Design and Construction
C&C Yachts built the C&C 29 in fiberglass with a solid hull and a lead ballast of 2,700 pounds set in a 5.25-foot fin keel, while the shoal-draft version draws just 4.0 feet. At 7,500 pounds displacement and a 10-foot-4-inch beam over a 23-foot-6-inch waterline, she is a moderately loaded 29-footer. A defining move by the designers was shifting hull volume from below the waterline to the topside, and former C&C sales manager Hank Evans described the resulting topside flare as rather extreme. That flare gives the deckhouse and berths their width but also shapes the boat's on-the-wind behavior.
Rig and Handling
The masthead sloop rig stands on a 39.5-foot foretriangle with a 12.8-foot base, carrying a 169-square-foot mainsail and a 253-square-foot jib or genoa for a total of 422 square feet of sail. Her PHRF average of 177 and a hull speed of 6.51 knots place her firmly in the club-racer band. Owners report that the hull is tender and tends to develop weather helm, a direct consequence of the volume-forward topside geometry rather than any rig defect. The spade rudder and fin keel give her a quick turn of speed, but she asks for an attentive hand in a breeze.
Accommodations
Below, the C&C 29 sleeps six. The L-shaped galley sits to starboard just forward of the companionway ladder and is fitted with a stove, ice box, and sink, while opposite it to port is the navigation station. The head is placed just aft of the bow cabin, a layout that keeps the forepeak sleeping area serviceable without a long walk through the main saloon. The beam carried well forward by the topside flare pays off here as usable cabin width.
Known Issues
The known handling traits — tenderness and weather helm — are inherent to the design's volume distribution and are managed through sail trim rather than repair.
Refits and Ownership
The Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine of 30 horsepower drives a direct shaft and draws from a 13-gallon tank, a simple and well-understood package for an owner to service. With 20 gallons of water capacity and a racer-cruiser brief, the boat suits a sailor who values light-air responsiveness and cabin volume over heavy-weather passivity. Buyers should note that C&C also produced an unrelated C&C 29-2 sold under the same name; the two are distinct designs and should not be confused when comparing specifications.
The Verdict
The C&C 29 is a purpose-built racer-cruiser from the late-1970s C&C era: quick, roomy for her length, and rewarding to sail by a crew that trims actively. Her extreme topside flare is the key to both her interior volume and her lively helm, and an owner who accepts that trade will find a well-built fiberglass boat with straightforward systems.
Pros
- Six berths with a wide beam carried forward for a 29-footer
- L-shaped galley and dedicated navigation station in a compact layout
- Universal Atomic 4 power and simple direct drive
Cons
- Tender hull form with pronounced weather helm
- Shallow 13-gallon fuel and 20-gallon water capacity for extended cruising
- Unrelated C&C 29-2 shares the model name and can confuse spec comparisons
