Farr 38 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Farr 38 — also badged the Farr 11.6 — means looking at a Bruce Farr-designed performance cruiser with a light 10,600-pound hull and a lead fin keel drawing roughly 6.3 to 6.6 feet depending on load. These are boats that were conceived as well-rounded cruisers capable of racing, and the brokerage examples you meet today reflect that dual character in their layouts and equipment.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Farr 38 carries an offshore-oriented interior with good sea berths and an original deck plan meant to spread a big crew around rather than cluster them below. Owners describe simple onboard systems and large water tankage with generous stowage for consumables, so most used boats present as straightforward cruising layouts rather than stripped racers. The standard fuel tank is very small from the factory, though quite a few of these boats have a second tank bringing total capacity up to around 35 gallons, a point worth confirming on any candidate.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market these boats commonly carry solar, autopilot, chartplotter, AIS, and a life raft, which together form a credible short-handed navigation and safety suite. A spinnaker is commonly fitted, matching the fractional rig's need for downwind help, and a dodger is a common canvas addition for helm comfort. A short-handed setup is also commonly seen, consistent with the boat's easily managed rig and minimally overlapping jib that works from light air into the 30-knot range without furling.
What to Inspect
The single documented shortfall is the very small standard fuel tank, so verify whether a second tank is present and sound. Beyond that, owners report the hull is well engineered to stay afloat if holed, but any used survey should still confirm structural integrity and the condition of the conventional propeller shaft and simple systems. The lead fin keel's attachment and the spade rudder should be checked as routine on a performance hull.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical markets for the Farr 38 are Australia and New Zealand. For a buyer, the checklist is brief: confirm fuel capacity and second-tank status, survey the keel and rudder, verify the common short-handed and safety equipment is present and working, and assess the offshore interior for wear. A well-kept example offers a stable, easily short-handed cruiser-racer with simple systems and large water stowage.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Farr 38. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 4 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 26 | 3 | $49,553 | — |
| Mar 26 | 1 | $47,124 | -4.9% |
| Jun 26 | 1 | $53,014 | +12.5% |
| Jul 26 | 1 | $48,137 | -9.2% |
Where they're listed
Farr 38 listings appear across 2 countries. Australia has the most listings with 4 (66.7%), followed by New Zealand.
Country view
6 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | $48,845 | 4 | 1 | 66.7% |
| New Zealand | $50,069 | 2 | 1 | 33.3% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
4 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beneteau First 38 | 40.2' | $ 34,591 | 33 | 6 |
| Northshore 38 | 37.99' | $ 51,323 | 11 | 0 |
| Hinckley 38 | 37.5' | $ 62,500 | 9 | 5 |
| Farr 38You are here | — | $ 48,845 | 6 | 2 |