SUNBEAM 29.1
We recently covered the plans for this little sister of the all-new Sunbeam 32.1, which I tested a few months ago (a full review to follow), but this is the first time I had seen the 29.1 in person. While Sunbeam Yachts has been a family-run business for generations, former iterations of these pretty Austrian boats were conservative and relied on their sailing prowess to attract customers. They also catered for cruising sailors with boats up to 46ft.
The latest of the Schöchl family to run the business is Andreas, who believes that most boats are too unremarkable and boring to stand out, and there was a market for customers who want something striking, without being an out-and-out racing boat.
While the mint-blue hull is optional, the design is defined by a its reverse sheer bow and the ‘flight deck’ foredeck, in which the bowsprit carries aft into the topsides to create space for lounging on the deck. The swoop of the coachroof down into the coamings is also distinctive, as is the wide open cockpit with easy access to the water.
The 32.1 is minimalist in its design, but remains comfortable, with a top-quality finish for the weekend sailor with occasional overnights on board. While the 29.1 has a more basic fit-out than that, the attention to detail remains. There’s an open v-berth forwards and seating around the lifting keel mechanism, which can be topped with a table. Aft you can opt for a galley unit and a heads compartment, but the design is modular, so if you don’t take it at first, you can always add those later.
This boat isn’t set up for long-term cruising, but a couple could comfortably spend a night or two aboard. If she’s anything like the 32.1, she won’t scare your guests out on the water, but she’ll be fun to sail and hit some decent speeds.