Back to Search
Solus 29
Designer: Bjarne Marcussen  ·  Builder: Solus Boats (Den)  ·  First built: 1978
+ Add to Compare
About the Solus 29

Danish designer Bjarne Marcussen created this compact cruiser in 1978, with Solus Boats producing just 50 examples of this thoughtfully designed 29-footer. Built with fiberglass construction and featuring a fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration, the Solus 29 offers a balanced approach to coastal cruising and club racing. The boat's moderate displacement of 6,614 pounds and substantial ballast ratio provide reassuring stability, while the masthead sloop rig delivers respectable performance with 398 square feet of sail area. Her beam of 9.68 feet creates adequate interior volume for weekend cruising, though accommodations remain cozy by modern standards. The 5.25-foot draft allows access to most harbors while providing good windward ability. With a comfort ratio of 19.62, the Solus 29 falls into the moderate range, making her suitable for coastal passages and protected waters rather than extended offshore voyaging. The capsize screening formula of 2.07 indicates reasonable seaworthiness for her intended use. Her SA/displacement ratio of 18.13 suggests adequate light-air performance while maintaining manageable sail handling characteristics. Today, these Danish-built boats represent solid value for sailors seeking a well-constructed vintage cruiser with European styling and proven seakeeping abilities for coastal adventures.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.54 ft / 8.70 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.95 ft / 7.30 m
Beam 9.68 ft / 2.95 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 6,614.00 lb / 3,000 kg
Ballast 3,086.00 lb / 1,400 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 398.00 ft² / 36.98 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bjarne Marcussen
Builder Solus Boats (DEN)
First Built 1978
Number Built 50
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

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
 18.13
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 46.66
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
 214.93
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
 19.62
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
 2.07
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. 6.56 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. 828.38 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Bukh
Engine Model DV 8
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 8
Fuel Capacity 11 gals / 42 L
Water Capacity 21 gals / 79 L
Find a Solus 29 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace