The North Star 727 Farr is well-powered with enough sail area to move in light air, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 19.6′, the North Star 727 Farr tops out around 5.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √19.6′ LWL = 5.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
19.9
Powerful cruiser/racer — quick in light air, reef early when it pipes up.
Comfort Ratio
11.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.40
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
583lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
11.9
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.40
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the North Star 727 Farr sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Moore 24
158s/nm
Farr 727
201s/nm
Shark 24
236s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.5 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
4.9 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.9 kts),
SA/D (19.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the North Star 727 Farr — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–6 kts
6–18 kts
18–26 kts
26+ kts
Ghosting
0–6 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
6–18 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
18–26 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
26+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the North Star 727 Farr.
|
North Star 727 Farr |
Cal 2 24 |
Farr 727 |
J24 |
Moore 24 |
Shark 24 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
23.8 |
24.0 |
23.8 |
24.0 |
23.8 |
24.0 |
| LWL |
19.6 |
19.2 |
19.6 |
20.0 |
21.8 |
20.0 |
| Beam |
8.3 |
7.8 |
8.3 |
8.9 |
7.2 |
6.8 |
| Displacement |
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Ballast |
900 |
1 |
1 |
950 |
1 |
675 |
| Sail Area |
240 |
271 |
235 |
262 |
247 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
201 |
— |
158 |
236 |
| SA/Disp |
19.9 |
18.2 |
19.5 |
19.8 |
24.6 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
— |
37.8 |
40.2 |
— |
48.8 |
30.7 |
| Comfort |
11.9 |
18.1 |
11.8 |
12.3 |
10.3 |
— |
| Capsize |
2.40 |
2.01 |
2.40 |
2.44 |
2.26 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
5.9 |
5.9 |
5.9 |
6.0 |
6.3 |
— |