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Vineyard Vixen 29
Designer: Thomas Hale & Son  ·  Builder: Martha's Vineyard Shipyard (Usa)  ·  First built: 1974
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About the Vineyard Vixen 29

Designed by the renowned Thomas Hale & Son and built by Martha's Vineyard Shipyard starting in 1974, this classic 30-footer represents traditional New England craftsmanship at its finest. The Vineyard Vixen 29 embodies the timeless appeal of a proper cruising sailboat, with her long keel configuration providing excellent directional stability and seakindly motion in challenging conditions. Her substantial displacement of 8,600 pounds and generous ballast-to-displacement ratio create a stiff, comfortable platform that inspires confidence in coastal and offshore passages. The masthead sloop rig with 365 square feet of sail area delivers respectable performance while remaining manageable for short-handed sailing. Her moderate beam and deep draft reflect the designer's emphasis on seaworthiness over interior volume. The impressive comfort ratio of 30.74 indicates exceptional motion comfort, while the conservative capsize screening value of 1.66 suggests good offshore capability. Built during the height of the quality fiberglass era, these boats earned a reputation for solid construction and longevity. The Vineyard Vixen 29 appeals to sailors seeking a traditional aesthetic combined with proven seaworthiness, making her an excellent choice for serious coastal cruising and occasional offshore ventures where comfort and safety take precedence over speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.63 ft / 9.03 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 23.00 ft / 7.01 m
Beam 8.50 ft / 2.59 m
Max Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 8,600.00 lb / 3,901 kg
Ballast 3,240.00 lb / 1,470 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 365.00 ft² / 33.91 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Thomas Hale & Son
Builder Martha's Vineyard Shipyard (USA)
First Built 1974
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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
 13.96
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
 37.67
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
 315.55
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
 30.74
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
 1.66
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. 6.43 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.4
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. 698.54 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 13.98
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.80 ft / 10.61 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.30 ft / 3.44 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.70 ft / 9.36 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
SA Fore 196.62 ft² / 18.27 m²
SA Main 168.85 ft² / 15.69 m²
SA Total (100%) 365.47 ft² / 33.95 m²
Est. Forestay Length 36.59 ft / 11.15 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 15
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