Faurby 396 Information, Review, Specs

The Faurby 396 emerged from a shipyard steeped in a tradition of meticulous handcraftsmanship, founded by Niels Peter Faurby in 1976. The company's vision for the 396, much like all its yachts, was centered on individual customization and a commitment to building vessels of the highest quality. From its inception in 1998, the 396 was designed with performance and luxury in mind, reflecting Faurby's ethos of creating timeless, elegant, and fast yachts with uncompromising quality standards. The builder prides itself on a strong internal design ethos, rarely featuring external naval architects, ensuring a consistent adherence to the Faurby brand's signature lines and characteristics.

Throughout its production, the Faurby 396 saw variations, underscoring the brand's semi-custom approach. Notable iterations include the "Jesper Bank Edition," which emphasized both comfort and sailing performance, often featuring a carbon fiber mast and boom. A "Faurby 396 Offshore" from 2006 also highlighted the capacity for unique, one-off designs, featuring a hard top specifically engineered for comfortable and safe offshore cruising. These variations demonstrate Faurby's dedication to tailoring each vessel to an owner's specific requirements, a hallmark of their "True Boat Builders" identity.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Faurby 396 is engineered for impressive sailing characteristics, embodying the "performance cruiser" designation. With a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 15.83, she exhibits moderate performance in lighter winds, yet truly comes alive when the breeze builds, reflecting her design as a serious sailing vessel. The displacement to length ratio (D/L) of roughly 144.6 indicates a relatively light displacement for her length, suggesting a design focused on spirited performance rather than heavy-duty cruising.

Contributing to her robust handling and stability is a ballast to displacement ratio (B/D) of about 0.37. While this figure represents good stability, Faurby's design philosophy further enhances her stiffness through a low center of gravity and a powerful, fractional sloop rig, enabling the boat to stand up to significant wind pressures. Owners and reviewers often describe the 396 as a boat "made to sail," with fast sailing being a primary objective. Her streamlined hull, fiberglass solid construction, bulb keel, and spade rudder contribute to excellent balance and responsiveness, making her a joy to helm and well-suited for upwind sailing, a characteristic optimized for Baltic Sea conditions.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Faurby 396 reflects the builder's commitment to luxurious, handcrafted quality. Accommodations are typically finished with the finest teak, often in a matt lacquered veneer, showcasing exquisite joinery by skilled craftsmen. Most Faurby 396 models feature a two-cabin layout, providing comfortable berths for owners and guests.

The salon is thoughtfully arranged and is often praised for its classy design, offering a welcoming and comfortable space for relaxation and dining. Essential amenities commonly found include a stove, oven, refrigerator, and a water heater, ensuring comfort during extended voyages. Ventilation and storage are usually well-addressed, consistent with a yacht designed for comfortable cruising. The aft cabin, in particular, is noted for its ample headroom, allowing occupants to stand upright, a significant comfort on a vessel of this size. The cockpit further extends the living space, frequently featuring teak benches and options like a cockpit tent, enhancing usability in various conditions.