The Ovington Boats 29 High Performance Skiff 1998 vs Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006 measures 20,0 feet overall (2006), giving it roughly 5,5 additional feet of deck space compared to the Ovington Boats 29 High Performance Skiff 1998 at 14,5 feet (1998). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006 tips the scales at 672 lbs — 514 lbs less than the Ovington Boats 29 High Performance Skiff 1998 at 159 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Ovington Boats 29 High Performance Skiff 1998 caps at 4. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 159 lbs for the Ovington Boats 29 High Performance Skiff 1998 and 672 lbs for the Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
The Ovington Boats 29 High Performance Skiff 1998 uses Sloop rigging.
The Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006 is trailerable — a genuine advantage for sailors who prefer to keep their boat at home or explore multiple sailing venues.
Bottom line: The Ovington Boats Flying Fifteen 2006 at 20,0 ft offers more living space, greater range, and a more substantial offshore capability. The Ovington Boats 29 High Performance Skiff 1998 at 14,5 ft is the easier, lower-cost option — simpler to crew and a strong choice for coastal and day sailing.