Sailing Performance & Handling
The C&C 29-2 is celebrated for its responsiveness and "dinghy-like" feel at the helm, a characteristic of Rob Ball’s design philosophy. With a Sail Area to Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of approximately 17.2, the boat is energetic in light air, yet its ballast-to-displacement ratio of nearly 40% ensures it remains stiff and capable when the breeze freshens. The hull features a fine entry for punching through chop and a flattened aft section that assists in off-wind stability.
On the racecourse, the 29-2 typically carries a PHRF rating between 170 and 180, making it a perennial favorite for club racing. Handling is significantly improved over the Mark I due to the 29-2’s deeper, higher-aspect rudder and the availability of a 5' 3" deep fin keel, though a 3' 7" shoal draft version was also produced for thin-water regions like the Chesapeake Bay. Under power, most units are equipped with a Yanmar 2GM20F diesel, which provides ample thrust and reliability for a vessel of its weight class.
Interior Comfort & Variations
Unlike the narrower "pinched" sterns of earlier IOR designs, the C&C 29-2 utilizes its beam more effectively to create an interior that feels considerably larger than its 29-foot length suggests. The layout is a classic "main-cabin-forward" arrangement but with updated ergonomics. It features a full 6 feet of headroom, which was a significant selling point for the model in the mid-1980s.
The interior is finished with the high-quality teak joinery that became a C&C trademark. To port, an L-shaped galley provides a two-burner stove and a deep icebox, while the starboard side houses a dedicated navigation station—a luxury rarely found on modern 29-footers. The main salon accommodates two settees, one of which converts to a double berth, complemented by a forward V-berth and a surprisingly usable starboard quarter berth. While no significant hull-length siblings exist, the 29-2 was developed alongside the C&C 27 Mark IV and the C&C 30 Mark II, sharing similar aesthetic cues and construction methods across the "Mark II" generation of the fleet.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers of a C&C 29-2 should focus their inspection on the specific construction methods used by the Niagara-on-the-Lake factory during the 1980s.
- Balsa Core Integrity: Like many C&C models, the 29-2 features a balsa-cored deck and hull (above the waterline). Moisture intrusion around stanchion bases, chainplates, and the mast step is the most common high-cost repair. Tapping the deck with a phenolic hammer or using a moisture meter is essential.
- The "Smile" (Keel Joint): Inspect the leading edge of the keel-to-hull joint. If a "smile" or crack is present, it may indicate loose keel bolts or compression issues in the internal grid, though often it is simply a cosmetic failure of the fairing compound.
- Mast Step Corrosion: The mast sits on a steel or aluminum step located in the bilge. Over decades, standing water can lead to galvanic corrosion of the step or the base of the mast itself.
- Rudder Delamination: The foam-filled fiberglass rudder can trap water over time, leading to internal saturation and eventual delamination or freezing/cracking in northern climates.
Community & Resources
The C&C 29-2 benefits from one of the most robust owner networks in the marine industry. The C&C Photo Album & Resource Center serves as a comprehensive technical wiki, hosting original brochures, owner manuals, and specific maintenance logs for the 29-2 model. Owners also frequently congregate within the C&C Yachts Association, which hosts regional rendezvous and provides technical support for maintaining these "classic plastic" vessels.
The Verdict
The C&C 29-2 remains one of the most balanced small cruisers on the second-hand market, offering a level of build quality and sailing performance that modern entry-level boats struggle to match.
Pros:
- Exceptional Performance: Excellent light-air speed and pointability for its class.
- Build Quality: High-quality interior cabinetry and robust hardware.
- Timeless Aesthetics: The sleek, low-profile deckhouse remains visually appealing decades later.
- Ergonomics: A large, T-shaped cockpit that works well for both racing and entertaining.
Cons:
- Core Maintenance: Balsa-coring requires vigilant re-bedding of deck hardware to prevent rot.
- Aging Systems: Original plumbing and electrical wiring often require modernization for extended cruising.
- Keel Bolt Access: Accessing the aft keel bolts can be tight due to the interior floor liner configuration.
