Design and Construction
Johnson’s 29 is built around a solid fiberglass hull and deck, with the lead ballast encapsulated inside the keel structure rather than bolted on externally. Two keel configurations were offered: a fixed long keel drawing 4.25 feet, and a long keel with a retractable centerboard that draws 7.25 feet when extended and just 3.42 feet retracted, both carrying the same 4,800-pound ballast. That shallow fixed draft lets the boat reach coastal anchorages and gunkholes closed to deeper yachts. The boat is well built and has good quality fittings and systems, and a centerboard version was also available for sailors wanting weatherly performance without sacrificing a shoal-draft retreat.
Rig and Handling
The 29 wears a cutter rig as standard, with an optional masthead sloop rig. The cutter pairs a bowsprit, mainsail, 125 percent genoa, and staysail for 491 square feet of canvas; the sloop substitutes a larger genoa for 494 square feet. Aluminum spars carry internally mounted halyards to dedicated winches, while sheet winches, a mainsheet traveler, a boom vang with integral preventer, and twin backstays complete the deck plan. Harken roller furling serves the jib and automatic winch reefing the mainsail, making the easily handled cutter rig adaptable to a wide range of wind strengths without resorting to a crew on the foredeck. Her displacement-length ratio of 291 and sail-area-displacement ratio near 16 place her firmly in the comfortable cruiser camp; she is not fast or agile, particularly to windward, where the wide beam and full keel blunt her progress.
Accommodations
Below, the 29 belies her length. A forward V-berth cabin leads aft to a U-shaped galley and a saloon with a fold-down table and settees that convert to berths, while a large quarter berth aft and a head with shower round out sleeping for up to six. The interior is finished in teak and holly, with nine opening ports, five deck hatches, and two Dorade vents providing light and airflow. Many owners have praised the boat’s roominess and durability alongside her seakeeping, and the layout’s volume reflects a design priority on liveability at anchor and on passage.
Known Issues
Some reviewers have noted the 29’s common problems with chain plates, a point worth weighing against the otherwise solid construction record. The same reviewers also flagged her slow speed, though that is inherent to the heavy cruiser formula rather than a defect.
The Verdict
The Island Packet 29 is a purpose-built coastal and offshore cruiser for sailors who value comfort, volume, and seakindly motion over outright pace. Her shoal-draft keel or centerboard variant, straightforward cutter rig, and well-finished interior make her a sensible pocket cruiser, provided a buyer budgets for chainplate scrutiny.
Pros
- Encapsulated lead ballast and solid construction with quality systems
- Shoal 4.25-foot draft, or centerboard for 3.42-foot retracted shoalage
- Roomy interior sleeping six with teak-and-holly finish and strong ventilation
- Easily managed cutter rig with roller furling and winch reefing
Cons
- Not fast or agile to windward; slow by racer standards
- Documented chainplate concerns noted by reviewers
