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Farr 45
Designer: Bruce Farr  ·  First built: 1996
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About the Farr 45

Designed by the renowned Farr Yacht Design team, this 45-footer represents the hallmark characteristics that made Bruce Farr's designs legendary in both racing and performance cruising circles. The Farr 45 embodies the design philosophy that dominated yacht racing through the 1980s and beyond, featuring the signature combination of sleek lines, efficient hull forms, and balanced sailing characteristics. Built for sailors who demand performance without sacrificing seaworthiness, this boat excels in both coastal cruising and competitive racing environments. The design showcases Farr's expertise in creating hulls that slice cleanly through water while maintaining stability and control in challenging conditions. The yacht's moderate displacement and well-proportioned sail plan deliver responsive handling that rewards skilled helmsmanship. Like other Farr designs from this era, the 45 likely features a fin keel configuration optimized for both speed and tracking ability. The cockpit and deck layout prioritize efficient crew work during racing while remaining comfortable for extended cruising. These boats have earned respect among sailing enthusiasts for their durability and consistent performance across various wind and sea conditions, making them sought-after choices for serious sailors seeking a proven design with excellent sailing qualities.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 45.50 ft / 13.87 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 40.08 ft / 12.22 m
Beam 13.75 ft / 4.19 m
Max Draft 9.83 ft / 3.00 m
Displacement 15,763.00 lb / 7,150 kg
Ballast 8,351.00 lb / 3,788 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel w/bulb
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bruce Farr
First Built 1996
Number Built 20
Related Sailboats ["J/46" · "Swan 45" · "Cc 45" · "X 452" · "J/45"]
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
-21
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
52.98
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
109.3
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 11.81 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.04
P (Mainsail Luff) 1,215.00 ft² / 112.88 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Yanmar
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 47
Fuel Capacity 25 gals / 95 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
How It Compares

vs. Cc 45, Swan 45, X 452

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Farr 45 ★
45.5 ft
Cc 45
45.3 ft
Swan 45
45.4 ft
X 452
45.7 ft
LWL
Farr 45 ★
40.1 ft
Cc 45
39.1 ft
Swan 45
39.6 ft
X 452
35.3 ft
Beam
Farr 45 ★
13.8 ft
Cc 45
13.8 ft
Swan 45
12.8 ft
X 452
13.9 ft
Displacement
Farr 45 ★
15 lbs
Cc 45
19 lbs
Swan 45
21 lbs
X 452
19 lbs
Ballast
Farr 45 ★
8 lbs
Cc 45
9 lbs
Swan 45
8 lbs
X 452
8 lbs
Sail Area
Farr 45 ★
Cc 45
1 sq ft
Swan 45
X 452
1 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Farr 45 ★
Cc 45
24.9
Swan 45
X 452
22.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Farr 45 ★
53.0 %
Cc 45
Swan 45
39.7 %
X 452
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Farr 45 ★
Cc 45
22.0
Swan 45
X 452
23.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Farr 45 ★
Cc 45
2.06
Swan 45
X 452
2.07
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Farr 45 ★
109
Cc 45
Swan 45
156
X 452
Hull Speed
Farr 45 ★
Cc 45
8.4 kts
Swan 45
X 452
8.0 kts
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