The Farr 727 - Classic New Zealand Yacht Design
The
SSANZ Two Handed triple series kicks of on July 5th.
We’re
hoping for up to ten 727 entries.
Get your
entry in now!
RAYC
Winter series commencing May 18th
NOR
& Entry are available on the Racing Page
Looking to Buy a 727? – Checkout the
For Sale Page
The Farr 727 is a mighty little yacht that
has played a crucial part in the success of New Zealand yacht racing. Not
only is this diminutive yacht a delight to sail, it is responsible for
launching some of New
Zealand's top yachties on international careers,
which has led to such international success today.
It all
started with a Farr 727 called 45 South, which was shipped to Europe in 1975 with its sistership, Genie.
45
South,
helmed by Roy Dickson and Graeme Woodroffe, won the 1975 World Quarter Ton
Cup Championship at Deauville, France - a milestone in the modern history of
New Zealand yachting. It was the first time that a yacht designed, built and
sailed by New Zealanders won a major international offshore event.
This event
also launched Bruce Farr, then only 26, on a career as an international
designer, which has resulted in the unchallenged title of world's top race
yacht designer.
The 727
was developed from Bruce Farr's original quarter ton design, Fantzipantz,
which Farr sailed to victory in the 1973 New Zealand Quarter Ton
Championships. Farr was asked by his friend, Murray Crockett of Alpha Marine
Ltd to design a production version of Fantzipantz, and the result was
the Farr 727, only one foot longer and with the rudder hung just under the
stern instead of the original transom-hung blade.
Glass
fibre production of the 727 started in March, 1974. More were sold overseas
than in New Zealand, 60 in
France,
40 in Canada, 15 in Japan, and 6 in Western Australia.
The 727
has a timeless design, with the Farr design signature still seen in Farr
boats today - knuckle bow, a straight run to raked keel and flat run aft to
tapered rudder. So it's not surprising that the 727 was such a success.
The little
speedster is fast, easy and exciting to sail, able to plane downwind in fresh
breezes - all the ingredients for international success and a timeless racing
yacht, which is why you'll still find the 727 class enjoying competitive fleet
racing today.
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