The Farr 395 is aggressively canvassed for its weight, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, and competitive on the racecourse.
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 34.1′, the Farr 395 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.1′ LWL = 7.8 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
33s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
SA / Displacement
24.6
Performance-oriented — carries a lot of canvas for its weight.
Ballast / Displacement
36.6%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
140
Ultralight — responsive and fast, but carries less stores.
Comfort Ratio
19.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.10
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
9lbs
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
19.4
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
2.10
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 395 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Farr 395
33s/nm
Performance racer — quick around the cans and offshore.
X 119
57s/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° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Close Reach60° |
4.5 |
5.6 |
6.3 |
6.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
5.5 |
6.9 |
7.7 |
8.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
5.1 |
6.4 |
7.1 |
7.7 |
| Run150–180° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (24.6), 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 395 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–5 kts
5–16 kts
16–24 kts
24+ kts
Ghosting
0–5 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
5–16 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
16–24 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
24+ 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 395.
|
Farr 395 |
Bavaria 390 |
Cr 400 Ds |
J39 |
Oceanis 393 Beneteau |
X 119 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
39.4 |
39.4 |
39.5 |
39.4 |
39.4 |
39.4 |
| LWL |
34.1 |
34.1 |
35.4 |
32.5 |
33.1 |
33.6 |
| Beam |
12.2 |
13.1 |
11.7 |
12.4 |
13.1 |
10.7 |
| Displacement |
12 |
17 |
17 |
12 |
17 |
11 |
| Ballast |
4 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
826 |
720 |
904 |
799 |
720 |
794 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
33 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
57 |
| SA/Disp |
24.6 |
17.0 |
21.8 |
23.3 |
17.3 |
25.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
36.6 |
36.3 |
42.3 |
— |
35.3 |
42.3 |
| Comfort |
19.4 |
24.6 |
27.6 |
20.1 |
— |
21.4 |
| Capsize |
2.10 |
2.02 |
1.81 |
2.12 |
— |
1.90 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.8 |
8.0 |
7.6 |
— |
7.8 |