The new F-39 range of designs supplement the Farrier F-36, plans of which were originally released in 1994. The cruising orientated and road transportable F-36 has already established an excellent reputation with a number of ocean crossings, including multihull line honors in the 3500 mile Cape to Rio Race in 1996, and one circumnavigation.
There are two versions of the F-39 currently available as follows:
F-39 Sport Cruiser (PDF file)The perfect high performance cruiser, and available in both aft cabin and aft cockpit versions. Performance will be about equivalent to an F-31R – faster in some conditions, slower in others.
F-39R Sport Racer (PDF file)A higher performance version, with a more basic interior, and also available in both aft cabin and aft cockpit versions. Performance will be significantly superior to an F-31R, in all conditions.
Aft cabin versions provide a very secure and safe central cockpit, surrounded by a raised coaming on all sides, that can comfortably seat six. Aft cockpit versions have a tremendous amount of cockpit space, extending right to transom, and can easily seat ten.
Accommodation Layouts (PDF file)
The F-39 design series is a combination of the best aspects of the F-25C, F-31, F-31R, and F-36, coupled with many improvements from owner feedback, and a number of other new features. Rotating masts with synthetic rigging and carbon fiber chainplates are standard across the range, as is a ‘kickup’ daggerboard style rudder. A conventional fixed mast with stainless steel rigging is still an option for the cruiser, but rotating masts with synthetic rigging are now looking more reliable, with fewer rigging connections required, while synthetic line is not as fatigue or corrosion prone as stainless steel wire. The successful ’round the world’ mega cats all used such rigs and reliability was a major reason.
The F-39 is folding as standard, specifically for marina docking, or canal traversing. Most importantly, absolutely no wires are used for critical structural purposes, as stainless steel wires and the associated fittings are not considered reliable enough for this purpose on a Farrier design. The highly stressed beam to float joins are solid as always, this being another major advantage of the Farrier Folding System™.
Folding Details (PDF file)
Standard folded beam is 15′ 9″ (4.8m), but this can also be reduced to 15′ (4.57m) by a float topside modification. However, 15′ 9″ beam is within Category 1 for European canal networks, and is thus small enough to access most canal systems, including right through France to the Mediterranean. It will also fit most travel lifts, these usually allowing for a 16′ beam.
The F-39 floats are 15% larger than the F-36, and incorporate a shaped deck that comes up to form a flat raised area for mounting the outboard edge of the wingnets. This eliminates any fore and aft aluminum tube for this purpose, or any awkward ‘dip down’ in the net. When folded, the side of this raised area also forms a flat walkway on the float inner edge along the cabin side.
Floats also fold in more vertical to eliminate the need for any anti-fouling high on the float side. Folded trailering is not a feature, as the center hull and floats would have to be too small to achieve a legal trailering width in this size boat. However the F-39 can still be trailered at under 10′ (3m) wide by demounting. The demounting process has also been further streamlined for an easier set up and take down, and without any outside assistance.
Deck layout is kept very simple, for easy single-handed sailing, with all controls coming back to the cockpit, including the halyards from the rotating mast. A continuing innovation from the F-36 is the bow wing, which has successfully solved the trimaran narrow foredeck problem, by providing additional bow side netting area, and an excellent storage place for the anchor, ready for immediate use. Further forward, the carbon fiber bow pole is fully retractable
Technical Details
The F-39 features a number of technical improvements, including a more refined ‘third generation’ Farrier Folding System, as also used in the new F-33. This has been specifically optimized for serious ocean going, with a more integrated structural support system. The beam recesses (notches) in the center hull deck are now gone, for a cleaner and safer deck, while also eliminating any interior intrusion. Carbon fiber anchors have also replaced all folding strut brackets, reducing weight and complexity.
The actual beams are also higher and slimmer at outer ends for less drag and an even drier ride. The inner beam connections to hull also have twin bolts per beam end, for true ocean going ‘fail safe’ reliability. Single bolts are fine for coastal sailing, or smaller trailerables, and are all that is required for use on the F-39 during localized sailing, where frequent folding may be a factor. However, double bolts should always be used for long offshore passages for absolute security.
F-39 Specifications
L.O.A……………………………….. 39′ 4″ (12m)
B.O.A……………………………….. 27′ 3″ (8.33m)
L.W.L……………………………….. 37′ (11.28m)
Approx. bare weight ………….. 5500 – 7000lbs (2500kg – 3180kg)
Full load. displ (at DWL)…….. 10,500lbs (4775kg)
F-39 rotating mast……………… 52′ 4″ (15.96m) long
F-39 sail area (main & jib)…… 890sq.ft (82.4sq.m.)
F-39R rotating mast……………. 55′ 3″ (16.85m) long
F-39R sail area (main & jib)… 944sq.ft (87.5sq.m.)
Draft (board up)…………………. 1′ 10″ (0.56m)
Draft (board down)…………….. 6′ 11″ (2.11m)
Availability
Due to the F-39’s advanced nature, plans are available for experienced or custom builders only, and a number of F-39s are currently being built around the world.
See the launch of an F-39
F-36, F-39, F-39R, are all trademarks of Farrier Marine, Inc.