Fram's Building and Sailing Pages

The Farrier F-39 trimaran, a further development of the Farrier F-36, is a large, ocean-going sport cruiser incorporating the third-generation Farrier Folding System™. This provides exceptional versatility for an ocean-capable multihull. With a folded beam of 15 ft (4.57 m), the boat is narrow enough to access most inland waterways and locks.

The fractional rig is efficient and easy to handle in all conditions, allowing the boat to be sailed close to its full potential with a minimal sail inventory. The self-tacking jib and the screecher, set from the bow pole, eliminate the traditional genoa and the need for frequent sail changes, greatly simplifying sail handling—particularly advantageous for cruising.

The daggerboard is centrally located in the main hull, while the newly designed transom-hung, daggerboard-style kick-up rudder is housed in its own composite case. The self-draining centre cockpit with wheel steering comfortably seats six. A 29 HP Yanmar inboard engine is installed beneath the cockpit in an easily accessible location. Under power, manoeuvrability is excellent, as the trimaran’s centre hull and daggerboard act as natural pivot points.

The interior accommodates up to eight people and offers standing headroom throughout. The galley is to port, with a chart table to starboard and an adjacent wet locker. The dinette seats five and converts into a large double berth. The starboard settee is wide and comfortable and can be converted into upper and lower berths. Forward is a private bathroom with toilet, washbasin, and a separate shower. The forward cabin contains a double berth, seating space aft, and generous storage underneath. The aft cabin provides a double berth with full sitting headroom and can be accessed either through a forward hatch or from beneath the cockpit.

After the F-36 plans were released, Ian Farrier further developed the design into the F-39. With the updated plans, this design combines the best aspects of the F-25C, F-31, F-31R, and F-36, supplemented by numerous improvements based on F-36 owner feedback. In my view, these designs represent the next generation of Farrier trimarans, incorporating newer materials and design insights, partly influenced by recent successes in large multihull racing.

Whereas the F-36 is equipped with a fixed beam—demountable only for occasional transport—the most significant modification of the F-39 is the addition of the Farrier Folding System for marina berthing and canal navigation. Other new features include:

F-39 compared to F-36

• Introduction of a vertical foam strip building method, reducing the number of form frames by four;
• Cabin roof raised by 40 mm, allowing the cabin sole to be raised by the same amount, increasing interior width and underfloor storage;
• Floats (15% larger) and main hull extended at bow and stern, resulting in an overall length of 39 ft 4 in (12 m);
• A redesigned and simplified third-generation Farrier Folding System™, optimised for serious ocean-going use, with integrated structural support and no beam recesses in the main hull deck;
• Elimination of most metal brackets and large bolts, reducing weight and complexity;
• More vertical float folding, eliminating the need for antifouling high on the float sides;
• Shaped float decks forming raised mounting areas for the wing nets, removing the need for fore-and-aft aluminium tubes;
• Higher-mounted folding struts with reduced frontal area and faired leading edges to minimise drag and spray;
• Slightly longer and more tapered beam ends, providing increased overall beam;
• Integral carbon-fibre moulded mounting points for beam struts, replacing bracket plates;
• Taller rotating rig;
• Synthetic rigging, lighter and now considered more reliable than wire;
• Carbon-fibre chainplates in floats and bow;
• Slightly more vertical main hull bow;
• A bow wing providing additional netting area and anchor storage;
• A fully retractable carbon bow pole;
• Transom-hung daggerboard-style kick-up rudder with composite case.

Changes to Fram compared to the original design

Forty years of offshore sailing experience inevitably lead to personal preferences. With a production boat, these usually result in compromises. When building a boat entirely from scratch, those compromises can largely be avoided—although this also presents a well-known pitfall for self-builders, as every modification costs time and must remain compatible with the original design.

All modifications were carried out with the approval of Ian Farrier.

• Interior
  • Removal of the anchor locker to increase foot space in the forward double berth;
  • Anchor chain locker moved further aft for improved weight distribution;
  • Larger forward double berth;
  • Additional space created for the starboard settee / sea berth;
  • Longer longitudinal galley to starboard;
  • Larger chart table to port;
  • Raised sole section beneath the chart table for technical installations;
  • Pilot berth / additional storage behind the chart table;
  • Increased storage space in the aft cabin.
• Exterior
  • Modified shape and layout of the cabin windows;
  • Additional flush-mounted deck hatches for light and ventilation;
  • Extended aft cabin and transom for improved deck access and rudder protection;
  • Modified stern shape incorporating an additional step in the scoop;
  • Transom windows replaced by a covered opening window for watertight ventilation;
  • Flange added to the main hull for wing net attachment;
  • Beams executed entirely in carbon fibre.
• Rig
  • Self-tacking, reefable boom furling jib;
  • Deck-stepped boom;
  • Purchase on all control lines.
• Electrical system based on a 24 V, 300 Ah LiFePO₄ battery bank;
• Bow and stern jet thrusters for improved manoeuvrability.

Ian Farrier may have been somewhat modest with the type designation. Some suggest that anything above 39 ft might have been considered intimidating for amateur builders. In reality, even the F-36 already exceeds its nominal length.

In fact, a 40 ft designation would be closer to reality. With my modifications, Fram measures 41 ft (12.5 m). Nevertheless, it remains an F-39—cheaper in the marina, and the F-41 designation already belongs to Ian Farrier’s catamaran design.