Farr 42 IRC (Performance 42)
Description
The Farr 42 IRC (also known as the Farr IRC 42, Farr Performance 42, or simply Farr 42 in IRC contexts) is a modern racer-cruiser designed by Bruce Farr (Farr Yacht Design #588) in the mid-2000s. It was commissioned by Austral Yachts (South Australia) to deliver a competitive IRC-rated boat for the Australian and international markets—strong in handicap racing (round-the-buoys and offshore) while offering real cruising comforts and dual-purpose capability. The design emphasizes IRC optimization: a low center of gravity (T-shaped keel with lead bulb on cast iron fin), minimized wetted surface, stiff hull for power, and a balanced rig for short-handed handling. It's fast and stable, with proven success in events like Hamilton Island Race Week (multiple podium finishes in IRC divisions, e.g., 1st, 2nd, 3rd results for boats like Evolution Racing or 3 Cool Cats). Construction uses E-glass sandwich (hull/deck/interior grid) for lightness and strength, with options for aluminum or carbon rigs (swept spreaders, prod or pole for downwind). Built by Austral Yachts (South Australia) as a semi-custom/limited series starting around 2006–2007 (some exported internationally). Exact hull count is low (dozens, not hundreds), as it's a niche IRC racer-cruiser rather than mass-production. It's still sought after in Australia for IRC/PHS racing, with good resale value for well-maintained examples.
Construction Details
| Designer | Bruce Farr |
|---|---|
| Builder | Austral Yachts (South Australia) |
| Length | 41.800 ft |
| LOA | 41.800 ft |
| LWL | 37.200 ft |
| Beam | 12.900 ft |
| Displacement | 16094 lb |
| Ballast | 7300 lb |
| Max Draft | 8.400 ft |
| Year Built | 2006 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 56.80 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 16.20 ft |
| p | 56.80 ft |
| e | 19.90 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56.80 ft | 16.20 ft | 56.80 ft | 19.90 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Farr 42 IRC (Performance 42) - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 56.8 ft - (17313 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 19.9 ft - (6066 mm) |
| Leech | * 59.25 ft - (18059 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 59.53 ft - (18145 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 577.12 ft² |
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Farr 42 IRC (Performance 42) - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 47.25 ft - (14402 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 17.8 ft - (5425 mm) |
| Leech | * 41.03 ft - (12506 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 94.2 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 15.26 ft - (4651 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 15.07 ° |
| Area | * 360.52 ft² |
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Farr 42 IRC (Performance 42) - GENOA
| Luff | * 56.11 ft - (17102 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 21.94 ft - (6687 mm) |
| Leech | * 51.74 ft - (15770 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 124.88 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 20.23 ft - (6166 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 6.84 ° |
| Area | * 567.58 ft² |
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Farr 42 IRC (Performance 42) - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | * 56.11 ft - (17102 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 26.73 ft - (8147 mm) |
| Leech | * 51.62 ft - (15734 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 1125 ft² |
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Farr 42 IRC (Performance 42) - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 56.11 ft - (17102 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 29.16 ft - (8888 mm) |
| Foot | * 29.16 ft - (8888 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 1391 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator |
Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.
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