design the new FarrierFarrier F-32F-32 I by IAN FARRIER HE F-32 comes in several forms, same as the F-33, its trailering beam the F-32A, F-32AX, or F-32R and being around 2.9m (9’ 6”), which will The F-32 is the home of T F-32RX, with both aft cabin and require a permit to trailer, but this is usually easily obtainable in most areas. custom builder’s aft cockpit versions, and all can be built version of the by home or professional builders. The F-32 (like the F-33) has also been specifically designed with an ocean going Australian built F-33 The F-32A is the standard narrower main hull version, the ‘A’ signifying capability in mind. This is for those production boat, intrepid sailors who cannot resist going whose availability has Amateur builder. The F-32AX is a wider, roomier version, the ‘X’ standing for offshore in what may intended to be a been very limited by a extra room. The F-32R and F-32RX are trailerable yacht for bay and coastal sailing, such as my older F-9/F-31 design restricted production the racing versions with a taller rig, the series. The F-9/F-31 has now made a capability. The F-32 is ‘R’ standing for Race. number of Atlantic and Pacific crossings, intended to help The F-32A will have one major overcome this by and if one can’t stop such sailors from advantage over the F-33 - it is probably ocean crossing, then one may as well providing a close the largest legally trailerable folding make the boat as safe as possible. Thus alternative that can trimaran (without permit) in the world, its the F-32 has all the necessary structural be built anywhere trailering beam being as little as 2.5m and safety features for extended offshore by anyone. (8’ 2 1/2”). The F-32AX version is wider, sailing designed in. Multihull World 55 In regards to performance, F-33 has going capability, while also remaining deck have been eliminated for a cleaner already established an excellent race realistically trailerable. The F-32 is thus a deck, (no foot traps) and no interior record, having taken line honors in Class serious and roomy cruiser, but one that intrusion. Folding struts have been set A multihulls in the 2004 ‘Round the also just happens to be very fast. higher, keeping them further away from Island’ race in the UK, and winning on wave tops, and less likely to generate any Design Features: handicap. Some 1682 boats took part in spray. To further improve dryness, the this years event, including 50 multihulls, The F-32 is a brand new ‘state-of-the- beams were made even slimmer and the race being run around the Isle of art’ design, and all variations come with 50mm (22) higher at the outer ends, and Wight. The winning F-33R took fourth the now typical Farrier features such as reshaped to direct any spray downwards. efficient rotating masts, deep over the line, finishing behind Grand Prix As a result, the beams are more Class multihulls such as Bruno Peryon’s daggerboards for excellent windward streamlined for less drag, and will direct maxi 120ft Cat Orange, and Francis ability and handling, retractable bow any spray down and under the boat. Joyon’s 90ft tri Idec. pole, easy trailerability, while auxiliary The inner beam end to main hull The F-33R then went on to win the new power can be provided by up to a 20hp connections are now external, as on the multihull class of Skandia Cowes Week, outboard or a lightweight inboard. F-33, for easier setup and maintenance, with almost 1,000 yachts and 8,000 In other areas the F-32 represents a competitors taking part. Six out of the major step forward from all my previous while also giving shorter beams for a eight races were won, for maximum designs, with a number of significant lower trailering height, and less windage points scored, while a top speed of 24.6 advances, as pioneered by the F-33, on the road. knots was recorded. These include carbon fibre chainplates, The cockpit seating area has been However, neither the F-32 or F-33 are synthetic rigging as standard, a carbon moved higher to give better visibility intended to be specialist racers, the design fibre traveller, and a major revision of the forward, and more room underneath, but object for both being to create roomy, Farrier Folding System™. it is still low enough so that one still has rugged, and very safe maxi sport cruisers. The folding system now has a more a good sense of security from sitting more They are still light enough to provide the integrated structural support system. The in the boat rather than on it, particularly necessary load capacity for a good ocean beam recesses (notches) in the centre hull with aft cabin models. 56 Multihull World F-32 trailer view. (right) F-32 bow view. (below) F-32R Aft Cockpit Short Cabin Version The overall deck layout is simple, but swung back to reduce draft for shallow sophisticated to where the F-32 can easily water. This makes it difficult to effectively be sailed single-handed. All controls use one of the multihull’s best features - come back to the cockpit, including the the shallow draft. Daggerboard rudders halyards from the rotating mast. The solve this problem by lifting vertically, optional bow wing has also solved the but this one can also kick back for safety. usual trimaran narrow foredeck problem, Interior by providing additional bow side netting Both aft cabin and aft cockpit versions area, and an excellent storage place for are available, and berths include single or the anchor, ready for immediate use. double berth options in the forward cabin, The F-33 style kick back daggerboard plus convertible double or single options rudder is standard. Kick-up rudders, in the main cabin. The aft cabin double where the rudder blade can swing back in berth has ample sitting headroom, and a the case, have been used successfully on foot well can divide it into two separate my designs and others for years. But they singles, with a comfortable seating area come with one annoying problem - they around the sides. A centre table could also are just about impossible to use when be fitted. F-32R Aft Cockpit Cabin Version Multihull World 57 F-32AX Deck Layout A private and completely separate bathroom with shower is located forward in the main cabin, and is accessed privately from the forward area. The several interior layouts available can be mixed and matched as required, provided designated structural bulkheads remain as designed. Full size patterns for all internal bulkheads and most interior panels are included in plans, or these can also be obtained as DXF files for CNC cutting of these parts. Construction The F-32 is built using the now well proven method of building the hulls split vertically down the centre, in simple female form frames. The supplied full size patterns are only used once, there being no need to mark their reverse side and then flip them over for marking the opposite hull side. The building frames are instead just flipped around to build the other hull half - much easier and faster - half the work in fact. Once both hull halves are complete, they are joined down the centreline, the ideal place for extra reinforcement. Gunwale is no longer a join, and can thus be clean and well rounded. The considerable time required to later ‘frame up’ for the deck and cabin is also avoided. Material options include the Farrier developed vertical foam stripping which offers a significant saving in weight and building time, while the traditional fore and aft strip planked Cedar can still be used if wished. However, wood boats can be difficult to insure and sell these days, so foam core is now preferred and strongly recommended. Vertical foam stripping is easily the fastest procedure, and the advantages apparent from boats already built have now made it the primary method. Vertical strips are easier than the usual fore and aft strips, with much wider, easy to handle short strips, with a massive 75% less glue lines to do, and a much fairer hull. 58 Multihull World Other advantages of foam include avoiding the tendency of wood strips to move with differing humidity levels, and the now lower cost of foam in many areas. Less expensive polyester or vinylester resins can also be used, which can be an important advantage to those with an epoxy allergy. The connecting beams, and associated hull mounts are made using carbon fibre and/or glass, or it will be possible to purchase the beams ready made if wished to save time and maximise ease of construction. The newly developed beam hull mounts may only be available ready made however. The Folding System Struts can also be either self made from the plans or purchased ready made. Plans are comprehensive and many sheets are now in colour. If one wants to build a superb boat, efficiently and quickly, then there is no better way to start than with a set of highly detailed plans. Farrier plans are simply the best available, and the F-32 has over 70 extensive computer generated 3-D drawings with step by step instructions, to help eliminate hundreds of hours of building or ‘working it out’ time by the builder. Full plans should be ready for release in early 2005, though an immediate start is now possible, with both floats and main hull drawings complete.