Farr Yacht Design in Baltimore: Design Firm and Brokerage for Production and Custom Sailboats

Farr Yacht Design is a naval architecture and yacht brokerage operation based in the Baltimore area that sells new production sailboats and handles brokerage of used vessels, primarily in the 30- to 60-foot range. The firm is known for designs that prioritize racing performance and offshore capability, appealing to experienced sailors rather than entry-level buyers. Unlike volume dealerships that carry multiple brands, Farr operates as a specialist: it represents specific builders and manages the sale and commissioning process for boats that require significant customization or come with technical complexity.

What Farr Yacht Design actually is

Farr Yacht Design functions as both a brokerage (selling used boats consigned by owners) and a dealer (placing new builds from selected builders). The company does not maintain a showroom lot of inventory boats; instead, clients view models at local moorings or access detailed specifications and survey reports. The operation is small and hands-on, which means communication is direct but also means availability can depend on owner schedule rather than fixed business hours.

New vs. used inventory and builder representation

The firm brokers used sailboats across a range of ages and conditions, with asking prices typically ranging from $80,000 for older 35-footers to $400,000 or more for newer cruising designs. New boat orders through Farr are custom or semi-custom builds, with lead times of 12 to 18 months depending on builder capacity and specification complexity. Pricing for new builds starts around $250,000 and can exceed $1 million for fully optioned offshore cruisers.

Farr does not carry mass-market production boats (no Catalina or Beneteau fleet models). Instead, it represents builders focused on performance and durability: hulls designed for blue-water cruising or racing, with construction standards and material specs that reflect higher cost. This positioning means fewer boats available for immediate purchase but also means buyers know what they are getting in terms of structural quality and design pedigree.

How Farr compares to other Baltimore-area boat dealers

Baltimore's marine retail landscape includes large dealerships such as those specializing in power boats and jet skis (primarily along the Patuxent and Severn rivers), which operate fixed showroom locations and carry volume brands with quick delivery timelines. Farr's model is opposite: it is a boutique specialist that caters to sailors already committed to sailboat ownership and willing to invest in process.

Other local brokerage operations tend to handle a broader mix of vessel types (power, sailboat, sport fishing) and price points, whereas Farr's focus on offshore and racing-capable sailboats means its customer base overlaps significantly with the Annapolis sailing community. Choose Farr if you are buying or selling a serious cruising or racing sailboat and want a broker with technical knowledge of hull design and offshore systems. Choose a general power-boat dealership if you want walk-in convenience and same-year delivery on a recreational model.

Services and the buying process

For used boats, Farr manages the full sale cycle: marketing, survey coordination, sea trial scheduling, and closing. Most listings are accompanied by recent haul-outs and surveys, which saves buyers from conducting those steps independently. Commission is typically 10 percent, split between buyer's and seller's brokers on most transactions.

For new boats, the firm acts as project manager. This includes builder liaison, progress monitoring, sea trial attendance, systems commissioning, and initial warranty support. Buyers should expect 3 to 5 site visits during construction and one or two trips for trials and handover. Commissioning and dealer support is included in the new-boat purchase; service after the first year depends on the builder's warranty terms.

A survey of a used boat runs $1,200 to $2,500 depending on length and complexity. Haul-outs for inspection cost $800 to $1,500. These are coordinated through the broker but billed separately by the surveyor and hauling facility.

Who suits Farr and who does not

Farr suits experienced sailors, racing-class boat owners, and buyers of blue-water cruising vessels who value design heritage and build quality over price competitiveness. It also suits sellers of used sailboats who want broker expertise in documentation, survey management, and marketing to a serious buyer pool.

Farr does not suit buyers looking for impulse purchases, entry-level day-sailors, or buyers who need delivery within months. It also does not suit power-boat buyers; the firm's focus is sailboat-only.

First visit and logistics

Contact the firm by phone or email to discuss vessel interest or sell inquiries. Unlike dealerships with fixed hours and walk-in traffic, Farr operates by appointment. Initial conversations often happen off-site; boat viewings are scheduled at mooring locations around the Baltimore harbor and up the Chesapeake, or surveyor reports are sent electronically.

The firm's office location and hours should be verified directly, as these may shift seasonally or with project load. Maryland marine dealer licensing and documentation requirements apply to all sales; the broker handles permit and title transfer as part of the process.

Farr's strength lies in matching knowledgeable buyers with vessels that match their sailing goals, rather than maximizing transaction speed or inventory turnover.