BoatsOlson 29

Olson 29

Fractional Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · First built 1984

A high-performance fractional sloop derived from the Olson 30, featuring a refined keel, rudder, and transom design

Designed by George Olson, built by Pacific Boats Inc.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 10 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 10
CoastalBluewater

At 2.44 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.

Capsize screening 2.44
LightHeavy

77 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 77
EasygoingPowered-up

25.5 — a lot of sail for her weight; powered-up and eager, a real performer.

Sail area / displacement 25.5
TenderStiff

54% of her weight is ballast — very stiff, carrying full sail in a blow.

Ballast 54%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Lighter than ~90% of boats her size on file

Compared with 2450 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
54.2%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
25.5
Displacement / length
77.3
Comfort ratio
10.1
Capsize screening
2.44
Hull speed
7.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
917
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
First built 1984
Units built
25
Designer
George Olson
Builder
Pacific Boats Inc

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Beneteau First 3009.05 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Groupe Finot-designed fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio built for spirited club racing
J/29 FR8.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1982-1987 fractional sloop featuring a transom-hung rudder and a high 23.35 SA/displacement ratio for speed
Sunbeam 298.95 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Schoechl-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio, built for performance over two decades
Jeanneau Rush 319.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Ron Holland-designed IOR half-tonner that served as the official boat for the Tour de France à la Voile
Hunter Boats Horizon 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA David Thomas-designed fractional sloop with twin keels, offered in kit form for versatile shoal-water cruising
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 30i8.99 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Marc Lombard-designed fractional sloop built for coastal cruising with a balanced, modern hull form.

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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