Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the F-32SR was to shed weight and aerodynamic drag while maximizing righting moment and sail area. To achieve this, Farrier significantly reduced the freeboard of the main hull and lowered the cabin profile, resulting in a sleek, low-windage aesthetic that stands in stark contrast to the taller, high-sided profiles of earlier cruising designs. The cockpit was greatly expanded to accommodate active racing crews, pushing the traveler aft and maximizing working space.
Crucial to carrying its formidable rig are the "maxi floats" (amas), which feature substantially more volume carried low and forward compared to standard F-32 floats. This architectural change prevents diagonal bow-burying when pressing hard downwind under a screecher or asymmetric spinnaker.
Internally, the boat is decidedly Spartan. While traditional cruising trimarans offer heavy wood joinery, the F-32SR’s interior depends almost entirely on lightweight composite structures. It is highly functional but basic: containing births for up to four, a minimalist galley, and a simple head, utilizing structural bulkheads and Corecell foam panels to serve dual purposes as cabinetry and structural stiffening. It is an environment optimized for offshore racing triage rather than dockside entertaining.
Variations & Configurations
Because the F-32SR was offered as a plan-set for home-builders and specialized custom yards, individual configurations vary. The baseline F-32SR utilizes a sandwich construction of Corecell structural foam wrapped in epoxy and fiberglass, with carbon fiber strategically deployed in high-load areas like the beam bulkheads. For builders pursuing the absolute minimum displacement, Farrier specified an all-carbon fiber version designated the F-32SRC (Super Race Carbon) or SRXC, utilizing epoxy-infused carbon laminates over foam core.
Rigs and appendages represent another layer of variation. Most configurations feature a towering, rotating carbon-fiber wing mast rising up to 51 feet. Dynamic underwater configurations range from a deep, high-aspect central daggerboard to cutting-edge lifting foils. Many veteran owners have retrofitted curved carbon C-foils in the floats to provide vertical dynamic lift, significantly reducing wetted surface area and preventing nose-diving at speed. While a single central deep-blade rudder is standard, some owners have opted for dual, float-mounted high-aspect rudders to maintain absolute control when the main hull is fully airborne.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The sailing physics of the F-32SR are defined by its astounding power-to-weight profile. Boasting a displacement of just 2,712 pounds and a staggering sail area-to-displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of 66.22, the boat is a light-wind locomotive that accelerates on a whisper of wind. Upwind, the high-aspect rotating wing mast and deep central daggerboard allow the boat to point far higher than typical cruising multihulls, acting more like a high-performance beach catamaran than a 33-foot offshore yacht.
With a capsize screening formula of 6.66—a reflection of its broad, ultra-stable 23-foot beam when unfolded—the boat is inherently resistant to rolling, relying on the massive buoyancy of its maxi floats to translate wind energy into forward velocity.
Conversely, its comfort ratio of 1.98 underscores its highly athletic, low-inertia motion in a seaway. It reacts instantly to waves and gusts, requiring active trim and quick reflexes at the helm. Downwind, the F-32SR is a pure planing machine, routinely sailing in the high teens and easily exceeding 20 knots. Helm pressure is remarkably light due to balanced spade rudders, though constant vigilance is required in heavy air to manage the massive overturning moments before the bows submerge.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Given that the F-32SR is built custom or semi-custom rather than rolling off a factory assembly line, the brokerage market is thin and highly specialized. Hulls built by elite composite yards, such as Multihulls Direct or highly experienced amateur builders using vacuum-bagged epoxy-carbon sandwich, command an immense premium. These vessels trade as coveted racing commodities, highly valued in demanding coastal and adventure racing circuits like the Race to Alaska (R2AK).
Prospective buyers must recognize that buying an F-32SR is not a turn-key transaction. The economics of owning a custom high-performance trimaran include evaluating the specific builder's pedigree, inspecting custom deck-hardware layouts, and budgeting for the high replacement cost of carbon fiber wing masts, synthetic standing rigging, and high-tech racing laminates.
Structural Integrity & Owner Triage
The primary engineering marvel of the F-32 series is the third-generation Farrier Folding System. This system uses solid carbon fiber folding beams, streamlined lower folding struts, and titanium pivot pins. While highly reliable, this system requires rigorous maintenance. Owners must regularly inspect the beam pivot points for play or elongation and ensure that the titanium pins are isolated to prevent galvanic corrosion.
The primary structural triage point on any used Farrier trimaran is the integrity of the beam bulkheads and mounting pads in the central hull. Under extreme sailing loads, these areas handle immense compression. Buyers should check for hairline cracking in the gelcoat or laminate near the mounting bolts and verify the condition of the large backing plates designed to distribute these loads.
Additionally, because the boat is built using Corecell or similar foam-sandwich cores, any aftermarket deck hardware installations must be thoroughly checked to ensure they were properly potted with solid epoxy to prevent water ingress into the core. High-load areas, such as the chainplates and forestay attachments, often utilize synthetic fiber rigging (such as Colligo Dux) which must be inspected for UV degradation and chafe.
The Verdict
The Farrier F-32SR is an uncompromising speed machine designed for the experienced multihull sailor who demands maximum performance without sacrificing trailerability. It is not a casual family cruiser, but for those seeking line honors, offshore records, or pure high-speed sailing excitement, few trailerable boats in history can match its design pedigree and raw velocity.
Pros:
- Astonishing light-wind acceleration and planing performance, with speeds easily exceeding 20 knots downwind.
- Patented, robust folding-beam system allows for quick trailering and standard marina slip berthing.
- High-volume "maxi floats" provide substantial forward buoyancy and safety when pressed hard downwind.
- Exceptional structural strength on models built with vacuum-bagged epoxy carbon fiber.
- Rotating carbon wing mast and optional curved C-foils deliver cutting-edge multihull hydrodynamics.
Cons:
- Highly Spartan and stripped-down interior lacks the cruising comforts of production catamarans or cruising trimarans.
- High-frequency, lively motion in a seaway can be physically taxing over long offshore passages.
- Scarcity of professional builds means buyers must carefully vet amateur construction quality.
- Extremely high loads on the rig and folding beams demand rigorous, proactive maintenance.
