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Gulf Coast 29
Designer: Martin Bludworth  ·  Builder: Gulf Coast Sailboats (Usa)  ·  First built: 1972
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About the Gulf Coast 29

Designed by Martin Bludworth and launched in 1972, this 29-footer represents a classic era of American sailboat design when builders focused on creating capable coastal cruisers with honest sailing characteristics. Gulf Coast Sailboats produced this model with traditional fiberglass construction and a practical masthead sloop rig that prioritizes ease of handling over racing performance. The boat's substantial 9,500-pound displacement and moderate beam of 9 feet create a stable platform well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend adventures. With a fin keel and spade rudder configuration drawing 4.5 feet, the Gulf Coast 29 offers good directional stability while maintaining reasonable shallow-water accessibility for gunkholes and protected anchorages. Her comfort ratio of 32.63 indicates a motion that favors steadiness over speed, making her an excellent choice for sailors who prioritize a predictable ride in moderate conditions. The capsize screening value of 1.7 falls within acceptable ranges for coastal sailing, though this design is best kept closer to shore rather than venturing into offshore passages. With 340 square feet of sail area and a modest 12-horsepower auxiliary engine, the Gulf Coast 29 delivers the relaxed sailing experience that many cruising sailors seek, emphasizing comfort and reliability over outright performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.00 ft / 8.84 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 9,500.00 lb / 4,309 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 340.00 ft² / 31.59 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Martin Bludworth
Builder Gulf Coast Sailboats (USA)
First Built 1972
Related Sailboats ["Cal 29" · "Cal 2 29" · "Northern 29" · "C&C 29" · "Islander 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
12.17
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
398.3
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
32.63
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
1.7
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. 6.29 kn
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. 707.48 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Farymann
Engine Model A-30M
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 12
How It Compares

vs. C&C 29, Cal 2 29, Northern 29

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Gulf Coast 29 ★
29.0 ft
C&C 29
29.0 ft
Cal 2 29
29.0 ft
Northern 29
29.0 ft
LWL
Gulf Coast 29 ★
22.0 ft
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
24.0 ft
Northern 29
21.3 ft
Beam
Gulf Coast 29 ★
9.0 ft
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
9.3 ft
Northern 29
9.0 ft
Displacement
Gulf Coast 29 ★
9 lbs
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
8 lbs
Northern 29
7 lbs
Ballast
Gulf Coast 29 ★
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
3 lbs
Northern 29
3 lbs
Sail Area
Gulf Coast 29 ★
340 sq ft
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
422 sq ft
Northern 29
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Gulf Coast 29 ★
C&C 29
159 s/nm
Cal 2 29
Northern 29
192 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Gulf Coast 29 ★
12.2
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
16.9
Northern 29
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Gulf Coast 29 ★
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
41.9 %
Northern 29
51.7 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Gulf Coast 29 ★
32.6
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
25.0
Northern 29
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Gulf Coast 29 ★
1.70
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
1.85
Northern 29
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Gulf Coast 29 ★
398
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
258
Northern 29
337
Hull Speed
Gulf Coast 29 ★
6.3 kts
C&C 29
Cal 2 29
6.6 kts
Northern 29
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