Whiting 29 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Whiting 29 is widely regarded as a "sailor’s boat," characterized by its exceptional light-air performance and responsiveness. Under sail, the boat benefits from a high sail area-to-displacement ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly in breezes where heavier cruisers might struggle. Its hull shape, influenced by the International Offshore Rule (IOR), features a somewhat pinched stern and a relatively deep fin keel, which provides excellent tracking and lift when beating to windward.

According to anecdotal reports from New Zealand racing archives, the Whiting 29 is "remarkably stiff" for its size, though like many IOR designs, it can become "twitchy" when running downwind in heavy seas, requiring an active hand on the helm to prevent rhythmic rolling. The boat’s balanced rudder provides significant feedback, making it an ideal trainer for those looking to master sail trim. While it was originally optimized for a large overlapping genoa, many modern owners have converted to non-overlapping headsails to simplify shorthanded handling, though this does sacrifice some of the boat’s legendary upwind "grunt."

Interior Comfort & Variations

For a 29-foot vessel designed with a performance pedigree, the Whiting 29 offers a surprisingly functional interior. The standard layout typically includes a V-berth forward, a central saloon with a folding table, a compact galley to starboard, and a dedicated navigation station. A key feature of the design is the inclusion of a generous quarter berth tucked aft on the port side, which serves as an excellent sea berth during coastal passages.

Materials used in the interior reflect the era's preference for teak or mahogany veneers paired with white molded headliners to brighten the cabin. Headroom is approximately 1.8 meters (6 feet) in the main saloon, which is impressive for a boat of this length and hull profile. The Whiting 29 was often sold as a "turn-key" production boat, but several hulls were finished by private owners, leading to variations in cabinetry quality and layout. Its siblings, the Whiting 26 and the larger Whiting 32, share the same design language, with the 32 offering a significantly more voluminous interior and a dedicated aft cabin, while the 26 is more of a focused "pocket rocket" with minimal amenities.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Whiting 29 is inextricably linked to the legacy of Paul Whiting, who gained international fame after his design Newspaper Taxi won the Half Ton Cup in 1977. The 29 is often discussed in regional New Zealand publications like Boating New Zealand as part of the "Golden Era" of Auckland boat building. The design’s cultural footprint is most significant within the New Zealand offshore racing community, where it is frequently cited as the boat that democratized high-performance sailing for the middle class during the late 1970s.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Whiting 29 should prioritize a structural survey focusing on the following areas common to New Zealand builds of this vintage:

• Mast Step Compression: The Whiting 29 utilizes a deck-stepped mast. Over decades, the support structure beneath the cabin sole or the deck core itself can compress, leading to rigging tension issues.
• Deck Core Integrity: Like many boats of the 1970s, the Whiting 29 often used balsa or foam coring for the decks. Check for "spongy" areas around the chainplates and stanchion bases, which indicate water ingress and rot.
• Keel Bolt Corrosion: The cast-iron or lead keel is attached with stainless steel bolts. Given the age of these vessels, these should be inspected for crevice corrosion, especially if the boat has a history of "groundings" in tidal New Zealand waters.
• Rudder Bushings: The spade rudder is prone to developing play in the bushings. While a relatively straightforward fix, excessive vibration at speed is a sign that the bearings require replacement.
• Original Engines: Many units were originally fitted with small Yanmar or Bukh diesel engines. If the original raw-water-cooled engine is still present, it likely nears the end of its service life and should be checked for internal scaling and manifold corrosion.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for Whiting 29 enthusiasts is the Whiting Owners Association (largely active in New Zealand), which provides technical advice and maintains a register of known hulls. Regional yacht clubs in Auckland and Wellington often have dedicated veterans of the Whiting fleet who possess deep institutional knowledge regarding the specific build nuances of these boats.

The Verdict

The Whiting 29 remains a premier choice for the budget-conscious sailor who refuses to sacrifice performance for comfort. It is a true "dual-purpose" boat that can win a club trophy on Saturday and host a family for a coastal cruise on Sunday.

Pros:

• Exceptional upwind performance and light-air agility.
• Robust construction capable of handling offshore coastal conditions.
• Classic "Kiwi" aesthetic with modern, clean lines for its age.
• Active secondary market and strong community support in Australasia.

Cons:

• IOR hull shape can be challenging to steer in a following sea.
• Limited interior volume compared to modern high-beam cruisers.
• Requires a knowledgeable owner to manage potential age-related deck core issues.