Farr himself owned the second hull off the line, “Uncle Seaweed,” using it for recreation and as a floating test bed.
Design and Construction
The 5000 measures 5.09m overall, with a 4.62m waterline and a beamy 2.25m. It has a fine entry with little flare and a gentle sheerline; at rest, the hull clears the waterline at the transom. Two simulated clinkers stiffen the hull, a feature carried over from the 6000.
The cabin top has considerable camber to shed water, while a high coaming wraps around the cockpit. Non-skid surfacing covers much of the cockpit, side decks, and cabin top. Inside, the cabin floors are moulded GRP with small ridges.
A heavy swing keel is paired with 180kg (397lb) of ballast. The top of the keel case has a sprayed furry coating as a footfall surface.
Rig, Steering, and Sailing
The 5000 carries an approximate 5/8 fractional sloop rig, with a smallish jib and a four-battened mainsail. All sail controls except the spinnaker sheets lead to the cabin top. The jib-sheet track is within arm’s reach of the cockpit, and the mainsheet traveler spans the bridge between the cockpit and cabin.
The moulded-GRP swing rudder lifts clear of the water when it isn’t needed. An aluminium box frame provides stiffness and leverage, while the square-section extrusion tiller ends in solid timber and carries the usual twiddle stick.
A winch with a removable handle raises and lowers the swing keel. A window shows the degree of tension in the keel cable.
In testing, the boat encountered gusts of up to 25 knots. It heeled quickly in the puffs and once rounded up in a heavier gust. Even so, the mainsail alone drove it easily, and young teenagers could handle the small jib. Farr took second in class on the boat’s first outing.
The design is built to self-right after a knock-down. It also floats high enough to keep the cabin clear, even with the hatch boards removed.
Accommodation
The cabin is more basic than the Farr 6000’s, but it sleeps four on full-size bunks. Two bunks run the full length of the cabin on either side, with their after two-thirds forming quarter berths. All have bin stowage beneath and comfortable, soft-surfaced squabs.
A lifting cabin hatch, two removable side panels, and a centre insert open up the space. Five or six adults can sit inside. Three marine-ply partitions separate the cockpit from the cabin; the two side panels are secured by shock cord and can be removed while sailing.
There’s provision for either a chemical toilet or a centreline marine head, and a portable galley was optional. An optional pop-top was also offered rather than fitted as standard.
Standard Equipment and Options
Standard equipment included the jib, mainsail, and trailer. The foredeck has an anchor locker with a recessed cleat that keeps the lid shut while at anchor.
Options included:
- Pulpit
- Pushpit
- Guardrails
- Spinnaker
- Boom tent
- Pop-top
Period reviewers considered the pulpit and pushpit close to essential for most crews.
Trailering
A 1300cc car could tow the Farr 5000 over short distances. For Australia-style distances, 1500–1600cc or more was recommended.
Known Issues
Several details on the test boat needed attention. The sprayed furry coating on top of the swing-keel case was expected to wear through quickly because the area served as a natural step down into the cabin. The test boat needed a more durable surface there.
The cockpit fuel-tank locker had a hinged lid but no catch. On the test example, there was also no hole for the fuel line to pass through to the engine with the lid closed.
The cabin-top handrails were positioned too far forward to let a third crew member brace effectively; they should have been moved aft by a few inches. The test boat also needed minor sail alterations to improve airflow.
Verdict
The Farr 5000 is a purpose-built trailer yacht that offers plenty for its 16ft length. It heels quickly, is easy to sail short-handed, and is engineered to self-right. Against that, the cabin is spartan, and the test boat showed several detailing omissions that the factory never fully resolved.
Pros
- Self-righting hull with 180kg of ballast and high flotation
- Quick rig suited to short-handed sailing, with a jib young teenagers could handle
- Towable behind a small car
- Swing keel allows shallow-water access
Cons
- Keel-case coating wears quickly
- Fuel locker lacks a catch and fuel-line hole
- Basic interior
- Handrails are poorly positioned for crew bracing
- Minor sail-flow tuning was needed from new
