Design and Construction
Bruce Farr drew the 9.2 at the end of the 1970s. Its racing pedigree shows in the numbers: a displacement-length ratio of 122 places it squarely among light racers. A ballast ratio of 35 percent and a length-to-beam ratio of 3.25 describe a narrow, stiff hull, with 1,294 pounds of lead carried low. Displacement is 4,661 pounds, and wetted surface is about 279 square feet.
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass. Farr offered the 9.2 with different keel alternatives: a fin keel drawing roughly 5.2 to 5.5 feet, depending on load, and a drop keel. The latter is a lifting keel that raises and lowers vertically, reducing draft to about 1.4 to 1.7 feet so the boat can lie in shallow marinas.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig carries a mainsail and genoa. Its 10 mm halyards are roughly 88 feet long, while 12 mm sheets are sized for the 30-foot boat. Under the ISO 8666 reference sail, the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 22.1; with a 135 percent genoa, it rises to 25.3. That’s enough to keep the boat lively in modest air.
The theoretical hull speed is 6.8 knots. Reported calculated maximum speeds are about 5.5 knots with a Volvo Penta MD10 and 7.4 knots with a Volvo Penta 2002. The latter exceeds the theoretical displacement speed, reflecting the boat’s light-racer character.
A capsize screening value of 2.23 means the design wouldn’t meet the threshold for ocean-race acceptance. Its motion comfort ratio of 13.5 points to a firm, athletic ride rather than a soft offshore motion.
Displacement and Trim
The Farr 9.2 has a 25-foot-9-inch waterline and an immersion rate of about 836 pounds per inch. These figures describe a boat that sits lightly and changes trim quickly as crew and stores come aboard—a consequence of its light-racer displacement rather than its cabin plan.
Engines and Running Rigging
Different engine alternatives were fitted over the production run. For owners refitting a used 9.2, the recorded running-rigging dimensions provide a useful starting point. The rigging table specifies:
- A 75.6-foot mainsheet
- 30.2-foot genoa and jib sheets
- Spinnaker gear with matching 88-foot halyards
- A cunningham, kicking strap, and clew outhaul, all using 10 mm line in lengths of about 13 to 27 feet
These dimensions allow a new owner to renew the running rigging to its original specification without guesswork.
The Verdict
The Farr 9.2 is a Bruce Farr light racer that trades offshore comfort for shallow-water access and genoa-driven speed. The lifting-keel option is its headline feature, turning a racer with roughly 5.5 feet of fin-keel draft into a shoal-draft cruiser drawing about 1.4 feet. Meanwhile, the fractional rig and low displacement keep the boat quick across a wide wind range.
Pros
- Vertically lifting drop keel reduces draft to about 1.4 feet for shallow marinas
- Sail-area-to-displacement ratio reaches 25.3 with a 135 percent genoa
- Solid-fiberglass hull and deck
- Running-rigging dimensions are on record
Cons
- Capsize screening value of 2.23 excludes the design from ocean-race acceptance
- Motion comfort ratio of 13.5 indicates a firm, less forgiving ride
- Shallow-draft versatility comes at the expense of offshore motion comfort
