GK 29 General Information
Designed by Michael Pocock for Laurent Giles and Partners, the GK29 was a follow on from its successful little sister the GK24. It benefited from a full 6 ft headroom making it suitable as a cruising yacht as well as a racer. Two version were produced, the Family Racer and the Half Ton. You can easily recognise the two versions from the following:
GK29 Family Racer - cast iron keel - deck stepped masthead rig - four winches -
GK29 Half Tonner - lead keel - keel stepped fractional or masthead rig -six winches -
The GK29 was manufactured by Westerly Yachts Ltd from 1978 to 1982. They were offered either as the Sail Away or Home Complete with a total of 182 boats being produced.
Probably more GK29s are cruised than raced nowadays but when it was first produced in 1978 the Half Ton version gained success at half ton level. It is still a good boat for club racing and a comfortable one for cruising. A benefit of the high freeboard is that the GK29 is a dry boat. In all but the roughest weather the GK29 crew will remain dry when others boats have waves breaking over them.
With fin and skeg and a transom-hung rudder the helm is nicely balanced and providing the sails are set properly you can safely leave the helm to itself whilst you nip below to fetch a beer or other essential.
Distinguishing features of GK29s are the large freeboard, low coach roof and wide side decks. Most control lines are led back to the cockpit.
Down below there is 6ft headroom and ample accommodation . The standard layout has a double berth up front, a single berth and cosy double berth in the main saloon, and a wide quarter berth. Six good friends could sleep aboard for a short time but as with most boats a lesser number is more comfortable. There is a table with folding leaves between the berths in the main saloon.
The galley is on the starboard side of the companionway and the chart table on the port side. The heads are located between the forecabin and the main saloon with a sink and hanging locker opposite.
A Petter 12 diesel engine was fitted as standard and many GK29's still have these rugged engines pushing them along. Access to all parts of the engine is good with large removable panels at the front, port side and top.
The cockpit is large but not so large that you can't brace yourself in a sea. There is a massive locker on the starboard side which will accommodate most things.
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