8 Great Reasons To Sail A 29er

8. The "Grown Up Sailing World" Is Catching On - In the last few years, the US sailing scene has undergone a dramatic change, initially rejecting the 29er as newfangled trickery, and now embracing the class in many regional organizations.  Even the "grown up sailing world" is starting to catch on, with the popularity of many asymmetric sport boats that are obvious pathways for 29er alumni.  As a crew in the Melges 20 class, I can tell you that 29er sailors are the hottest new thing right now!

7. Top International Competition Right Here In The US! - Since the 29er became a staple of the ISAF Youth World Championship in 2007, the US has placed 6th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, and 4th at the event which is widely considered to be the most prestigious Youth event in the world.  In 2011, Zach Downing and Andrew Cates won the 29er European Championship, and for the last two years, the International Orange Bowl fleet has included participants from Germany, Sweden  Spain, Canada, and other countries.

6. Weight doesn't matter - At the International Orange Bowl this year, the teams that placed 1st and 2nd weighed in at 230lbs and 300lbs respectively.  Unlike a laser, where an inexperienced 80 pounder gets thrashed, or an FJ/C420 where a 160 pounder might as well be dragging an anchor around the course, the 29er is very forgiving when it comes to total combined crew weight.

5. Cost - Currently you could pick up a perfectly competitive boat on the 29er North American used boat listing for as little as $3000.  Some of the original hulls are still racing today, and yearly maintenance costs are extremely low compared to most other international classes (a new set of sails per year would be agressive!).

4. Internationally Relevant - While the CFJ and C420 are great stepping stones to learn big fleet tactics, if you have international sailing aspirations, cross them off the list.  Currently the 29er is the largest youth double handed class that can be sailed internationally.  Unlike the I420, costs of getting into the class are relatively low, and if you can beat the top US competitors, chances are good that it won't take you 5 years of full on European campaigning during the summers to be competitive with the international competition.

3. Relevant To Big Boat Sailing - 

Enough said.

2. Learn Valuable Life Skills - In classes like the C420, the FJ, and frequently the I420, parents and kids continue the Opti/Sabot practice of parents organizing the events, doing the boat work, etc.  Sailors show up, do their thing, and cash in on another spoon fed regatta experience.  The culture of the present 29er fleet is very much a communal learning experience for all sailors, in which it is expected that sailors learn to do their own splicing, boat work, and much of the campaigning aspects to boot.  Throw in the challenges of traveling to foreign countries, working with a teammate to coordinate training schedules  and the opportunities to get involved in class development as a youth sailor (I was selected at the International 29er Board North American VP at 17), and you have a pretty incredible environment for learning and personal development.

1. Fast And Fun!  If you haven't sailed on a 29er yet, I encourage you to find a ride and see for yourself what all the hype is about! 

Because Fast Is Fun!!