Design Brief & Intent
The Farr Phase 4 was conceptualized for an owner who refuses to sacrifice the joy of helming a fast, responsive yacht in exchange for cruising amenities. In an era dominated by heavy, full-keeled offshore cruisers on one end and fragile, stripped-out IOR racing machines on the other, the Phase 4 carved out a distinct niche. It is a genuine dual-purpose vessel that stands up exceptionally well against contemporary rivals like the Beneteau First 40.5 and the Australian-built Northshore 38.
The interior design reflects a meticulous attention to joinery and craftsmanship. Binks Yacht Constructions utilized high-quality timber and matched veneers, often working in tandem with elite cabinetmakers to deliver a level of finish that feels semi-custom. The saloon features a spacious layout with comfortable longitudinal settees and a functional centerline or fold-up table. The use of rich, warm timbers avoids the dark, cave-like feel of older traditional yachts thanks to carefully placed deck hatches and portlights that flood the interior with natural light. Storage is extensive and cleverly integrated, acknowledging the realities of long-distance cruising without cluttering the living spaces.
Variations & Configurations
While Bruce Farr’s hull lines remained strictly identical across the production run to preserve sailing dynamics, the Phase 4 was primarily delivered in a highly functional three-cabin, two-head layout. This configuration was revolutionary for a 39-foot boat of its era. It features a private V-berth forward with its own head, alongside twin mirror-image double quarter berths aft, supported by a second day-head.
The galley is configured inline along the port side. This layout maximizes floor space in the saloon and allows multiple crew members to move through the cabin without disrupting the cook, though it requires a secure belt or lee cloth when preparing meals on a port tack.
The deck layout features a moderate-sized, highly secure cockpit that balances outdoor entertainment space with ocean-going safety. A key design choice was the masthead sloop rig. Unlike the complex, fractional, runner-dependent rigs found on Farr's pure racing designs, the masthead configuration on the Phase 4 provides a simpler, highly robust sail plan that can be easily managed shorthand. Draft was kept to a moderate 5.58 feet (1.70 meters) by utilizing a high-aspect fin keel terminating in a hydrodynamic ballast bulb. This allows access to shallower coastal anchorages without severely compromising righting moment or windward performance.
Sailing Performance & Handling
On the water, the Phase 4 behaves with the characteristic grace of a classic Bruce Farr hull. With a displacement of 13,025 pounds and a waterline length of 32.35 feet, the vessel has a Displacement-to-Length (D/L) ratio of 171.75. This categorizes the boat in the light-to-medium displacement range, ensuring it remains incredibly light on the helm and highly responsive to trim changes. The hull shape, with its wide beam of 12.37 feet carried well aft, allows the boat to easily transition into surfing mode when running downwind in a blow.
With a Sail Area-to-Displacement (SA/D) ratio of 18.32, the Phase 4 carries a powerful, highly efficient sail plan. It excels in light-to-moderate air, ghosting along at hull speed when heavier cruisers are forced to turn on their diesels. The ballast-to-displacement ratio of 37.62% provides a solid righting moment. When paired with the bulb keel, this ballast placement ensures the boat carries its sail plan well into the upper teens before needing a reef.
Its physical behavior in a seaway is characterized by an active but highly predictable motion, as indicated by a Comfort Ratio of 20.5. While she will feel more lively than a heavy-displacement cruiser, she makes up for it in raw speed, shortening transit times and minimizing crew fatigue through efficiency. The Capsize Screening Formula sits at 2.1. While this technical threshold theoretically places the boat outside the strict mathematical bounds of classic, heavy-displacement "bluewater-only" vessels, real-world experience has proven the Phase 4 is a highly capable blue-water cruiser. Hulls have successfully completed rigorous South Pacific crossings, behaving safely in storm conditions when properly handled.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because they were built to exacting standards by premium Australian yards, Farr Phase 4 hulls are relatively scarce and highly sought after on the brokerage market, particularly in Oceania. They command a premium compared to generic production boats of the same vintage, trading on their superior build pedigree, structural integrity, and timeless sailing performance.
Prospective owners should expect typical refit economics associated with late-1980s GRP vessels. While the hulls are generally solid, any yacht of this era will require a thorough evaluation of its standing rigging, chainplates, and deck coring. Many examples have transitioned through multiple owners who have upgraded the original Volvo Penta power plants to modern Nanni or Volvo engines, which greatly enhances their market value and cruising reliability.
Known Issues & Triage
While Binks Yacht Constructions utilized superior hand-laid GRP construction, there are specific areas that require careful inspection when assessing a Farr Phase 4:
- Deck Core Inspections: Like most yachts of this era, the decks feature a balsa or foam core for stiffness. Hardware that has not been rebed over the decades can allow moisture penetration, leading to soft spots around the chainplates, stanchion bases, and the mast step.
- Rudder Bearings and Play: The high-aspect spade rudder experiences significant loads. Inspect the rudder post and composite bearings for excessive play or moisture ingress in the rudder blade itself.
- Hull-to-Deck Joint: Ensure the mechanical fasteners and sealant along the hull-to-deck flange are sound, as legacy leaks in this area can damage the interior timber cabinetry.
Modernization & Upgrades
Many Phase 4 owners have successfully modernized their vessels to match the demands of modern self-sufficient cruising. The generous flat coachroof and deck areas provide excellent real estate for high-efficiency marine solar arrays. Modernizing the electrical backbone with lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery banks is a highly viable upgrade, easily supported by the boat's large GRP water and fuel tanks (which carry up to 180 gallons of fresh water). Upgrades to feathering or folding propellers are common and highly recommended, as they dramatically reduce drag, allowing this slippery hull to make the most of light-air sailing.
The Verdict
The Farr Phase 4 is an exceptional, pedigreed cruiser-racer that successfully satisfies the difficult brief of being both a fast, rewarding sailboat and a comfortable three-cabin cruiser. It is best suited for discerning sailors who value sailing feel, speed, and build quality over the cavernous, caravan-like interiors of modern, wide-stern cruising designs.
Pros
- Exceptional Bruce Farr sailing performance with superb light-air capability and off-the-wind speed.
- High-quality Australian construction from Binks Yacht Constructions, featuring excellent hand-laid GRP and beautiful timber joinery.
- Highly functional three-cabin, two-head layout that accommodates families or guests in comfort.
- Simple, reliable masthead sloop rig that is easily managed by a shorthand crew.
Cons
- Lively motion in a heavy seaway compared to heavy-displacement cruising designs.
- Relatively scarce on the global brokerage market, with most models located in the Southern Hemisphere.
- The inline port-side galley can be challenging to cook in when heeled on a port tack.
