The Northern 29 is designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
6.2 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 21.3′, the Northern 29 tops out around 6.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √21.3′ LWL = 6.2 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
192s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Ballast / Displacement
51.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
337
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Hull Speed
6.2kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
4lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Northern 29 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
C&C 29
Cal 29
Northern 29
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Islander 29
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Northern 29.
| Northern 29 | C&C 29 | Cal 2 29 | Cal 29 | Gulf Coast 29 | Islander 29 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 29.1 |
| LWL | 21.3 | — | 24.0 | 24.0 | 22.0 | 23.3 |
| Beam | 9.0 | — | 9.3 | 9.3 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Displacement | 7 | — | 8 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Ballast | 3 | — | 3 | 3 | — | 2 |
| Sail Area | — | — | 422 | 422 | 340 | 392 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 192 | 159 | — | 183 | — | 210 |
| SA/Disp | — | — | 16.9 | 16.9 | 12.2 | 16.0 |
| Bal/Disp | 51.7 | — | 41.9 | 41.9 | — | 32.1 |
| Comfort | — | — | 25.0 | 25.0 | 32.6 | 26.4 |
| Capsize | — | — | 1.85 | 1.85 | 1.70 | 1.78 |
| Hull Speed | — | — | 6.6 | 6.6 | 6.3 | 6.5 |