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Dragon Int
Designer: Johann Anker  ·  Builder: Abbott Boats Inc.  ·  First built: 1928
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About the Dragon Int

Originally designed by Norwegian naval architect Johann Anker in 1928, this elegant fractional sloop represents nearly a century of refined sailing heritage. The Dragon Int stands as a testament to classic yacht design principles, blending traditional aesthetics with proven performance characteristics that have made it a respected choice among discerning sailors. With its moderate displacement of 3,740 pounds and substantial ballast ratio, this 29-footer offers excellent stability for coastal cruising and club racing. The fin keel configuration and 286 square feet of sail area provide responsive handling while maintaining forgiving characteristics that suit both experienced sailors and those developing their skills. The boat's 22 comfort ratio suggests civilized motion in seaways, making longer passages more enjoyable. Construction options in both wood and fiberglass allow buyers to choose between traditional craftsmanship and modern durability. The relatively low capsize screening formula of 1.66 indicates good stability margins for coastal sailing, though the design is best suited for protected waters and nearshore adventures rather than extended offshore passages. Abbott Boats Inc.'s involvement in production has helped maintain build quality while preserving Anker's original design intent, creating a boat that balances performance, comfort, and timeless appeal for today's sailors.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.17 ft / 8.89 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 19.00 ft / 5.79 m
Beam 6.42 ft / 1.96 m
Max Draft 3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement 3,740.00 lb / 1,696 kg
Ballast 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 286.00 ft² / 26.57 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood or FG
Designer Johann Anker
Builder Abbott Boats Inc.
First Built 1928
Associations Dragon Class - International
Related Sailboats J/29 · New Bedford 29 · Cascade 29 · Shipman 28 · Contest 29
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.04
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
58.82
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
243.42
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
22
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.66
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 5.84 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.43
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 435.85 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.05
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 26.30 ft / 8.02 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 6.70 ft / 2.04 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 33.00 ft / 10.06 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
SA Fore 88.11 ft² / 8.19 m²
SA Main 198.00 ft² / 18.39 m²
SA Total (100%) 286.11 ft² / 26.58 m²
Est. Forestay Length 27.14 ft / 8.27 m
How It Compares

vs. Cascade 29, Contest 29, J/29, New Bedford 29, Shipman 28

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Dragon Int ★
29.2 ft
Cascade 29
29.0 ft
Contest 29
29.0 ft
J/29
29.0 ft
New Bedford 29
29.0 ft
Shipman 28
29.1 ft
LWL
Dragon Int ★
19.0 ft
Cascade 29
24.0 ft
Contest 29
24.0 ft
J/29
24.3 ft
New Bedford 29
22.5 ft
Shipman 28
21.0 ft
Beam
Dragon Int ★
6.4 ft
Cascade 29
8.2 ft
Contest 29
8.3 ft
J/29
10.7 ft
New Bedford 29
8.5 ft
Shipman 28
8.5 ft
Displacement
Dragon Int ★
3 lbs
Cascade 29
7 lbs
Contest 29
8 lbs
J/29
5 lbs
New Bedford 29
9 lbs
Shipman 28
6 lbs
Ballast
Dragon Int ★
2 lbs
Cascade 29
2 lbs
Contest 29
3 lbs
J/29
2 lbs
New Bedford 29
3 lbs
Shipman 28
2 lbs
Sail Area
Dragon Int ★
286 sq ft
Cascade 29
417 sq ft
Contest 29
J/29
392 sq ft
New Bedford 29
386 sq ft
Shipman 28
349 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Dragon Int ★
Cascade 29
230 s/nm
Contest 29
234 s/nm
J/29
New Bedford 29
Shipman 28
198 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Dragon Int ★
19.0
Cascade 29
17.5
Contest 29
6.9
J/29
21.3
New Bedford 29
13.8
Shipman 28
15.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Dragon Int ★
58.8 %
Cascade 29
31.7 %
Contest 29
38.8 %
J/29
40.5 %
New Bedford 29
Shipman 28
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Dragon Int ★
22.0
Cascade 29
27.7
Contest 29
J/29
22.1
New Bedford 29
34.7
Shipman 28
25.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Dragon Int ★
1.66
Cascade 29
1.67
Contest 29
J/29
1.76
New Bedford 29
1.61
Shipman 28
1.82
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Dragon Int ★
243
Cascade 29
242
Contest 29
274
J/29
97
New Bedford 29
Shipman 28
Hull Speed
Dragon Int ★
5.8 kts
Cascade 29
6.6 kts
Contest 29
J/29
7.5 kts
New Bedford 29
6.4 kts
Shipman 28
6.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Dragon Int ★
2.4
Cascade 29
2.3
Contest 29
J/29
New Bedford 29
Shipman 28
1.5
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