On Board Review

Axopar 29 Sun-Top Review (2024 Edition)

Until relatively recently, Axopar was an unknown. Now, at the Düsseldorf Boat Show 2024, it's unveiling the successor to its hugely popular 28 - the 29 Sun-Top. With nearly 3,000 units of the 28 delivered, expectations for the 29 Sun-Top are high.

The Axopar 28 range became a modern classic, known for a sharp hull that owners loved to drive and a deck plan that worked for everything from quick hops to coastal trips. It also hit a price point that opened the door for a lot of people.

The 29 Sun-Top now takes over that role. It comes in at €61,500 before VAT and looks set to keep the same easy appeal. The hull has been reworked, the helm feels more natural, and the deck layout has been given fresh thought without losing, but has it kept the magic that made the 28 such a success?

Axopar 29 Sun-Top Key Facts

Axopar 29 Sun-Top  illustration
  • LOA 30' 10"
  • Model Year 2024
  • Cabins 2
  • Max Speed 50 knots
  • Status In Production
  • Use Type Dayboating

Design & Build

At first glance, the size difference between the two models seems minimal - the 29 Sun-Top is an inch wider and eight inches longer - but the extra space is immediately noticeable on board. The twin-stepped, 22-degree V "Sharp Entry Hull" has been reworked for better hydrodynamics, increasing fuel efficiency by up to 30% over its predecessor. Combined with a larger fuel tank, the 29 Sun-Top now has a range exceeding 200nm.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-running

A New Era 

Axopar’s modular approach allows owners to configure the 29 Sun-Top to suit their needs. The aft deck comes standard as an open space but can be equipped with an aft bench, a wet bar module, or an aft cabin for added versatility. A new U-shaped sofa layout transforms the cockpit, creating a more social space with a foldable hi-lo table. The adjustable aft backrest shifts between four positions, allowing the space to function as a dining area, a lounge, or a sunbed when the table is lowered.

Seating layouts can vary widely depending on how the boat is used, with options including L-shaped sofas, sunpads, U-shaped dinettes, or traditional row seating. Every choice influences the boat’s final configuration, making it adaptable for day trips, extended cruising, or entertaining.

For those looking for extra flair, the Brabus Line offers enhanced styling with premium interior and exterior finishes. Two different hull colours are available - Miami Blue or Platinum Grey.

The Mediterrana Edition features plush beige cushions designed to stay cool under the sun, bamboo trays, integrated cup holders, and warm-toned interior finishes. Beige fabric wall panels and bamboo technical panels are also included.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-at-anchor
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-medettarana-detail
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-aft-running

Following the success of the Axopar 37 Sun-Top, the 29 Sun-Top adopts the same sliding canvas roof, offering sun protection while keeping the cockpit open and airy. A manual version comes as standard, with an electric available as an option.

Engine choices are similar to the 28, with single or twin setups available, going up to 400hp. You can opt for twin 200s or a single 400hp V10, and Axopar is aiming for a wider cruising band between 22 and 32 knots, with minimal fuel economy penalty. Thanks to the boosted fuel tank, range sits at over 200nm.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-single-engine

Interior Accommodation

A big change on the 29 is how you access the cabin. On the 28, the door in front of the console led straight to the toilet. Now, on this version, that space can still be storage, but there’s also the option for a proper cabin. The toilet is tucked underneath, and it can also be configured as a berth.

Lying down, it’s just about manageable at 1.83m (6ft) - any taller, and it might feel a little tight. It’s not exactly luxurious, but for the occasional overnight stay, it could do the job. Access is definitely easier than on the previous model, and there’s also the option for an aft cabin, meaning up to four people could technically sleep on board. Realistically, though, it’s likely to see more use as a toilet and storage space.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-forward-cabin
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-cabin-toilet
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-main-cabin-view-in

Optional Aft Cabin

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-aft-cabin
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-aft-cabin-view-out
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-aft-cabin

Helm Station

The helm has a familiar feel; it's kept the same drop-down driving position that works so well on the 28. Sitting lower in the boat gives you a fantastic driving stance, and nothing’s changed there - it still feels spot on. You can stand and lean comfortably, well protected by the windscreen, or flip down the bolstered seats if you prefer to sit. But every time I’ve driven an Axopar, of any size, I always end up standing - if feels secure, well-positioned, and has a great view forward.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-helm-wheel
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-helm-dash
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-helm-view

There are some nice refinements here too. Widescreen Simrad displays replace the previous layout, offering similar functionality but with a more car-like format that looks great and works just as well. The dashboard is super clean, with just a simple run of buttons, everything else controlled through the screens. But it’s still practical - big cupholders, a grippy surface for phones and small items so they don’t slide around, plus a glove box and a sturdy handhold for the navigator. There are also storage slots on either side, small details that make a big difference in everyday use. Even the handhold cut-out here is clever - it’s not a railing, but a natural place to grab and brace yourself when needed.

On Deck

One of the biggest changes on the aft deck is the now much more sociable seating arrangement. The previous model had forward-facing seats, which worked well when underway but weren’t as ideal for enjoying the boat at anchor. This setup is far more flexible. The table in the middle adjusts up and down, opening out when needed. The backrests can be repositioned, so you can face different directions or even shift the layout to create a bench behind the helm seats. On a boat of this size, having that kind of adaptability makes a real difference. There are also various layout options for this area, letting owners set it up however best suits their style of boating.

The larger cushions make it easy to perch when getting ready for watersports or just enjoying the view off the stern. The storage is gas-ram-assisted, where the clips allow the cushions to lift up easily for quick access to fenders, lines, and other essentials. Once closed, everything locks back into place.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-main-deck
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-cockpit-sunpad
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-cockpit-dinette

The flush floor keeps things feeling open, though it does drop down slightly at the helm. Headroom here is 6ft, so there’s just a slight need to stoop when stepping in.

The canvas sunroof is a great addition, boosting headroom when open and giving the flexibility to switch between shade or full sun. When this space is set up for dining, it feels properly sheltered, but once it’s converted into a sunpad, having that open roof lets in as much sunlight as you’d want.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-sunroof

Side Decks & Foredeck

Moving forward, there’s noticeably more height and freeboard - one of the biggest changes from the 28 to the 29. The 28 sat quite low in the water, but the 29 has been given a bit more elevation, making it feel safer to move around and adding extra height in the bow. That should translate to even better seakeeping.

The 28 already had a solid hull, but they’ve made some subtle refinements to improve things further. The bow flare has been adjusted slightly to help push spray away more effectively, and while the core design remains, these incremental tweaks are to make sure the 29 is a step up from the model it replaces.

Axopar-29-Sun-Top-foredeck-sunpad
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-foredeck-seating
Axopar-29-Sun-Top-anchor

The foredeck comes with a few different seating arrangements - it can be set up as a pure sunbathing space, , that raises up into a dinette or just as an additional seating area.

Value For Money

The base price for the Axopar 29 Sun-Top is €61,500 before VAT. From there, you can take it in a lot of directions. One of the key options is the aft cabin, which starts from €4,900 and turns the boat into a genuine overnighter. Step up to the Mediterrana Edition version (€8,880) and it feels more like a private retreat, with warmer finishes and softer touches.

On deck, the Mediterrana U-Sofa layout (€10,980) is one of the most popular choices, reshaping the aft cockpit into a big social space. If entertaining is the priority, the Wet Bar module (€6,990) brings its own appeal.

For those who want more attitude, the Brabus Line (€4,790) adds sportier detailing, with a Colour Edition in Miami Blue or Platinum Grey (€3,910) if you want the full effect.

Beyond that, there’s a long list of upgrades, from practical kit like the Multistorage locker (€3,500) and bow thruster (€2,660) to lifestyle extras such as a premium sound system (€2,390), underwater lights (€1,120), or even a waterski frame (€710). It means the 29 can stay simple and affordable, or it can be built into something far more tailored.

Our Verdict

The 29 Sun-Top hasn’t strayed from the recipe that the 28 had. The hull feels more efficient, the range has grown, and the social spaces on deck are far more flexible. Even the cabin, though small, adds options the old model never had. It still drives in that familiar Axopar way, but with more polish at the helm and more choice in how the boat can be set up. At €61,500 before VAT, it remains firmly in touch with its roots. So yes, the 29 keeps the spirit of the 28 alive, but with enough refinement to make it feel like the next step rather than just a repeat.

Reasons to Buy

  • Sociable cockpit
  • Higher freeboard
  • Improved helm
  • Multiple layouts

Things to Consider

  • Tight berths
  • Lost of options to add

Looking to own a Axopar 29 Sun-Top ? Use YachtBuyer’s Market Watch to compare all new and used Axopar 29 Sun-Top Boats for sale worldwide. You can also order a new Axopar 29 Sun-Top , customized to your exact specifications, with options for engine choice and layout configuration. Alternatively, explore our global listings of new and used boats for sale and find your perfect boat today!

Rivals to Consider

The Nimbus Weekender 9 is a more cruiser-leaning take. It carries up to eight people on board and offers one cabin with a double berth and a separate head below decks. It can crack 40 knots in top spec, though most owners run it more gently for comfort. What makes it stand out is its Scandinavian design logic: the cockpit sofa can convert to sunbed or dining space, and the layout changes are meant to be simple and intuitive. If you want something with overnight ability and clever adaptability, Nimbus gives you that in a more polished day cruiser package.

The Windy SR28 CC is sharper, more sports-cruiser than pure weekend boat. It seats eight in the cockpit layout, with seating areas fore and aft, and includes a proper cabin below with a fixed double berth and a separate bathroom. Under twin 200hp engines it hit 42+ knots in tests, with sprint performance that undersells its sea manners. Its walkaround deck, deep-vee hull, and high build finish give it rugged confidence; for example, the aft bench backrest flips to let you look aft, and the bow seating converts to a sunbed. If your priority is a sharper drive and stronger offshore character in a compact frame, the Windy pushes more aggressively in that direction.

Considering a new boat? Explore Axopar's entire current range to find the model that best suits your needs, and compare it with alternatives from competitors to ensure you make the perfect choice.

Specifications

  • Length Overall 30' 10"
  • Beam 9' 9"
  • Draft 2' 11"
  • Hull GRP
  • Cabins 2
  • Berths 4
  • Cruising Speed
  • Max Speed
  • Fuel Capacity 106 Gallons
  • Fresh Water Capacity 11 Gallons
  • Engine Model 1x Mercury Verado V10 5.7L 400hp
  • Engine HP 6400
New Model Specs & Options

Axopar 29 Sun-Top Layout

  • Standard open aft with L-sofa in the bow

    Main Deck Axopar 29 Sun-Top
  • Optional aft deck bench with L-sofa and table in bow

    Main Deck Axopar 29 Sun-Top
  • Optional wet bar with U-sofa in the bow

    Main Deck Axopar 29 Sun-Top
  • Optional U-sofa in the aft and bow

    Main Deck Axopar 29 Sun-Top
  • Optional U-sofa with sunbed and forward facing sunbed in bow

    Main Deck Axopar 29 Sun-Top
  • Optional aft cabin with sun lounge and bolsters in the bow

    Main Deck Axopar 29 Sun-Top
View All Layout Options