The Zap 29 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 22.5′, the Zap 29 tops out around 6.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √22.5′ LWL = 6.4 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
125s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
44.9%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
129
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Hull Speed
6.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Zap 29 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Zap 29
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
C&C 29
Mirage 29
Cal 29
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Zap 29.
| Zap 29 | C&C 29 | Cal 2 29 | Cal 29 | J/29 | Mirage 29 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 |
| LWL | 22.5 | — | 24.0 | 24.0 | 24.3 | 24.3 |
| Beam | 9.3 | — | 9.3 | 9.3 | 10.7 | 10.5 |
| Displacement | 3 | — | 8 | 8 | 5 | 6 |
| Ballast | 1 | — | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Sail Area | — | — | 422 | 422 | 392 | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 125 | 159 | — | 183 | — | 174 |
| SA/Disp | — | — | 16.9 | 16.9 | 21.3 | — |
| Bal/Disp | 44.9 | — | 41.9 | 41.9 | 40.5 | 33.8 |
| Comfort | — | — | 25.0 | 25.0 | 22.1 | — |
| Capsize | — | — | 1.85 | 1.85 | 1.76 | — |
| Hull Speed | — | — | 6.6 | 6.6 | 7.5 | — |