Bayfield 29 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Writing in Canadian Boating, the reviewer described the 29 as traditional in appearance as a fiberglass production yacht can be, with a springy sheer concluding in a bowsprit platform and a high silhouette. The underwater shape carries a deep forefoot and a long, full keel with attached rudder, while the bow sections are fairly full and the beam compares with those of some larger performance-oriented yachts. The design specified 7,100 pounds displacement, but Bayfield’s president Jake Rogerson noted the boat was actually built heavier and stronger, placing real displacement around 8,500 pounds. The keel shape is molded with the hull and the ballast lowered in; the anodized aluminum mast steps on a plywood block glassed in as a semi-structural floor on the keel. Stanchions are sturdy and well secured, set slightly inboard on solid backing plates, which marginally narrows deck working space. Inner shrouds attach to the house sides and rarely leak; outer shrouds pass through the deck. The interior teak is left unfinished, as on all Bayfields, though Rogerson recommended finishing it for longevity.

Rig and Handling

The cutter rig distributes modest sail area with a staysail and topsail rather than a single headsail, and no spinnaker provision was built in. Testers found the topsail must squeeze between forestay and staysail without a tacking line, and the staysail cleat fouled the topsail sheet on tacks; Rogerson countered that systematic tacking—staysail first, topsail last after the main—solves it. The mainsheet runs to a short traveler on the aft coaming and brushes a wheel helmsman. Owners report she sails remarkably well in light air, is not race-boat fast, but better than expected from a full-keel cutter, and is quite stiff and dry through the twenties with three-to-four foot waves. A second deep reef extends capability; she is happy in heavier weather with a reef by 20 knots. Testers met considerable weather helm, which Rogerson said is trimmed out by boom-to-leeward mainsail. Under power she turns within her own length.

Accommodations

The 29 abandons the v-berth, freeing forward space for an unusually large head with molded shower sump, a hanging locker, and a huge anchor locker. The head even carries a small cushioned seat. A centerline folding table with bottle rack sits amidships, flanked by a starboard pull-out double and port settee; sliding teak dividers add privacy. Aft, a half bulkhead separates starboard galley from port chart table, with quarter berths behind—starboard plenty long, port a bit short. Four opening ports and a head hatch ventilate. A 5'10" owner has standing headroom throughout. The long cabin trunk yields volume but a short cockpit; side decks are wide and lifelines safely high. Teak is gloomy to some. Settees as couches are narrow, but as bunks they are very comfortable. Deep bilge stores canned goods and chain.

Known Issues

Cockpit drainage is weak: the owner reports it holds tremendous water with only two small ~1.5-inch drains. The mainsail halyard snags on lazyjacks. The icebox melts ice fast. Taylor’s chainplates leaked but were corrected; show-boat bobstay tang and jaw mismatched, though Rogerson claimed no failures. The head lacked a modeled fitting, since corrected. Countertop insulation was lacking on early boats; later hulls got two-part foam. The brass faucet was remounted to fix a shallow-sink issue.

Refits and Ownership

Clive Taylor removed the starboard berth for a larger galley. Engine access is excellent via cockpit hatch and companionway steps; one east-coast boat had its engine on deck in half an hour. The Yanmar 2GM (~13 hp, 35-amp alt) is serviceable. A wheel-steering option places the helmsman on a raised seat but squeezes him when standing; tiller frees him from the sheet but eats legroom.

The Verdict

The Bayfield 29 is a sturdy, ocean-capable cruiser for couples or singlehanders, trading speed for volume, shallow draft, and a clever chainplate-free forecabin. Weak cockpit drainage and minor rig frictions are offset by superb engine access and a timeless layout.

Pros