Design and Construction
The Evasion 29's hull is a solid fiberglass layup carrying 8,818 lbs of displacement, with 40 percent of that weight held in a 3,527 lb iron ballast package. The 28.87-foot LOA and 10.17-foot beam give the hull a moderate, beamy footprint, and the long fin keel with skeg-hung rudder underpins the boat's directional stability. The sail area/displacement ratio sits around 18, and with a hull speed of 6.7 knots the design reads as a moderate-displacement cruiser built to carry a comfortable interior load without fuss. Beneteau framed the 29 as a luxurious motorsailor, and the construction choices — solid glass rather than cored hull, protected rudder on a skeg — favor durability over weight-saving ambition.
Rig and Handling
Depending on the version, the Evasion 29 carries either a cutter rig or a masthead sloop, and the builder cited a generous sail area, reported at roughly 490 square feet. That canvas, spread on a 25.2-foot waterline, lets the boat achieve a sail area/displacement ratio near 18, which the manufacturer characterized as delivering remarkable all-round sailing performance. The same authority described the hull as dry and stiff to the canvas, a trait that suits a motorsailer expected to make easy miles under sail in a variety of conditions. The skeg-mounted rudder and long fin keel contribute to predictable tracking rather than twitchy responsiveness.
Accommodations
Below, the Evasion 29 lays out a forward V-berth, a spacious salon with a convertible dinette, and an aft cabin or berth, allowing it to sleep four to six comfortably. Headroom is generous at around 6 feet, and the boat includes a functional navigation station and an enclosed head with shower. The galley sits aft near the companionway and is equipped with a stove, sink, and storage — a practical placement that keeps the cook close to the cockpit for passage watch. The arrangement favors livable volume over racing minimalism, consistent with the boat's motorsailer brief.
Power and Specifications
The Evasion 29 typically carries a diesel engine of around 30 HP, commonly a Volvo Penta MD11C, with fuel capacity of about 40 gallons and water capacity of about 53 gallons. Those tankages support the motorsailer concept: the boat can lean on its auxiliary for sustained passages while keeping a credible sail plan for quieter conditions.
The Verdict
The Evasion 29 is a purpose-built motorsailer from the early Beneteau cruising era: solidly constructed, roomy for its length, and blessed with a sail plan the builder rated as both generous and all-round capable. Its long fin keel and skeg rudder make for forgiving handling, and the interior delivers genuine cruising accommodation. The modest sail area/displacement ratio and moderate hull speed place it firmly in the comfortable-cruiser camp rather than the swift-passage tier.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull with long fin keel and skeg-mounted rudder for durability and tracking
- Roomy layout sleeping four to six with around 6 feet of headroom
- Generous sail area with reported all-round sailing performance and dry, stiff helm behavior
- Practical aft galley near companionway with enclosed head and navigation station
Cons
- Moderate displacement and sail area/displacement near 18 limit outright speed
- Early-1980s motorsailer design trades racing agility for comfort
