The Farr 1020 is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 28.4′, the Farr 1020 tops out around 7.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.4′ LWL = 7.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
117s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
21.0
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Ballast / Displacement
37.9%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
159
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
18.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.09
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
18.3
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.09
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Farr 1020 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Express 34
98s/nm
Olson 34
108s/nm
Farr 1020
117s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Peterson 34
120s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
5.9 |
6.6 |
7.2 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.7 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.1 kts),
SA/D (21.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Farr 1020 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Farr 1020.
|
Farr 1020 |
Express 34 |
J34 |
Olson 34 |
Peterson 34 |
Sweden Yachts 340 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
33.9 |
34.0 |
34.0 |
34.0 |
33.9 |
34.0 |
| LWL |
28.4 |
28.3 |
26.0 |
28.0 |
28.3 |
27.9 |
| Beam |
10.5 |
10.5 |
11.2 |
10.8 |
11.3 |
11.5 |
| Displacement |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
12 |
| Ballast |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
531 |
534 |
505 |
575 |
565 |
598 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
117 |
98 |
— |
108 |
120 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
21.0 |
20.6 |
20.1 |
22.2 |
18.6 |
17.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
37.9 |
43.5 |
— |
— |
47.2 |
41.1 |
| Comfort |
18.3 |
19.1 |
17.7 |
18.5 |
22.2 |
25.3 |
| Capsize |
2.09 |
2.06 |
2.23 |
2.13 |
2.04 |
1.98 |
| Hull Speed |
7.1 |
7.1 |
6.8 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
7.1 |