Design and Construction
The hull form itself rewards a close look. Above the waterline the stem carries a modest rake, and the sheerline is gracefully sprung forward over a well-crowned foredeck. Below the waterline the sections are sharp forward and widen gradually, then farther aft the running bottom transitions to longer, flatter sections that terminate at a reversed transom. That shape, combined with a beam stretched to 15 feet 5 inches amidships, gives the boat a good deal of internal volume without resorting to slab-sided proportions. The fin keel with full-chord wings carries 13,200 pounds of ballast, a draft of 7 feet 6 inches, and a single high-aspect rudder completes the steering plan on a 37,400-pound displacement. The pilothouse itself is low and swept back—an early acknowledgment that a cruising boat need not sacrifice silhouette for shelter.
Rig and Performance
What the numbers describe is a boat that is stable and fast. The sail plan drives daily runs of about 200 nautical miles at roughly 8 knots, and the ballast-to-displacement relationship (about 35 percent) sits where you would want it for a sea-kindly cruiser rather than a racer. The displacement-length ratio of 198 places her firmly in the loaded-cruiser camp, yet the hull's flatter aft sections and full-chord wing keel let her carry way efficiently. The boat was characterized as a classic, all-oceans cruiser that is stable and fast—a rare combination of volume and composure.
Accommodations
Inside, the salon and pilothouse are fitted with safety glass windows that give spectacular views from the helm and the raised wraparound settee, which seats up to six around a large dining table. The aft master stateroom is the centerpiece: accessed through a portside passageway, it holds a queen-sized island berth, a settee, a hanging wardrobe, and an ensuite head with a separate shower. Forward, some boats carry two private cabins served by a single head, while the original designers envisioned a single guest stateroom forward with an ensuite head plus a small day head to starboard at the bottom of the forward companionway stairs. The variation between realized layouts and the drawn intent is worth noting for any buyer tracking down a specific interior arrangement.
Refits and Ownership
With only 25 built and the model no longer in production, ownership is a matter of locating one of a small, coherent group. The high original build standard from BSI Marine means most examples have aged on their own merits rather than as victims of cost-cutting. The pilot-house configuration and the all-oceans brief suggest these are boats that have been used as intended, and the limited number afloat keeps the owner community tight.
The Verdict
The Farr 50 Pilot House is a thoughtfully executed offshore cruiser that trades the open saloon of a pure racer-cruiser for a sheltered pilot house and a genuinely roomy interior. The hull shape is purposeful, the build is serious, and the volumes are generous without bloating the profile.
Pros
- Low, swept-back pilothouse with safety-glass views and a raised wraparound settee
- Sharp-forward, flat-aft hull with full-chord wing keel for stable, fast passage-making
- Large aft master stateroom with island berth and separate shower
- Built to a very high standard by BSI Marine in Sweden; only 25 produced
Cons
- Limited production means few examples and slow buyer search
- Forward cabin layouts vary from original design intent to realized two-cabin configurations
