29er

For the type of mountain bike, see 29er (bicycle).

Current Specifications
File:29er going out.jpg
120x60px Class Symbol
Crew	2 (single trapeze)
LOA	4.40 m (14.4 ft)
Beam	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Hull weight	90 kg (200 lb)
Mast height	7,626 mm (300.2 in)
Main & Jib area	13.19 m2 (142.0 sq ft)
Spinnaker area	16.83 m2 (181.2 sq ft)
RYA PN	924
Infobox last updated: 11 August 2009

The 29er is a high performance skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite and first produced in 1998. It is targeted at youth, especially those training to sail the larger 49er. It has a single trapeze and an asymmetric spinnaker much like that of the 49er (although smaller). The popular boat is considered a more rapid alternative to the Laser 2 and has an international racing class devoted to it. The kite rigging set-up challenges crews to be fit and coordinated, and manoeuvres in the boat require athleticism. It is quickly becoming a very popular youth dinghy class, with people from the RS Feva, etc. coming into them.

Recently, Bethwaite has been working in San Francisco with Jen Glass designing the 29erXX, with increased sail area and double trapeze with the same hull.

The 2007 world championships were held in Argentina. An Argentinian team of Matías Gainza and Federico Villambrosa won the event. World championships have been held annually since 2000. The 29er is able to reach high speeds fairly quickly by having a sleek and hydrodynamic hull and will often exceed the wind speed when planing both up and downwind.

References

• 29er.org
• German 29er Association
• British 29er Association
• North American Class Page
• Danish 29er Association
• Ovington Boats
• Bethwaite Design
• (French) Site Team/29er
• Swiss 29er Assosiation
• (Dutch) 29er Class Organisation