BoatsCal 29

Cal 29

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1968–1974

A prolific Lapworth design with over 1000 hulls produced, balancing a masthead rig with a nimble fin keel and spade rudder

Designed by C. William Lapworth, built by Jensen Marine.

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

See her sail

The Cal 29, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from American Sailing

Is it for you?

Character

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

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 25 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 25
CoastalBluewater

1.85 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.85
LightHeavy

258 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 258
EasygoingPowered-up

16.9 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.9
TenderStiff

42% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 42%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

What the fleet has seen

The Cal 29, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Cal 29 is a masthead sloop designed by C. William Lapworth and built by Jensen Marine from 1968 to 1974. With an 8.8 m LOA, 2.8 m beam, 1.4 m draft, and 3628 kg displacement, it was one of Jensen Marine's most popular models. The Cal 2-29 was a variant offering additional standard features; both versions were built concurrently, with over 1000 units produced in total. Randy Stafford, an American Sailing member, learned to sail on a Cal 29 in Southern California.4:24

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The record

Full specifications

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

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
41.9%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.9
Displacement / length
258.4
Comfort ratio
25.0
Capsize screening
1.85
Hull speed
6.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
793
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1968–1974
Units built
624
Designer
C. William Lapworth
Builder
Jensen Marine, Bangor Punta Corp

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

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.

Cal 2-298.84 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthAn upgraded cruising variant of the standard 29, featuring enhanced equipment and a masthead rig
Learning how to Solo Sail on a 2-29 Cal | SMLS S9E05from Sailing Miss Lone Star
Islander Yachts Bahama 309.12 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA 1973-1985 production masthead sloop sharing its hull with the Islander 30 MKII and featuring a balanced fin keel
Diesel Overheating Dinghy Pump Hack3:07from Practical Sailor
Catalina Yachts 288.69 mSame hull family0.2 m shorterA 1991 masthead sloop featuring a 38% ballast ratio and multiple configurations including wing keel and tall rig options
Can You Do the Great Loop for $20,0007:25from Practical Sailor
Pearson Yachts 309.08 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Bill Shaw-designed masthead sloop with over 1,000 hulls built, balancing a stiff 43% ballast ratio for coastal cruising
Pearson 30 Sailboat Reviewfrom Practical Sailor
Lancer 30-28.99 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA masthead sloop derived from the original C&C 30 moulds, offering a stable fin-keel platform for coastal cruising
FALL BOAT AUCTION 2023: Where to buy a SUPER CHEAP sailboat! - EP3114:25from Sailing Solé
Ranger Yachts 29 (Mull)8.71 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1970s masthead sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, offering a balanced 1.98 capsize screening for coastal cruising
EP#328 San Diego Sailing with Justin14:43from Sailing Into Oblivion

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Cal 2-29An upgraded cruising variant of the standard 29, featuring enhanced equipment and a masthead rigCal 28Originally marketed as the California 28, this early masthead sloop features a fin keel and spade rudder configurationCal 27The original of three distinct Lapworth designs, this masthead sloop features a high ballast ratio for stiff sailingCal 2-30A distinct fractional sloop design from Lapworth, featuring a fin keel and spade rudder for balanced handlingCal Boats 30Offered with an optional tall rig, this masthead sloop served as the predecessor to the 2-30 seriesCal 2-27The second of three distinct Lapworth 27-footers, this masthead sloop was also marketed as the Canadian-built Crown 28

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