Carrera 290 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · bulb

Rig

Fractional Sloop

LOA

29.17' · 8.89 m

Displ.

2,950 lbs · 1,338 kg

First year

1992

The Carrera 290 is a highperformance racercruiser that represents a pivotal era in American yacht design, specifically the late 1980s shift toward "sportboats" that could still provide basic overnight accommodations. Designed by the legendary Rod Johnstone—the naval architect behind the J/Boats empire—and built by Carrera Yachts in Florida, the 290 was an evolution of the earlier Carrera 28. It was engineered to be a "PHRF killer," a boat capable of winning under handicap systems while remaining manageable for a small crew. With its slender waterline, generous sail plan, and light displacement, the 290 is often categorized as a "lead mine" with the heart of a dinghy, offering a visceral sailing experience that many modern cruisers have sacrificed for interior volume.