The Gk 29 Westerly is with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.0 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.6′, the Gk 29 Westerly tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.6′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
50.0%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
128
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
14.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.28
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
7.0kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
6lbs
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
14.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.28
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Gk 29 Westerly sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Sigma 292
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Gk 29 Westerly.
| Gk 29 Westerly | Cal 2 29 | Leisure 29 | Merlin 29 Westerly | Regatta 290 Westerly | Sigma 292 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.1 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 |
| LWL | 27.6 | 24.0 | 25.0 | 23.6 | 23.0 | 23.0 |
| Beam | 10.3 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.9 | 9.9 | 10.1 |
| Displacement | 6 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Ballast | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Sail Area | — | 422 | 265 | — | 330 | 412 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | — | — | 186 |
| SA/Disp | — | 16.9 | 11.1 | — | 13.6 | 18.8 |
| Bal/Disp | 50.0 | 41.9 | 44.9 | 38.8 | 43.3 | 40.9 |
| Comfort | 14.8 | 25.0 | 22.9 | — | 22.6 | 19.0 |
| Capsize | 2.28 | 1.85 | 1.89 | — | 2.01 | 2.15 |
| Hull Speed | 7.0 | 6.6 | 6.7 | — | 6.4 | 6.4 |