Over the last few years our some of our 29er sailors have been very active and succesful at national and international events. The class is inviting potential sailors to come on down and take a blast to see if the boat might be for your sailor.
We have a series of three Open Days for the next three weekends Saturday 21st at 3 pm and then 28th and 5th October. There will be top class 29er sailor/coaches to introduce sailors to the classand provide the chance to get afloat and experience the thrill and excitement of this great class. Please click here to Register your sailors interest and sign up for one of the sessions.
More about the 29’er
The 29er is a high-performance sailing dinghy designed for two people, often used in competitive racing. It was designed in 1998 by Julian Bethwaite, the son of Frank Bethwaite, who was responsible for the 49er skiff. The 29er is popular among youth sailors transitioning to faster, more advanced boats. Here are some key characteristics of the 29er:
Key Features:
- Skiff Design: The 29er is a skiff-type boat, meaning it has a flat hull with very low sides, designed for speed and agility. It is smaller and more manageable than the 49er, its larger counterpart.
- Asymmetrical Spinnaker: The 29er uses an asymmetrical spinnaker, which is set on a retractable bowsprit. This sail is used to catch wind while sailing downwind, significantly boosting speed.
- Trapeze System: The crew (one of the two sailors) uses a trapeze, which is a harness system attached to a wire on the mast, allowing them to lean out of the boat to balance it while sailing at high speeds.
- Planing Hull: The hull is designed to plane easily, allowing the boat to skim over the water rather than pushing through it. This increases speed, especially in strong winds.
- Lightweight: The boat is relatively light, typically weighing about 94 kg (207 lbs), which contributes to its speed and maneuverability.
- Racing Class: The 29er is raced internationally and is recognized by the International Sailing Federation (World Sailing). It’s often used as a stepping stone to more advanced boats like the Olympic 49er.
Sailors & Usage:
- The 29er is especially popular among youth sailors, and many sailors use it to transition from smaller dinghies (like the Laser or Optimist) to more advanced skiff sailing.
- It is part of Irish Sailing youth pathway program
Because of its challenging, high-performance nature, the 29er requires a good deal of skill, coordination, and physical fitness from its sailors.
RSGYC is committed to growing our 29er fleet and welcome new entrants to the class. If you are interested in participating or want further information on the class, please contact our Sailing Manager Ronan Adams .
