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Far Harbour 39

Andrew Burton reviews the Far Harbour 39 for the 2007 Cruising World Sailboat Show

The Far Harbour 39 has to be among the more unusual boats off the board of naval architect Robert H. Perry. Part and parcel of its mission is to fit inside a 40-foot shipping container for easy and economical travels to faraway cruising grounds. Both boat and mast are just under 40 feet long. The removable keel and rudder fit alongside the hull in the container.

The boat is necessarily skinny: The beam measures just 7 feet 4 inches, and height is restricted, too. Yet this boat, for all its quirky looks and design requirements, performs well under sail and power, and it’s surprisingly comfortable inside for a cruising couple, although with guests, things will get tight.

Thanks to the almost plumb stem, there’s plenty of room for two in the V-berth. An acceptable head comes out to the centerline on the port side, opposite starboard stowage. In the saloon, comfortable settees are either side of a fold-up table; hull ports on both sides and a pair of hatches shed much light. The galley, with granite countertops, is efficient and attractive.

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Aft in the pilothouse is a steering station with a chart desk and engine controls and instruments. Opposite is a large hanging locker.

From the cockpit, going forward over the tall coamings is awkward, but along with the house, they protect the cockpit well. Huge seat lockers provide storage and engine access, also available behind the companionway steps.

The tiller required only two fingers to keep the boat in perfect control during my test sail, and I had the jib and mainsheet winches right in front of me as I toured the bay.

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Far Harbour 39 Specs

LOA: 38′ 11″
LWL: 37′ 11″
Beam: 7′ 5″
Draft: 5′ 6″
Sail Area: 535 sq. ft.
Displacement: 12,500 lb.
Water: 75 gal.
Fuel: 75 gal.
Engine: 40-hp. Yanmar
Designer: Robert H. Perry
Price: $225,000
Container Yachts LLC, (401) 851-7925, www.containeryachts.com

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