Farr 1/2 Ton Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Hull type

Monohull · lifting

Rig

Fractional Sloop

LOA

31.25' · 9.53 m

Displ.

5,139 lbs · 2,331 kg

First year

1976

The Farr 1/2 Ton represents a pivotal moment in naval architecture, marking the era when Bruce Farr’s lightdisplacement philosophy disrupted the International Offshore Rule (IOR). In the mid1970s, while most designers were producing heavy, "pinchedend" yachts to exploit the IOR rating system, Farr introduced widesterned, dinghylike designs that prioritized surfboardlike planing performance over traditional displacement. The most famous of these early designs was 45 South, which famously won the 1975 Half Ton Cup, proving that a lighter boat with a powerful beam carried aft could dominate the fleet. According to historical records from Farr Yacht Design, these hulls were characterized by a high powertoweight ratio and a departure from the "lead mine" mentality of the era.