Farr delivered Design #128, a high-performance cruiser-racer that was originally marketed under the same Dickerson 37 moniker as an earlier cruising model. This new performance variant immediately shattered expectations, sweeping the Chesapeake racing scene and winning almost every competition in its debut season, including a dominant showing in the Annapolis-to-Newport race. Today, it is recognized as a rare, highly capable "sleeper" PHRF racer and coastal cruiser that offers an intriguing alternative to contemporary performance boats of its era.
Design Brief & Intent
The primary mission of the Farr-designed Dickerson 37 was to combine the racing pedigree of a competitive International Offshore Rule (IOR) design with the liveaboard comfort and build quality expected of a premium East Coast semi-custom yard. Bruce Farr designed a boat that could stand up to the grueling demands of offshore racing while still presenting a warm, traditional aesthetic below decks. This dual nature set the model apart from contemporary production racer-cruisers, which often sacrificed interior finish to save weight.
Inside, the boat retains the classic Chesapeake Yacht styling. Unlike the stripped-out racing machines of the era, the Dickerson 37 interior is richly finished with warm teak joinery, structural bulkheads, and a traditional teak-and-holly sole. The layout is highly civilized, featuring a V-berth forward, a functional galley to port with proper dry storage, a starboard head with a wet locker, and a dedicated aft cabin to port. This comfortable interior arrangement ensured that once the weekend regatta was over, a couple or small family could comfortably cruise for weeks at a time.
Variations & Configurations
A key challenge for prospective buyers is distinguishing this performance cruiser from the unrelated, George Hazen-designed Dickerson 37 introduced in 1980. While the Hazen design was a heavy-displacement cruiser (displacing nearly 16,000 pounds) often rigged as a ketch or cutter with a modest 4.5-foot draft and a skeg-hung rudder, the Farr design is a completely different animal.
The Farr-designed Dickerson 37 was built exclusively as an aft-cockpit masthead sloop. It features a significantly lighter, optimized hull displacing 12,200 pounds and carries a deep, high-aspect 7.0-foot fin keel alongside a balanced spade rudder. The hull was constructed of solid, hand-laid fiberglass, skipping the balsa-coring in the hull sides found on some cruising models of the era to ensure maximum puncture resistance and structural rigidity 3.
Sailing Performance & Handling
The yacht's technical specifications translate directly to a lively, stiff, and weatherly feel at the helm. With a high ballast-to-displacement ratio of 46.32%, the boat stands up remarkably well to a breeze, resisting excessive heeling and converting wind pressure into immediate forward vector speed. This stiff characteristic allows the boat to carry a large sail plan, reflected in its impressive sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 19.98, which ensures excellent light-air performance—a major advantage in the light, summer airs of the Chesapeake Bay and Long Island Sound.
With a displacement-to-length ratio of 221.48, the hull sits firmly in the moderate-light category, allowing it to accelerate quickly and surf downwind when pressed. The comfort ratio of 21.39 indicates a motion that is more spirited than a traditional heavy cruising ketch, yet far more predictable and less fatiguing than modern, ultra-light displacement racers. Helming the boat in a seaway is an active but rewarding experience, as the high-aspect spade rudder provides instant grip and responsiveness, though it requires an attentive hand compared to full-keeled offshore cruisers. The capsize screening ratio of 2.11 is slightly over the standard offshore cruising limit of 2.0, a direct result of the wide beam of 12.17 feet dictated by the IOR design rules of the era. However, the deep lead keel and heavy ballast package mitigate this, providing a reassuring righting moment.
Known Issues & Triage
Because these boats were built to be raced hard under high-load conditions, structural triage is essential for any perspective buyer. The most critical area of inspection is the keel sump and the hull-to-keel joint. The massive righting moment generated by the deep 7-foot keel exerts significant leverage on the bilge section, and grounding damage or hard racing can fatigue the solid fiberglass laminate. Look for cracking or crazing around the floor frames and ensure the keel bolts are tight, dry, and free of corrosion.
The high-load rigging points also deserve close scrutiny. The backstay and chainplate hull attachments are subject to intense cyclic loading under the masthead rig. Check for hairline cracks in the gelcoat around these areas and look below deck for signs of structural shifting or water intrusion. Additionally, deck hardware, pulpits, and stanchion bases are common vectors for moisture ingress into the deck core; retrofitting backing plates in these high-stress areas is a mandatory defensive measure.
Modernization & Upgrades
The mechanical systems on surviving models are ripe for modernization. The original auxiliary engine was typically a 20-horsepower Volvo Penta MD11 diesel, which many owners have found underpowered when fighting strong head currents. Modernized examples often feature retrofitted 25- to 30-horsepower engines, such as three-cylinder Vetus or Yanmar diesels, paired with two-blade folding Max-Props to reduce drag under sail.
Rigging modernizations are highly popular among veteran owners who wish to transition these boats into fast, short-handed cruisers. Upgrades typically include converting the older mainsheet traveler systems to a more manageable two-speed setup, installing modern deck organizers, and adding high-efficiency line clutches. To offset the physical demands of the large headsails, many owners install modern adjustable genoa cars and hydraulic backstay adjusters, allowing the rig to be easily tuned from the cockpit without sending crew forward in heavy weather.
The Verdict
The Bruce Farr-designed Dickerson 37 is a rare breed of performance cruiser that successfully bridges two opposing design philosophies. It offers the exhilarating speed, pointing ability, and handling of a classic racing yacht, wrapped in a hull built with the uncompromising structural integrity and interior warmth of a traditional Chesapeake Bay yard. While it requires more active sail trim and has a deeper draft than traditional cruisers, it remains an exceptional value for sailors who refuse to compromise on sailing sensation or cabin comfort.
Pros
- Exceptional sailing performance, outstanding pointing ability, and impressive speed in light to moderate air.
- High ballast ratio makes the boat stiff, stable, and highly responsive under sail.
- Beautiful, traditional interior finish with rich teak joinery that surpasses standard production racers.
- Solid fiberglass hull construction provides excellent structural durability 3.
- Trades at a significant value on the brokerage market compared to European performance cruisers of the same era.
Cons
- The deep 7-foot draft limits access to shallow coastal cruising grounds, gunkholes, and some inland waterways.
- Often confused with the heavier, slower George Hazen-designed Dickerson 37, making careful verification necessary.
- High-load IOR masthead rig requires active deck work and physical effort to trim compared to modern fractional rigs.
- Spade rudder and deep keel assembly are vulnerable to damage from groundings and require thorough structural inspections.
