The Pinnacle 29 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and respectable in club racing.
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 Pinnacle 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.
PHRF Rating
93s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
23.6
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Comfort Ratio
13.0
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.52
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
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
13.0
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
2.52
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
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pinnacle 29 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Pinnacle 29
93s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Pinnacle 30
93s/nm
Olson 911 S
126s/nm
Santana 30 30Gp
171s/nm
Catalina 30 Mkii
186s/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° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
6.8 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.4 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.8 kts),
SA/D (23.6), 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 Pinnacle 29 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 Pinnacle 29.
|
Pinnacle 29 |
Catalina 30 Mkii |
J30 |
Olson 911 S |
Pinnacle 30 |
Santana 30 30Gp |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.8 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
29.9 |
| LWL |
25.5 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
25.5 |
25.4 |
| Beam |
11.2 |
10.8 |
11.2 |
10.3 |
11.2 |
10.3 |
| Displacement |
5 |
10 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
| Ballast |
2 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
— |
2 |
| Sail Area |
464 |
437 |
444 |
475 |
455 |
340 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
93 |
186 |
— |
126 |
93 |
171 |
| SA/Disp |
23.6 |
14.9 |
19.5 |
20.5 |
23.2 |
16.5 |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
41.2 |
— |
44.4 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
13.0 |
24.9 |
16.4 |
18.7 |
13.0 |
15.6 |
| Capsize |
2.52 |
2.00 |
2.34 |
2.14 |
2.52 |
2.26 |
| Hull Speed |
6.8 |
6.7 |
6.7 |
6.7 |
6.8 |
6.8 |