Design and Construction
The Yamaha 29 has a solid fiberglass monohull, solid fiberglass deck, and fin keel. She displaces 6,393 pounds, including 2,293 pounds of lead ballast. Beam is 10 feet, draft is 4 feet 11 inches, and the waterline measures 22 feet 6 inches.
Finot gave the boat a center cockpit, an unusual arrangement at this length. It trades the simplicity of an aft cockpit for more protected access to the helm and a divided layout belowdecks.
Rig and Handling
The masthead sloop rig has a foretriangle measuring 34 feet 8 inches in height and 11 feet 2 inches at the base. The mainsail dimensions are 29 feet 3 inches on the luff and 11 feet 10 inches on the foot.
Together with the boat’s moderate displacement and draft, these dimensions support the period assessment that the Yamaha 29 is a relatively good performer in most conditions. The fin-keel configuration typically provides predictable steering for a boat of this size.
Accommodations
Belowdecks, the center cockpit organizes the living space around the helm rather than around a traditional aft cockpit. Its position creates a divided interior plan, while the 10-foot beam supplies the transverse room expected of a Finot coastal design from this era. The cockpit location and moderate-displacement hull define the available accommodation volume.
No details are recorded for the interior arrangement, tankage, or engine model.
Verdict
The Yamaha 29 combines a compact center-cockpit layout with a masthead sloop rig and moderate displacement and draft. Solid fiberglass construction, a sensible ballast ratio for her size, and relatively good performance in most conditions make her a capable coastal cruiser. However, with only 55 boats recorded, the used fleet is limited.
Pros
- Center-cockpit layout in a compact, sub-30-foot hull
- Groupe Finot design with a masthead sloop rig
- Moderate displacement and draft for manageable handling
- Relatively good performance in most conditions
- Solid fiberglass hull and deck
Cons
- Only 55 built, limiting the used fleet
- No recorded details for the interior, tankage, or engine model
