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Whiting 29
Designer: Paul Whiting  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Whiting 29

Designed by Paul Whiting and built between 1979 and 1990, this 29-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small-boat cruising with performance characteristics that appeal to discerning sailors. With only 50 hulls produced during its eleven-year production run, the Whiting 29 has developed a devoted following among those who appreciate quality construction and sailing refinement. The boat's fractional sloop rig and fin keel with spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and good upwind performance, while the substantial ballast ratio of nearly 47% provides reassuring stability for coastal and offshore passages. At 7,500 pounds displacement, she offers enough heft for comfortable motion in a seaway without sacrificing the lively sailing characteristics that make smaller boats enjoyable. The design strikes an appealing balance between cruising comfort and sailing performance. Her moderate sail area to displacement ratio suggests she'll move well in light to moderate conditions while remaining manageable when the breeze pipes up. The low comfort ratio indicates a relatively quick motion, typical of performance-oriented designs, while the favorable capsize screening number reflects good stability characteristics suitable for extended coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.25 ft / 8.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.28 ft / 7.40 m
Beam 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 7,500.00 lb / 3,402 kg
Ballast 3,501.00 lb / 1,588 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 426.00 ft² / 39.58 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Paul Whiting
First Built 1979
Last Built 1990
Number Built 50
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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
 17.85
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
 46.68
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
 233.92
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
 20.27
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
 2.1
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. 6.60 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
 2.42
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. 889.24 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. 17.84
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 34.88 ft / 10.63 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
SA Fore 191.84 ft² / 17.82 m²
SA Main 234.00 ft² / 21.74 m²
SA Total (100%) 425.84 ft² / 39.56 m²
Est. Forestay Length 36.57 ft / 11.15 m
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