The Farr 1104 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, 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 28.5′, the Farr 1104 tops out around 7.2 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √28.5′ LWL = 7.2 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
105s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
24.3
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
40.1%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
164
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
15.8
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.34
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
15.8
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
2.34
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 1104 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Frers 36
93s/nm
Farr 1104
105s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
C&C 36
132s/nm
Sabre 36
144s/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° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.1 |
5.1 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.0 |
6.3 |
7.1 |
7.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.6 |
5.8 |
6.5 |
7.1 |
| Run150–180° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.2 kts),
SA/D (24.3), 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 1104 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–18 kts
18–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ 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 1104.
|
Farr 1104 |
C&C 36 |
Frers 36 |
S2 110 C |
Sabre 36 |
Sigma 362 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
36.0 |
| LWL |
28.5 |
— |
29.5 |
28.3 |
29.3 |
28.0 |
| Beam |
11.9 |
— |
12.0 |
11.9 |
11.3 |
11.5 |
| Displacement |
8 |
— |
10 |
16 |
13 |
12 |
| Ballast |
3 |
— |
5 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
631 |
— |
668 |
625 |
610 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
105 |
132 |
93 |
— |
144 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
24.3 |
— |
21.8 |
15.8 |
17.5 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
40.1 |
— |
49.5 |
— |
— |
41.6 |
| Comfort |
15.8 |
— |
19.6 |
29.8 |
25.9 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.34 |
— |
2.17 |
1.90 |
1.91 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
7.2 |
— |
7.3 |
7.1 |
7.3 |
— |