The Snapdragon 29 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, 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 24.0′, the Snapdragon 29 tops out around 6.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.0′ LWL = 6.6 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
12.6
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
40.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
242
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
22.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.94
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
815lbs
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
22.7
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
1.94
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 Snapdragon 29 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Cal 29
183s/nm
Northern 29
192s/nm
Contest 29
234s/nm
Bayfield 29
237s/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° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.2 |
3.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Run150–180° |
2.5 |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.6 kts),
SA/D (12.6), 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 Snapdragon 29 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–24 kts
24–34 kts
34+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–24 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
24–34 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
34+ 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 Snapdragon 29.
|
Snapdragon 29 |
Bayfield 29 |
Cal 29 |
Contest 29 |
Gk 29 Westerly |
Northern 29 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
29.0 |
| LWL |
24.0 |
21.8 |
24.0 |
24.0 |
27.6 |
21.3 |
| Beam |
9.5 |
10.2 |
9.3 |
8.3 |
10.3 |
9.0 |
| Displacement |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
7 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
| Sail Area |
300 |
468 |
422 |
— |
— |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
237 |
183 |
234 |
— |
192 |
| SA/Disp |
12.6 |
18.0 |
16.9 |
6.9 |
— |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
40.0 |
35.3 |
41.9 |
38.8 |
50.0 |
51.7 |
| Comfort |
22.7 |
25.0 |
25.0 |
31.0 |
14.8 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.94 |
2.00 |
1.85 |
1.62 |
2.28 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.6 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
7.0 |
— |