The North Beach 29 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 25.5′, the North Beach 29 tops out around 6.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √25.5′ LWL = 6.8 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
15.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Comfort Ratio
25.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.81
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
836lbs
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
25.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.81
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the North Beach 29 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Paceship 29 Cc
201s/nm
Soverel 28
222s/nm
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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.9 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.8 kts),
SA/D (15.9), 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 North Beach 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 North Beach 29.
|
North Beach 29 |
Freedom 28 Cat Ketch |
Northwind 29 Paceship |
Paceship 29 Cc |
Soverel 28 |
Sun Way 28 Cb Jeanneau |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
28.5 |
28.3 |
28.8 |
28.8 |
28.5 |
28.5 |
| LWL |
25.5 |
25.8 |
22.0 |
22.0 |
23.5 |
25.3 |
| Beam |
9.2 |
9.3 |
9.2 |
9.3 |
8.3 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
8 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
| Ballast |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
| Sail Area |
408 |
434 |
— |
— |
— |
387 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
— |
201 |
222 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
15.9 |
19.0 |
— |
— |
— |
16.8 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
54.3 |
48.2 |
48.6 |
18.0 |
34.4 |
| Comfort |
25.6 |
20.8 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| Capsize |
1.81 |
1.95 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.8 |
6.8 |
— |
— |
— |
— |