Formula News
- 2 Oct 2007
Farr 11 (Canting Keel) No.1 sails in the US
The Farr 11s has a 45-degree canting keel, twin asymmetric canards and twin retractable rudders on a hull with high form stability. This combination has been explored in Farr’s Open 60, VO70, Cookson 50 and Leopard 3 research work.
There has been considerable interest world wide in a mono hull that fits this vision and there are a number of examples similar to this style of boat. The acceptance of canting keel technology and the incredible outright speed of the VO 70’s and Open 60’s has opened many sailors’ minds to new frontiers of high performance monohull sailing.
The rig is a transplant from skiff rig development with a large square-headed main on a highly swept spreader, no backstay rig. The concept should provide some automatic de powering, and minimize demands on the crew during manoeuvres to leave hands available for canard operation, keel activation and sail handling. The retractable bowsprit stretches the sail plan to allow ample downwind sail area in the form of asymmetric spinnakers.
Please read the first sailing report from the US here:
Article on Farr 11 “Stray Dog” posted 10/01/07
www.sailinganarchy.com
First Time
Our friend Boyd Tomkies, from Compete At Sailing sent us this brief report from sailing on the new Farr 11.
After months of waiting, today was D-day for the new Farr 11,“Stray Dog”. It was a typical day on the Chesapeake, 3-4kt’s, gusting to 5-6kt’s. Not quite the ideal sailing conditions, but no one cared, we had a new boat ready for her maiden sail.
With the blind leading the blind and a stack of 8.5 x11’s from the Farr office with cant angles, VPP predictions and polars, we hoisted sails to see what she would do.
We bobbed around the bay from puff to puff looking for that extra bit of wind to see what we could get out of her. We didn’t see the wind we wanted, but we did get a glimpse of Stray Dog’s potential.
From time to time we got little puffs which required us to cant the boat, a little cant, and she instantaneously accelerated. What a great feeling. No doubt she is going to be a blast in breeze.
This pure sex machine has it all, PBO standing rigging, monster main sail with big roach, curved spreaders allowing bigger non over lapping jibs, canards, twin rudders and carbon everywhere.
I’m thoroughly impressed with the canting mechanism. From center to full cant it is less than 3 or 4 seconds. It’s like putting five guys on the rail in 4 seconds.
We sailed with six on board and it was very easy to sail, but there was a learning curve. In addition to being a new boat, she presents new tasks: canard up, rudder down, cant keel. By the end of our sail we had a routine. It was a pleasure to drive and felt different from a Farr40 or Farr36, I suspect that is because of the mechanics of having twin rudders and the others boats being direct tiller to rudder.
The built quality, lamination and finish work is first class, This builder has an eye for detail. All in all, the boat exceeded my expectations. Those Farr boys really know how to design a great boat, yacht design has come along way from the days when I raced around the world on Maiden.
The Fall series starts this Saturday, let’s hope for some breeze!