Norwalk Island Sharpie 29

Description

The Norwalk Islands Sharpie 29 (often abbreviated NIS 29) is a capable open-water cruiser-racer in the Norwalk Islands Sharpies series, designed by legendary Canadian naval architect Bruce Kirby (famous for the Laser dinghy and other performance-oriented craft). The NIS line draws inspiration from 19th-century Connecticut River oyster-fishing sharpies, blending traditional workboat heritage (shallow draft, double-ended hull, lightweight plywood construction) with modern sophistication for speed, seaworthiness, and ease of building. Plans and kits are available through sources like Straydog Boatworks (Australia) or Bruce Kirby Designs, with boats typically owner-built or small-shop constructed in plywood/epoxy (often glass-sheathed for durability); no large factory production exists, but dozens of NIS 29s have been built worldwide since the 1980s/1990s. It features a cat ketch rig (unstayed masts on tabernacles for quick setup/low bridges, self-tacking-like handling, easy reefing, and excellent twist control), extreme shallow draft (centerboard up), double-ended hull for wave handling and beachability, and a compact cabin for storage or minimal overnights (2–4 berths, basic galley/heads). It's praised for versatility (rows well, sails fast off wind with planing potential, motors with small outboard), seaworthiness in chop (perky sheer and buoyant ends), and fun factor—great for gunkholing, coastal cruising, or short offshore passages, often called a "cruising Laser for grown-ups" with strong performance and self-steering qualities.