Design and Construction
The Finnsailer 29 measures 26.17 feet on the waterline, with a beam of 9.16 feet and a displacement of 8,960 pounds. Her long-keel hull is built of solid fiberglass, with an attached rudder and a draft that varies from 1.12 to 1.22 meters depending on load.
A length-to-beam ratio of 3.20 makes her slimmer than 62% of similar sailboat designs. Her displacement-length ratio of 249 places her among what one review called “moderate racers,” although that description sits somewhat awkwardly with the rest of the design. The 2,900 pounds of iron ballast amounts to 29% of displacement, a ratio higher than only 4% of comparable boats. That reflects the motorsailer’s weight-forward hull philosophy rather than racing ballast practice.
The immersion rate is about 148 kg per centimeter (830 pounds per inch), indicating a hull that settles predictably as cruising stores come aboard. A wetted surface of roughly 23 square meters also helps define her motion in a seaway.
Rig, Handling, and Engine
The Finnsailer 29 has a masthead rig with a mainsail-and-jib area of 27.6 square meters, or 297 square feet. Period analysis described her as significantly overrigged, carrying more rig than 82% of similar sailboats.
Her sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 10.3 using the ISO reference sail and 12.2 with a 135% genoa. Even so, those figures leave her faster than only 4% of comparable designs in light wind. The numbers support her motorsailer role: when the breeze fades, the engine is expected to take over.
A capsize screening value of 1.70 and a Motion Comfort Ratio of 29.6 describe a stable, easy-riding hull. That comfort ratio is higher than those of 85% of similar designs.
Power comes from a shaft-drive Perkins diesel. The 37 hp Perkins 4.108 M is listed as a possible fit, while specification records also show a 50 hp Perkins. Calculated maximum speed is about 7.3 knots, compared with a theoretical hull speed of 6.8 knots.
Accommodation and Tankage
Below, the Finnsailer 29 sleeps six in a layout that includes a galley and toilet facility. Fresh-water capacity is 300 liters (about 79 US gallons), matched by a 300-liter fuel tank. That substantial tankage supports the boat’s motorsailer brief on longer passages.
Refits and Ownership
The simple solid-fiberglass hull and long-keel configuration should make ownership relatively straightforward. The inboard diesel and shaft drive form a conventional, serviceable arrangement.
The masthead rig also uses standard sizes that are easy to renew. Halyards measure 21.6 meters by 8 mm, while sheets range from around 8.9 to 22.2 meters and are 10 mm in diameter.
The Verdict
The Finnsailer 29 is a modest, well-mannered motorsailer. Her solid-fiberglass long-keel hull and comfortable motion profile suit relaxed cruising better than spirited sailing. Although the masthead sail plan is significantly overrigged compared with similar boats, her low light-air speed ratio confirms that she was built to motor when the breeze fails, not to outrun her peers.
For a buyer seeking a stable, simple 29-foot cruiser with six berths and serious tankage, she remains a sensible period design.
Pros
- Motion Comfort Ratio higher than those of 85% of similar designs
- Solid-fiberglass long-keel hull with predictable immersion
- Six berths, a galley, a head, and 300-liter capacities for both water and fuel
Cons
- Ballast ratio higher than those of only 4% of similar designs
- Sail-area-to-displacement figures leave her faster than just 4% of comparable boats in light wind
- Significantly overrigged relative to 82% of comparable boats
