The Kelt 29 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 24.8′, the Kelt 29 tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.8′ LWL = 6.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.1
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
17.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.20
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
899lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
17.5
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.20
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.5 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 kts),
SA/D (16.1), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Kelt 29 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Kelt 29.
|
Kelt 29 |
Dehler 28 |
Etap 28I |
Feeling 29 |
Parker 275 |
Pogo 850 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
27.9 |
27.9 |
28.0 |
27.9 |
27.9 |
27.9 |
| LWL |
24.8 |
22.3 |
23.8 |
24.8 |
24.5 |
27.2 |
| Beam |
10.2 |
9.2 |
10.3 |
10.3 |
9.3 |
11.8 |
| Displacement |
6 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
— |
2 |
2 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
345 |
369 |
358 |
345 |
380 |
560 |
| Performance |
| SA/Disp |
16.1 |
19.0 |
17.1 |
16.1 |
19.6 |
26.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
40.0 |
— |
41.4 |
— |
30.4 |
| Comfort |
17.5 |
18.5 |
17.2 |
17.2 |
17.2 |
13.0 |
| Capsize |
2.20 |
2.08 |
2.24 |
2.23 |
2.10 |
2.58 |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.3 |
6.5 |
6.7 |
6.6 |
7.0 |