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For the type of mountain bike, see
29"er.
| Specifications Under Current Rules |
|
29er
|
| Number of crew |
2 (Twin Trapeze) |
| LOA |
4450 mm 14 ft 7 in |
| Beam |
1770 mm 5 ft 10 in |
| Hull weight (with fittings) |
90 kg 198 lb |
| Sail area of total of Main and Jib |
12.50 m². 134 sq ft |
| Sail area Spinnaker |
15.00 m². 161 sq ft |
|
The 29er is a skiff designed by Julian Bethwaite and first produced in 1998. It is targeted at youth, especially those training to sail the larger 49er. It has a single trapeze and an asymmetric spinnaker much like that of the 49er (although smaller). The popular boat is considered a more rapid alternative to the Laser 2 and has an international racing class devoted to it. In many conditions the 29er is even more challenging to sail than its Olympic big brother, the 49er. The kite rigging set up challenges crews to be fit and coordinated, and manoeuvres in the boat require athleticism. It is quickly becoming a very popular youth dinghy class, with people from sabots, etc., coming into them.
Recently, Bethwaite has been working in San Francisco with Jen Glass designing the 29erXX, with increased sail area and double trapeze with the same hull.
The 2007 world championships were held in Argentina. An Argentinian team of Matías Gainza and Federico Villambrosa won the event. World championships have been held annually since 2000. The 29er is able to reach high speeds fairly quickly by having a sleek and hydrodynamic hull and will often surpass the wind speed when planing both up and downwind.
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