Design and Construction
The hull is solid fiberglass with an iron fin keel and a teak interior, the latter consistent with typical Scandinavian cruiser trim of the period. Ballast runs to 42 percent of displacement, and the length-to-beam ratio of 3.16 describes a hull with moderate beam rather than a beamy coastal hull. The displacement-length ratio of 247 and a motion comfort ratio of 22.7 place her in the firm-but-not-heavy end of the cruiser spectrum, while a capsize screening value of 1.91 and a wetted surface near 258 square feet round out a profile of a settled small offshore-capable cruiser. The design was also offered as a home-completed kit, which means the quality of finish and structural detailing on individual boats may vary home-completed boats vary in quality.
Rig and Handling
The Alpha 29 carries a fractional rig with a 408-square-foot sail plan, giving a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 17.1 on the ISO reference sail and 19.8 with a 135 percent genoa. The guiding control dimensions are period-standard: mainsail and headsail halyards of 96.9 feet at 5/16 inch, sheets of 29.3 feet at 3/8 inch, and a mainsheet of 73.3 feet at 3/8 inch. Under a 9-horsepower Yanmar diesel the boat makes 6.0 knots, just shy of the 6.5-knot theoretical displacement hull speed. An immersion rate of 764 pounds per inch and a relative speed performance of 69 describe a light-handed boat that responds to trim without punishing the crew.
Accommodations
Below, the Alpha 29 is laid out with three cabins and five to six berths, a galley, and a toilet facility. The teak interior gives the accommodation a warm, traditional feel without being ornate. The three-cabin arrangement on a 29-foot hull suggests a focused cruising interior — sleeping capacity spread across defined spaces rather than one open saloon — and the 29-gallon water and 12-gallon stainless-steel fuel tank support short coastal passages more than extended liveaboard range.
Known Issues
The principal ownership caveat is the boat's availability as a home-completed kit. Because some hulls were finished by their buyers rather than the yard, the consistency of bulkhead bonding, deck hardware bedding, and interior joinery cannot be assumed uniform across the fleet quality may vary by hull. A buyer or owner assessing any individual Alpha 29 should treat the structural and cosmetic finish as boat-specific until verified.
Refits and Ownership
The 1987 modification means early and late boats may differ in detail, though the nature of the change is not described in the available record. The stainless-steel fuel tank is a durable item, and the simple fractional rig with standard-size running rigging keeps spares and replacements straightforward. The modest engine output and light displacement make her an easy boat to handle on a mooring or in a slip, and the 5.4-to-5.7-foot draft dependent on load lets her into most marinas.
The Verdict
The Albin Alpha 29 is a quietly competent Norlin design: a moderate-beam, solid-glass cruiser with a forgiving motion profile and a practical three-cabin interior. The home-completed option is the one real asterisk on an otherwise well-resolved small cruiser.
Pros
- Peter Norlin design with settled sea-kindly numbers (capsize 1.91, comfort 22.7)
- Solid fiberglass hull and iron fin keel with low marina-limiting draft
- Three cabins and five to six berths in a teak-trimmed interior
- Simple fractional rig with standard rigging dimensions and a 6-knot diesel pace
Cons
- Home-completed hulls may show inconsistent build quality
- Modest 12-gallon fuel and 29-gallon water capacity limit range
- 1987 modification leaves early/late differences undocumented
