About the Farr 30
The Farr 30 International One Design is more known as the Mumm 30. It is a Offshore One Design racer constructed in 1995 by Bruce Farr and Associates. In the Farr design history, it followed after the Mumm 36 and is the predecessor of the Farr 40.
The class is perhaps most famous for having been selected class for the Tour de France à la Voile (TFV) from 1999 to 2010. TFV is France’s toughest fleet race and is sailed over 1000 nautical miles with both demanding offshore legs as well as tight and competitive inshore racing. The race takes a full month to complete and puts high demands on the boats in terms of durability and strength.
The class has been sailed on both the international Grand Prix level as well as on local circuits. The World Championship alternates between US and Europe and continental championships are sailed every year in US, Europe and Australia.
In Scandinavia/Baltic, the class is growing now when used boats are available at competitive prices. In 2005, there were no Mumm/Farr 30s in Scandinavia but that has started to change in the last years. Today (2010) there are over 10 boats in the region and with neighbors Russia (St Petersburg), Germany and the Netherlands we are about 30 boats and growing.
The Farr 30 is sailed with max 525 kg of crew weight, making it ideal for 6-7 sailors.
The Farr 30 is a very versatile Offshore One Design racer. It appeals to the avid offshore and inshore racers as well as the “reunion team”, getting together after earlier adventures. It is perfect for introducing teenagers to big boat racing and it is perfect for all teams that wants to take their racing to the next level.
Make no mistake about it – the Farr 30 is as far as you can get from a cruiser/racer. It is for those who loves an exciting, super-effective sailing machine in all conditions from the lightest upwind to the breeziest downhill ride. In the Farr 30, you will experience sailing as fast as the true wind speed in the light stuff (4 kts upwind in 4 kts of true wind), being fully powered in 8 kts of wind and in 30+ kts downhill, the log will be parked north of 18 knots with peaks to 28 if the spinnaker is still up. The interior is functional for racing. Nothing more, nothing less.
When other classes stay parked at the marina, the Farr 30 sailors are out with big grins, feeling that the boat can be trusted. This class has been doing the Tour de France a la Voile for 11 years and dismastings or structural failures are not only uncommon – they are unheard of.
The Farr 30 is an extremely well thought out racer and it is very well suited for Scandinavian waters. Lots of light wind during summer, with occasional heavy breeze (explicitly during the fall). The trailer makes the long coastlines shorter to handle.
Surely there must be a downside, you think. Farr 30 owners do have problems finding any, but the key question is – “downside compared to what?”. The Farr 30 is not a cruiser, so if you’re looking for a cruiser that would be a no-no. It is 30 feet so you can not really compare it to a Laser SB3, CB-66 or a Melges 24. It is a Big Boat in a small costume. If you want 100 boats on the starting line, look for smaller boats. But if you suffice with 40 competitive teams in a World Championship, 10-20 boats in regional One Design racing and at the same time can join the handicap fleet in LYS, IRC or ORCi and go offshore with it, this boat is for you.
