Fleet
Both of the Farr 52s have been deliberately modified so that they have identical IRC ratings; they weigh within 5kg of each other and carry close on the same sail area, a feature which has greatly fuelled the excitement and competitive nature of any races in which both boats have competed.
Farr 52’s were the chosen class for both major competitors Team Bear and GBR Challenge. Originally, Kit Hobday had the idea of setting up an amateur youth match race between the Royal Thames Yacht Club and the New York Yacht Club. It was decided that if this was to happen, the chosen class had to be an international yacht, and the Farr 60 was suggested.
The amateur youth match race didn’t happen, but it did bring the Farr class to Kit’s attention. It was shortly after this that Kit saw the Farr 52 advertised in a magazine, and knew immediately it was the yacht for his academy.
Bear of Britain is unique in the world of yachting, being the only yacht of her size and complexity to be sailed successfully by an amateur crew whose average age is 23.
Both of the Farr 52s have been deliberately modified so that they have identical IRC ratings