Sailing Performance & Handling
The Farr-designed Dickerson 37 is characterized by its weatherly nature and responsiveness, a stark departure from the slower, steadier motion of the company’s earlier mahogany-planked models. Built with a deep fin keel and a high-aspect spade rudder, the vessel was designed to excel in the light-to-moderate airs typical of the Chesapeake Bay while maintaining enough stiffness for offshore passages.
In terms of handling, the boat utilizes a fractional rig, which allows for precise mainsail control and makes the boat easier to depower in heavy gusts compared to the masthead rigs of the era. Owners frequently report that the Farr 37 tracks exceptionally well upwind, a result of Farr’s expertise in optimizing underwater foils. While the Hazen sibling model prioritizes sea-kindliness in heavy swells, the Farr 37 is optimized for "VMG" (Velocity Made Good), making it a favorite for point-to-point racing. The hull’s flat sections aft allow it to reach speeds that surpass traditional cruising hulls of similar displacement, provided the sail trim is managed actively.
Interior Comfort & Variations
Despite its racing pedigree, the Dickerson 37 Farr retains the "yacht-like" interior finish that defined the Maryland builder for decades. The layout was generally optimized for a crew of four to six, featuring a traditional V-berth forward, a central salon with a drop-leaf table, and a dedicated navigation station. Because Dickerson was a semi-custom builder, variations exist between hulls; some were finished with more extensive teak joinery, while others utilized lighter laminates to save weight for racing.
A significant distinction exists between this model and its "cruising" sibling, the Hazen 37. The Farr version often features a more open aft section to accommodate racing sail stowage, whereas the Hazen design frequently utilized that space for deeper lockers and specialized cruising gear. However, both models benefited from Dickerson’s commitment to ventilation and light, with high-quality ports and hatches that were a step above the mass-produced boats from larger manufacturers like Catalina or Hunter. The headroom is generous for a boat of this vintage, typically clearing 6’2” in the main cabin, making it a viable coastal cruiser for taller sailors.
Popular Mentions & Media
The Dickerson 37 Farr gained significant acclaim in the early 1980s by winning several prestigious trophies on the East Coast racing circuit. It is perhaps most famous for its performance in the Annapolis-to-Newport race and various Chesapeake Bay High Point championships. The model was highlighted in editorial reviews for its ability to bridge the gap between a "stripped-out" racer and a "stodgy" cruiser, a balance that was difficult to achieve during the transition from wood to fiberglass construction.
Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist
Prospective buyers should approach a Dickerson 37 Farr with a focus on its fiberglass-and-balsa construction. While Dickerson was known for high-quality builds, the 1980s were a period of experimentation with balsa-coring in both the hull and deck.
- Core Saturation: Like many boats of this era, the balsa-cored decks are susceptible to moisture intrusion around stanchion bases, chainplates, and the mast step. A thorough moisture meter test and "percussion" sounding (tapping the deck) are essential.
- Keel-to-Hull Joint: Given the boat's performance orientation, the deep fin keel exerts significant leverage on the hull grid. Buyers should inspect the bilge for "smile" cracks at the leading edge of the keel or signs of stress around the stainless steel keel bolts.
- Spade Rudder Integrity: The spade rudder is a high-load component. Checking for water ingress in the rudder blade and ensuring the rudder post bearings are not excessively worn or "sloppy" is critical for safe offshore handling.
- Rigging Fatigue: Because the Farr 37 uses a fractional rig with running backstays on some performance-tuned models, the standing rigging and chainplate attachments should be professionally surveyed for fatigue cracks.
Community & Resources
The primary hub for information and technical support is the Dickerson Owners Association, which maintains an extensive archive of original brochures, technical drawings, and owner-led restoration logs. This association is one of the most active for a defunct builder, organizing annual rendezvous on the Chesapeake Bay and providing a technical forum for sourcing specific parts that were custom-made at the Trappe, Maryland yard.
The Verdict
The Dickerson 37 Farr is an "expert’s boat"—a vessel that offers the aesthetic of a classic American cruiser with the heart of a grand-prix racer. It remains a top choice for sailors who want a boat that is rewarding to trim and capable of winning local club races while providing a warm, wood-rich environment for weekend getaways.
Pros:
- Exceptional Speed: Significantly faster and more weatherly than most 37-footers from the 1980s.
- Craftsmanship: High-quality interior joinery that far exceeds modern mass-production standards.
- Active Community: Strong support from the Dickerson Owners Association for maintenance and history.
Cons:
- Maintenance Intensity: Performance features like the spade rudder and fractional rig require more active management than a simpler coastal cruiser.
- Deep Draft: The performance-oriented keel may limit access to some shallow Chesapeake or Florida gunkholes.
- Core Risks: Potential for expensive deck repairs if previous owners neglected re-bedding deck hardware.
