far east yachts australia

FAREAST 19R

This entry level keel boat makes sailing even more affordable, it's the ideal sail from home day sailor, easy to tow and set up with your favorite sailing grounds only a drive away. Sail with family and friends, race against friends, sail shorthanded or teach your kids the beauty of sailing.

FAREAST 23R

The modern design boosts a powerful square top main and large A-Sym kite. Handling is easy with the absence of a backstay and a cockpit larger than any other boat in it's class.

FAREAST 28R

FAREAST 28R - In Stock

Excitement guaranteed with this box ticking fun and fast to sail Simonis Voogd design. Over 650 Fareast 28R's sold Worldwide, with 15 in Aus and 2 in NZ there is always some to race against at our major regatta's. Join the excitement of fast and uncomplicated sailing today!

FAREAST 31R - Carbon

FAREAST 31R Carbon

Be the fastest 31 footer on the race course with this ultimate Grand Prix racer. Enjoy high speed downwind runs and beat the big boys. This high performance racing machine weighs only 1800kg of which 1200 is in the bulb! And that's not all....

Fareast 580 RIB

Fareast 580 RIB - Coaching and Race support

The 580 is the ultimate race support and coaching work horse. With a high, narrow bow and wide stern, this boat is fast, stabile and dry. This “military grade” coach boat can handle offshore conditions, tow like a champ and is still nimble enough to safely coach in a tight fleet. Supplied only in the best tube material available, ORCA 828 Hypalon.

More than 85% of Olympic champions started their training career with an Optimist. Optimists produced by Far East Boats rank the World top three in numbers and quality. Championship Optimists are manufactured in 5D CNC machined Aluminum molds which have set tolerances almost to zero. Choose the best to be the best!

Welcome to Fareast Yachts Australia & New Zealand

Fareast Yachts established in 2002 has 20 years experience and build over 19,000 boats so far. Fareast Yachts offer a full range of performance cruising and racing yachts.

The company has a state-of-the-art 20,000 square meter modern and clean facility. Vinylester vacuum infusion is used on all models to save weight and to ensure high build quality. Deck hardware and rigging is of well-known brands like Selden, Harken and Spinlock. Fareast Yachts offer modern designed, high quality performance Yachts that are very competitively priced, a hard to beat combination!

FAREAST YACHTS AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

We are the Sole distributor of Fareast Yachts in Aus & NZ and supply their full range of Yachts, Dinghies and RIB's. We guarantee high quality service and support, offer honest advice and are able to tailor packages to your needs and specifications.

Please contact us for more information and to find out what we can do for you.

March 1, 2024 - Currently in stock - Fareast 28R - 480 RIB - 580 RIB Read more »

Movie - FarEast 28R Downwind Fun. 15-20 Kn Boatspeed

September 15, 2023 - High speed downwind at Hamilton Island Race Week - CLICK on the picture to play Read more »

Fareast Yachts Australia

Our racing yachts

FAREAST 31R

The most affordable high performance 31 ft racing boat on the market. The FAREAST 31R is packed with ultra modern features and will give you the ultimate racing experience. Look at our 28R results and imagine what the 31R is capable off ! Click 'more information' for pricing.

Our catamaran

Fareast 36 cat.

The FAREAST 36 CAT is pure freedom.

Some modern features are the complete cut-a-way hulls in the cockpit area allowing for a substantial amount of extra cockpit space. The cutout sections in the hulls on the side allow for easy dock access when opened so that guests don’t need to take a large step up or down.

Fareast ... Cat

..... ???? Watch this space

Fareast 480 RIB

Fareast 480 RIB - The low cost solution - In Stock

A low cost professional training, coach and support boat. The Fareast 480 will also suit parents who like to support their young stars from close by. It's rated for enough power to tow and nimble enough to move around the fleet. Designed for maneuverability with a wave piercing narrow bow and deep V bottom for a stable and dry ride. Supplied only in the best tube material available, ORCA 828 Hypalon.

Fareast 680 RIB

Fareast 680 RIB - Professional Race Support

The 680 RIB is the ideal offshore race support and rescue RIB. This RIB is the largest and fastest in our range and comes with a high payload and 10 person capacity.

Used - Fareast 28R

2017 - Used Fareast 28R *SOLD*

Fun rides are awaiting you with this easy to sail fast, pure fun boat. Not often we see a used 28R so well fitted out, little used and ready to race.

Used Fareast 19R - Melb.

Used Fareast 19R * SOLD *

Racing and Family fun is awaiting you with this near new presenting Fareast 19R. It's the perfect sail from home daysailor, easy to set up and ramp launch. Summer is on its way! Race at your local club or take her to your favorite sailing grounds, grab the inflatable subs, anchor up near an island or beach and go for a paddle, swim and picnic.

Used Fareast 28R

Used Fareast 28R * SOLD *

Chicken Lips, winner of the Commodores Cup at Sail Port Stephens is a one of those rare finds on the second-hand market. Kept in a shed in rural Waga Waga and raced only a few regattas each year, meaning this boat is in a very good condition.

Used Fareast 23R

FAREAST 23R - IN EXCELLENT CONDITION * SOLD *

This Fareast 23R has mainly been used for family fun, it has seen little usage and had a real easy life. Sailed from home and stored inside a purposely build shed has kept the boat in pristine condition.

Used Fareast 19R

Fareast 19R * SOLD *

They don't come around often, delivered October last year and only used a few times. Reluctant sale but needs to be sold to clear Sydney driveway space.

SV-14 Sailability

SV-Sailability

A nonprofit initiative from our designers Simonis Voogd and Fareast Boats to make sailing accessible to everybody. Buy direct via the SV-14 organization: https://sv14.org/ We are happy to help arrange shipment and import.

FAR EAST YACHTS Australia

Based in Brisbane

gerrit @ fareast yachts.com.au (please remove spaces)

Mob. - 0468 648 554

28R TRIAL SAILS are available from:

Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne

19R & 23R TRIAL SAILS are available from:

Contact us directly or use the form below and we'll get back to you shortly.

ASA Training Base

• Enterprise introduction

Events Preview

Sailing Clubs in China

Worldwide Distributors

A bulletin of glad tidings! The Fareast 42C won the Gussies Electric Boat Award

Fareast 19r, fareast 23r, fareast 28r, questions you may have:, > what is sailing.

Sailing is a kind of water sport. Powered by wind on the sail, the boat is moving forward through the water. It is a green and healthy sport, and you can get closer to nature. Sailing is of much more fun. From it you can feel the real passion of sports.

> What makes Far East Boats different from other boat companies?

With strong research & development ability, and high professional quality, Far East stands out in comparison with the others. Our manufacture techniques are already up to the strict boat standard set by ISAF (International Sailing Federation). The keel boats we developed together with Simonis Voogd (a famous European boat design studio) are very popular both in China and abroad. Except international racing boats, recent years Far East also developed FAREAST 18/18R，FAREAST 26，FAREAST 31R. Especially FAREAST 28R, it was launched at 2014 China Cup International Regatta, and is very popular among all sailing clubs. It won many awards at boat shows of Sweden and U.S., has been the first choice of sailing lovers in China.

> I want to buy a boat. Could you recommend one?

If you want a keel boat, we recommend FAREAST 28R. Currently it is the most popular boat in China. It is developed by Far East Boats and Simonis Voogd, combining their years of experiences and technologies. It is a racing boat of light hull and high performance, perfect for sailing together with your family and friends. And the price is also very good.

> I don't know sailing at all. What is required if I want to learn sailing?

The most important is that you really love sailing. If you never tried sailing before, firstly you can take part in the experience activities in Shanghai Sailing Club. Then you can sign up for the professional sailing courses and be a sailor. Wish you can enjoy sailing and share the fun with your family and friends.

> What sailing courses do you have right now?

Now we have SYA (Shanghai Yachting Association), ASA (American Sailing Association), and SailLaser for teenagers. So far, already more than 2,000 people were trained at Shanghai Sailing Club.

> I want to go sailing. Any places to recommend?

Please click on the link: (Sailing Clubs in China)

SHANGHAI FAREAST CO., LTD.

Address: Room 606,Building 5，Xizi International Center, No.898 Xiuwen Road, Minhang District, 201199 Shanghai, P. R. China

Zip code: 201100

Tel: 021-6728 5977

Sales: 13816500608

Fax: 021-6728 5976

Website: www.fareastboats.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Aftersales Service

Tel: 021-6728 5977 ext. 886（China）6728 5979（Oversea）

E-mail: [email protected]

Talent Recruitment

If you have interest in Shanghai Far East Boats, please send your CV to:

[email protected]

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海尚帆友俱乐部：sschaishangfanyou

On October, the Women's International Match Racing Series will come to China for the first time! The 2019 China International Women’s Match Race will be held in Shanghai Dishui Lake on October 11th to 16th.The Notice of Race for the five-day event to be sailed Dishui Lake has now been published and the event organizers will be accepting requests for invitation from the top women match racers from around the world.

> learn more

> [December 17, 2023] FAREAST28R supports WMRT Shenzhen Finals strongly

> [November 2, 2023] A bulletin of glad tidings! The Fareast 42C won the Gussies Electric Boat Award

> [10th August 2023] Important News! Fareast Boats approved as new licensed ILCA builder

Far East Boats introduced the ASA training system to China in 2012, and has established 7 training schools across the country. Now Far East has nearly 10 certified instructors and provides training course and certification for 5 classes of keelboat.

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Fareast 28R sailboat review

Racing in the China Cup over the years has given me an insight into what’s happening in this vast land, and the event even allows us to sail along its south coast, something yachts rarely do. Here we catch glimpses of huge power stations, industrial complexes and the miles of dock cranes that handle Shenzhen’s trade.

Marine development is part of this industrialisation but recreational boating is the emerging force that could explode when a fraction of a percentage of Chinese realise they are middle class and can enjoy their vast seaboard.

FAR EAST BOATS

Far East Boats is situated to the northeast of Shanghai. Founded in 2002 the company was licensed by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to build Optimists for the Beijing Olympics. It is the world’s largest producer of these dinghies with an annual output of 1200 boats, some of which go to Australia (where the company is currently searching for a dealer). The range of Fareast boats has grown in number and size during the ensuing years so, apart from its dinghies and small catamarans, there are now the Fareast 26, 28R, 31R and the flagship Fareast 35.

The company’s first attempt at a one-design fleet was its 26 Cruiser which I skippered during a previous China Cup and found reasonable but lacking in several areas.

Moving forward, with the aid of global marketers the company has produced the European-designed Fareast 28R raceboat. It’s a yacht that can be used for competitive one-design racing yet is simple enough for sailing schools to train aspiring performance sailors or indeed for anyone to enjoy a blast on inshore waters with, so is a fairly good market proposition in my mind. It joins seasoned and proven competitors such as the J/109 and the elegant Sote 27 that are now showing signs of ageing.

“My brief was for the Fareast 28R sailboat was to create a modern high-speed racer that would be infusion-built and light enough to be trailerable,” designer Maarten Voogd told me. Looking over the 29-foot hull the reverse angle bow, à la Volvo 65, is a signature feature and means it very much looks the part of a modern racer, something that should encourage teenagers to take it for a spin.

The trailerable aspect is achieved by a lifting keel that allows the lead T-bulb to slide up to the hull – and during the three races that I used the boat for, there were no shudders or lack of rigidity felt from it. The other foil is the transom-mounted rudder, an exact replica of the one used on the 26, which was oversized for that boat but felt totally fine on the 28R.

Also on the transom is a 3.5hp outboard motor which didn’t disturb us when racing but will be removed to a fixing on the mast compression post in the cabin – to centre the weight and clear the transom.

Being a raceboat, the cockpit dominates the entire hull and does its job of housing a four or five-man racecrew well.

Rounded coamings along the gunwales and angled bulkheads at their base gives good ergonomics to the Fareast 28R’s cockpit. Other plusses include the wide mainsheet track which allows good control of the mainsail and the two-speed Harken primary winches that lie just ahead for the jib, with another winch on the cabin top for halyards

Other important control lines are for the retractable bowsprit and the backstay pulley system that tensions the tapered alloy Selden mast. Outboard wire shrouds on chainplates hold the rig up, plus twin backstays.

The first batch of these boats has been fitted with the company’s own Far East Dacron sails which may be changed for the final OD rules. Unusually the jib runs on a roller furler and creates quite a lot of windage and some performance limitations.

Elsewhere on the foredeck there’s a moulded toerail to keep the bowman aboard but the guardrails look a wee bit low and again this may change, I’m told. Kite hoists of the asymmetric go through the main hatch so no bow hatch is needed, which leaves the foredeck as unadorned GRP but with enough non-slip mouldings to give a grip, as I found when doing bow work during the race.

Cabins on this category of raceboat are not places to linger, unless you’re retrieving the spinnaker or unbolting the keel for retraction, so the 28R is no exception. But the space showed the extensive structure of the hull with bulkheads fore and aft plus a wide longitudinal stringer between. There were no rough edges found during my brief foray there, apart from a few exposed bolts that could snag the kite when hoisting. The deck/hull join is bolted and glued together and was built to conform to ISO standards.

RACING PERFORMANCE

The best way to sea trial a raceboat like the Fareast 28R is of course to race it, so a full-on day ensued among the highly competitive fleet contesting the China Cup that comprised many international teams – Europeans, Americans and Asians.

For the narrow windward/leeward races a good start was crucial as overtaking opportunities were limited by the similar boatspeed throughout the fleet, which proved to be closely matched. In the light to medium pressure, creating enough shape in the rather inflexible Dacron sails was a challenge everyone faced so I played the outhaul, cunningham and vang plenty to tweak the mainsail.

On the rail the rounded toerail proved comfortable for serious hiking – which was essential to balance the 1200kg hull. Moving across the deck when tacking went without dramas but for roll tacks, the aforementioned guardrails were a wee bit low. At the top mark I prepared the kite which lay ready in the cabin then did the hoist, again without dramas, not really needing the Harken winch to lock its masthead halyard.

With speeds touching 9kts on the run the 28R matched and surpassed some of the other two similar designs – J/109 and Soto 27 – on the courses throughout the day.  But of course we had our own race fleet to contend with which is the whole point of one-design racing.

On the helm the Fareast 28R felt like a large sportsboat with good acceleration – despite the T-keel bulb which can be an impediment – and the mainsheet arrangement was comfortable for me to manage while steering. Seating was also comfy on the rounded coamings, while the moulded chocks supported my feet well. The large rudder gave lots of power through the tack but had to be used sparingly if oversteering was to be avoided. Moving across the cockpit between tacks also was done without worry.

For gybing the modest sailplan and high boom (perhaps a little bit too high) kept the spar well clear of the crew. The only real blemish, which cost us several places throughout the three races, was the inadequate tack line jammer cleat which lost traction continually. Changing its horizontal sheeting angle would probably give it sufficient purchase but I’d also suggest improving the running rigging to better quality non-stretch Dyneema or similar.

• Simple but functional design

• Nimble performance and handling

• Ergonomic cockpit for racecrew or training sailors

• Tack line cleat angle wrong for  spinnaker

• Boom slightly too high

• Guardrails slightly low

FAREAST 28R SPECIFICATIONS

Priced from.

Fareast 28R price: $US38,000 ex-factory China

MATERIAL GRP

TYPE Keelboat

LENGTH 8.5m

DRAFT 1.73m

PEOPLE (DAY) 5+1

WEIGHT 1200kg

MAKE/MODEL Tohatsu MFS3.5 outboard motor

TYPE Single-cylinder four-stroke outboard

RATED HP 3.5

Upwind 44m²

Downwind 115m²

SUPPLIED BY

Shanghai Far East Boat Co

Room 209, Focus Business Centre,

2468 Gudai Road, Minhang District, Shanghai

Phone +86 21 6728 5977

Web fareastboats.com ; fareastyachts.com

See the full version of this review in Trade-A-Boat #460, December 2014 / January 2015. Why not subscribe today?

FAREAST 19R

This entry level keel boat makes sailing even more affordable. Race with friends, race against friends, sail shorthanded or teach your kids the beauty of sailing. Clubs and sailing schools can build an instant fleet with our 4 in 1 container super special.

FAREAST 28R

FAREAST 28R - Class Racing

Excitement guaranteed with this box ticking fun and fast to sail Simonis Voogd design. Fareast's best seller sold over 600 boats Worldwide and with 15 in Aus and 2 in NZ there is always somebody to race against at our major regatta's. Join the excitement of fast and uncomplicated sailing today!

FAREAST 31R - Carbon

FAREAST 31R Carbon

Be the fastest 31 footer on the race course with this ultimate Grand Prix racer. Enjoy high speed downwind runs, beat the big boys. This high performance racing machine weighs only 1800kg of which 1200 is in the bulb! And that's not all....

New to the Australian market is the VIKO S35. Designed by Italian studio SLYD di Sergio Lupoli and build to high standards at the Viko yard in Europe

Aeolos P30 - Doublehanded

NEW - Aeolos P30 - Full Carbon

This Carbon doublehanded rocket is incredibly well thought trough in every detail, build exceptionally stiff and super light. Enjoy fast Ocean racing and don't worry about the return trip, just drive her back home.

Optimist - Race and Championship

More than 85% of Olympic champions started their training career with an Optimist. Optimists produced by Far East Boats rank the World top three in numbers and quality. Championship Optimists are manufactured in 5D CNC machined Aluminum molds which have set tolerances almost to zero. Choose the best to be the best!

Welcome to G-Force Marine

G-Force Marine offers an extensive range of racing and high-performance cruising Yachts as well as Ribs.

We are the Australian and New Zealand sole distributor and sales representatives for:

-  AEOLOS Yachts

- NEO Yachts

-  FAREAST Yachts and Ribs

We represent exclusive all Carbon Italian Cruising Yachts build with racing technology, double handed Carbon ultra-modern high-performance Yachts, as well as affordable fast racing yachts. Each of them standing out in their own ways.

With many years of experience in the Marine industry and a Hi-Tech background we guarantee first class customer support.

Please contact us  to further explore our yachts, we are here to assist.

Fareast 28R - Nationals 2-3 March

January 12, 2024 - The Fareast 28R class is growing and our active class community is delighted to announce Nationals to be sailed at the Sydney Harbour Regatta. 8 boats registered already and we have a brand new 28R on the way. Join in for some great One Design racing and banter after racing. Read more »

Aeolos P30 - Coming to Australia

January 12, 2024 - The first Australian Aeolos P30 has been sold and will be coming to Australia before the next summer season. The AP-30 is a very innovative, super light, full carbon yacht. Designed for single and double handed Ocean racing but can also be raced fully crewed around the cans. Read more »

G-Force Marine Australia

Racing Yachts

FAREAST 23R

The modern design boosts a powerful square top main and large A-Sym kite. Handling is easy with the absence of a backstay and a cockpit larger than any other boat in it's class.

FAREAST 31R

The most affordable high performance 31 ft racing boat on the market. The FAREAST 31R is packed with ultra modern features and will give you the ultimate racing experience. Look at our 28R results and imagine what the 31R is capable off ! -- click 'more information' for pricing

Performance Cruisers

... Discontinued

Fareast 480 - The low cost solution - in stock

A versatile low cost solution that suits a wide range of purposes and watersports. Designed for maneuverability with a high wave piercing narrow bow and deep V bottom, this provides a much smoother and dryer ride than any other RIB in it's size and makes the 480 very suitable for offshore conditions. Supplied only in the best tube material available, ORCA 828 Hypalon.

Fareast 580 - Sail Coaching and Race support

The 580 is the ultimate sail race support and coaching work horse. With a high, narrow bow and wide stern, this boat is fast, stabile and dry. This “military grade” coach boat can handle offshore conditions, tow like a champ and is still nimble enough to safely coach in a tight fleet. Supplied only in the best tube material available, ORCA 828 Hypalon.

Used Fareast 19R

Used Fareast 19R * SOLD *

Racing and Family fun is awaiting you with this near new presenting Fareast 19R. It's the perfect sail from home daysailor, easy to set up and ramp launch. Summer is on its way! Race at your local club or take her to your favorite sailing grounds, grab the inflatable subs, anchor up near an island or beach and go for a paddle, swim and picnic.

Used Fareast 28R

Used Fareast 28R * SOLD *

Chicken Lips, winner of the Commodores Cup at Sail Port Stephens is a one of those rare finds on the second-hand market. Kept in a shed in rural Waga Waga and raced only a few regattas each year, meaning this boat is in a very good condition.

Used Fareast 28R (2017)

Fun rides are awaiting you with this easy to sail fast, pure fun boat. Not often we see a used 28R so well fitted out, only 4 years old, little used and ready to race.

Used Fareast 23R

Used Fareast 23R - In excellent condition * SOLD *

Rare opportunity! This Fareast 23R has mainly been used for family fun, it has seen little usage and had a real easy life. Sailed from home and stored inside a purposely build shed has kept the boat in pristine condition.

Used Fareast 19R (2)

They don't come around often, delivered October last year and only used a few times. Reluctant sale but needs to be sold to clear Sydney driveway space.

G-Force Marine

Based in Brisbane

info @ gforcemarine.com.au  (please remove spaces)

Mob. - 0468 648 554

Contact us directly or use the form below and we'll get back to you shortly.

• ABOUT FAREAST 28R
• Fareast Yachts Dealers
• European Championship 2023

G-FORCE MARINE

19 Tarrant drive Mudgeeraba QLD 413 Gold Coast Australia

Mobile: +61 (0)468 648 554 Email:   [email protected] Web:  www.fareastyachts.com.au Facebook: Far East Yachts Australia Contact: Gerrit Veenemans

AURORA BOATS

73 Conference Knowlton Qc J0E1Vo CANADA

Phone：+1 250 383 8410 Email: [email protected] Web: http://fareastboats.ca Contact: Martin Robitaille

WINDMADE SPA.4

Callao 3.142 Apt. 1102, Las Condes Santiago Chile

Phone: +562 7102730 Phone: +569 68443347 Web: www.windmade.cl Email: [email protected] Contact: Juan E. Reid

INSAILING FE LTD

72, Al Nokhtha Street Jumeirah 3 PO Box 191510 Dubai

Phone: 00971 50 456 0979 Email: [email protected] Contact: Melanie Simmonds

KAMARET YACHT SERVICE SARL

Diamond yachts gmbh, holland / the netherlands, hi-tide yachting north & south, fareast boats italia, truck & trailer equipment ltd.

Candos Road Quatre Bornes Mauritius

Phone: + 230 4271825 Mobile: +230 2522556 Fax: +230 427 3128 Email: [email protected] Contact : Maurice Bonieux

FREDRIKSTAD MARINA

Gunnelandet 6 1621 Gressvik

Phone: +47 90674616 Email: [email protected] Contact: Eivind Rubinstein

CLEANPORT D.O.O

Tomaziceva 4a 6310 Izola Slovenia

Phone：+386 (0)5 6405201 Fax：+386 (0)5 6405202 Web: www.cleanport.si Email: c [email protected] Contact: Jure Orel

NORDIC YACHTS AB

Bullandö Marina 139 56 Värmdö

Phone: + 46 (0)8 – 570 22550 Web: www.nordicyachts.se Email: [email protected] Contact: Mats Runström

SWITZERLAND

Bucher+schmid.

Alpenquai 13 CH-6005 Luzern

Phone: 041 360 22 67 Web: www.bucher-schmid.ch Email: [email protected] Contact: Roger Schmid

UK & IRELAND

Activate switch limited.

56 Mill Hill Road Cowes Isle of Wight PO31 7EQ United Kingdom

Phone：+44 (0) 1983 200 901 Mobile: +44 (0) 7774 138 777 Email: [email protected] Web: www.activateswitch.com

STURGIS BOAT WORKS

80 Mid Tech Dr. West Yarmouth, MA 02673

Phone: 508-778-9187 Fax: 508-778-9332 Web: www.SturgisBoatWorks.com Email: [email protected] Contact: Matt Wake

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The Far East 23R. Photo Roger McMillan.

Far East 23R: A sporty club racer

I was impressed with the Far East 28R when we tested it for the 2015 December/January issue of this magazine, so I had high hopes for her little sister, the new 23R. I was not disappointed.

Far East Yachts aim their small monohulls at the club racer market. They are well-built, fun to sail, economical to buy, perform well on handicap against bigger boats and inevitably will have a decent-sized one-design fleet operating in most countries.

At time of writing, more than 200 of the 28Rs have been delivered around the world and already there are seven in Australia. On the market for less than a year, that’s a very promising sign for one-design fans.

So far 85 of the 23Rs have been built, with most sold in China but with fleets also starting to emerge in Europe and North America.

The 23R is basically a cut-down version of the 28R, with the same modern hull shape, reverse bow, wide transom and simple but effective control line layout.

The hull is built using a polyester/foam-core sandwich which is vacuum infused, producing a light and rigid boat. The one-piece structural inner frame forms a stiff spine that distributes the keel, mast and rigging forces.

Although obviously mass-produced in China, I have always been impressed with the quality of the Far East boats and a close inspection of hull to deck joins, for example, reassures even the most sceptical of buyers.

WELL APPOINTED

The aluminium boom and rod kicker are from Selden, the two sheet winches are from Harken and the jammers are from Spinlock. The carbon main and jib are made from Contender sailcloth by Red Rum Sails in China, which is owned by Far East.

The square-topped main and non-overlapping jib deliver a total sail area of 32.7m2. There is one reefing point in the main which would reduce the sail area considerably but it is unlikely to be used except when cruising. The rig is well-balanced and can be carried easily in the 25 knot wind range that is likely to be the maximum these yachts would be sailed in during twilights or race weeks.

There are no running backstays to worry about during a gybe, with the mainsheet acting as the backstay.

SPEED TO BURN

We had ideal conditions for the test on Moreton Bay with the wind starting at 10 knots but building closer to 18 by the time we returned to the marina.

Going upwind the boat was very light on the tiller and speeds of around 7 knots were easily attainable. But the real fun started when we turned downwind and launched the 54m2 asymmetrical spinnaker off the retractable prodder.

As the kite filled, the bows lifted and the boat picked up speed instantly. We were immediately doing more than 14 knots and although the steering was sensitive, she was easy to keep on the plane. Reports suggest that in the right conditions, downwind speeds of close to 20 knots are possible.

The downwind run highlighted the only two changes we could suggest to Australian agent Gerrit Veenemans and they were minor ones.

Currently the boom vang control line is sheeted on the kicker, meaning a crew member has to go down to leeward to adjust it. It is needed to give the helmsman more control when planing and would be better if lines were led to both sides of the cockpit. The crew weight needs to be in the stern to get maximum downwind performance and it would be handy to be able to release the vang without moving.

The spinnaker halyard is cleated to the mast, again requiring a crew member to go forward when dropping the kite into the bag, which is placed in the companionway. Again, controls further aft would be advantageous.

These are very minor tweaks, however, and hopefully will be allowed when the one-design rules are written for the class.

TRAILERABLE

Although more a small keelboat than a true sportsboat, the 23R will certainly hold its own against other trailerables of a similar size. It delivers the same high-speed downwind fun as a sportsboat, but is perhaps a bit drier.

The total weight of the boat is just 800kgs and 44% (or 352kgs) is in the keel, which is a bulb on a carbon fin that gives a draft of 1.4m when fully extended. Although she likes to lean over when going upwind, the stability is good and total wetted surface doesn’t change much.

Total towing weight on a purpose-built trailer will be around 1200kg, with the keel raised into the boat via a single lifting point.

TARGET MARKET

Like the 28R, this is a boat that will appeal to the club racer. Easy to sail and well-rated, the Far East yachts are ideal for people who have been crewing on other boats but want to control their own destiny without spending a fortune. It will also appeal to owners of older designs such as the J24 who want to upgrade to a more modern and higher-performance craft.

The list price for the standard 23R is $52,500 and she can be raced with three or four people on board – no need to spend the whole day on the phone trying to secure six or seven big burly blokes for your next race week or the club’s twilights.

Interest has also been shown by several clubs that are looking for a couple of economical small keelboats for corporate match racing or adult learn-to-sail programs.

In the coming years I expect to see plenty of 23Rs and 28Rs at race weeks like the Sydney Harbour Regatta or Festival of Sails and, being trailerable, they will also make appearances at Airlie Beach Race Week and other events that caters for off-the-ramp classes.

There are also specialist events such as the annual trailer boat nationals, the Port Phillip Trailerable Series and the Bay to Bay in Queensland where these boats would be very competitive.

Gerrit Veenemans has two 23Rs in the country so a test sail is easily arranged on Moreton Bay. Far East also organise one-design regattas and the first one for the 23R had 28 entries, mainly from China.

For more information on the 23R or to organise a test sail, contact Gerrit Veenemans by phone on 0468 648 554 or check out the website at www.fareastyachts.com.au .

– Roger McMillan

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Cruising Australia: Everything you need to know about sailing Down Under

• July 7, 2020

From stunning coastal routes to unmissable sailing events, Janneke Kuysters shares her top tips for cruising Australia

Anna Caroline moored with iconic Sydney landmarks in the background

“It doesn’t matter where you choose, you can’t go wrong in Australia. There are so many wonderful cruising grounds,” says Hank Rosendal, a Dutch-Australian sailor. His Amel 53 Tempest is currently moored in Albany, West-Australia. And he’s right: you could sail a lifetime around Australian shores and still not see everything.

So for a foreign cruiser there is a difficult choice: how much time do you want to spend in Australia and what can you do and see? Classically, on a trip around the world , cruisers sail from the islands of the South Pacific to New Zealand for the cyclone season: a tough crossing but with the rich rewards of New Zealand hospitality and boat maintenance facilities.

From New Zealand many go back north to Vanuatu or New Caledonia and then on to the Indian Ocean. For those a short pitstop in Australia in either Cairns, Thursday Island or Darwin is logical. Visits to the Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef will add the wonderful experience of tropical Australia.

Australia is a vast country: don’t underestimate the distances you’ll sail. From Bundaberg to Sydney is a little under 500 miles; add 628 miles for the trip from Sydney to Hobart. If you go from Hobart to Perth across the Bight, you’ll be adding another 2,250 miles.

East coast cruising

But in the past decade more and more cruisers have viewed Australia as a destination in itself. And that opens up a whole new perspective. The tough 1,000-plus miles crossing from the Pacific Islands to New Zealand is no longer necessary – a downwind cruise of around 700 miles from New Caledonia to the east coast of Australia is much more comfortable.

The boat can be safely left in Australia while you fly home, or you can keep sailing. The most important thing to consider is to stay below 30°S; the official cyclone belt lies to the north of this latitude. Instead of having to wait for the cyclones to pass, cruisers can sail on and explore Australian waters.

There are myriad choices to make depending on the distances you are willing to cover. Two popular options are to make landfall near Brisbane in Queensland and sail south to Sydney and back, or to continue sailing to Tasmania .

Article continues below…

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South African cruiser Brent Grimbeek has chosen this second option: “I love the diversity that the Australian east coast has to offer. Most of the distances between ports are short, so we daysailed our Lagoon 44 Impi from port to port. Crossing Bass Strait is always a challenge, but the effort is richly rewarded by the stunning nature and landscapes of Tasmania.”

His wife Ana adds: “There is the annual Go West rally between New Caledonia and Australia. Although we have made this crossing a few times now, we enjoy participating in the rally: it makes entry into Australia easier and it is fun to meet like-minded people.”

British solo sailor Thom D’Arcy sailed his Vancouver 28 Fathom along the east coast from Bundaberg to Sydney and back up north, all the way to Darwin. “I’m very pleased I took Fathom to Sydney. The sense of achievement on entering such an iconic port is fantastic.”

Thom D’Arcy sailed his Vancouver 28 Fathom along Australia’s east coast

For those with a taste for speed and endurance, sailing south along the east coast of Australia can be ‘spiced up’ by entering the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race . Paul Billingham, Commodore of the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia explains: “We encourage foreign yachts to participate in ‘the Hobart’ as part of their trip around the world and extend all the necessary help and support to make it happen for them.”

There is also a lesser used track to cruise around the south of Australia and up the west coast. After studying the weather patterns closely, we saw that the tough westward crossing of the Great Australian Bight is feasible in the summer months of February and March.

A succession of high-pressure systems chases the prevailing south-westerly winds away and makes for periods of four to seven days of nice easterly winds. A cruise ‘along the bottom’ of Australia not only gives the opportunity to visit Tasmania’s lesser known cruising areas on the wild west coast, but also puts cities such as Adelaide within reach.

The start of the Sydney Hobart Race means a congested Sydney Harbour. Photo: Rolex / Carlo Borlenghi

Bruce Roach, Commodore of the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, says they welcome visiting cruisers. “The south coast of Australia is a very rewarding cruising ground, from Adelaide to the natural beauty of the Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf with its many anchorages,” he adds.

During our cruise around the south of Australia we experienced this warm hospitality first-hand: the generosity of the Australians to visiting yachts is one of the rewards of sailing off the beaten track in such a vast country. Once across the Bight, Western Australia offers a whole new cruising experience. Long reefs stretch along the coast, so careful navigation is needed.

Cities like Perth and Fremantle offer all possible facilities to visiting yachts, and from the west coast of Australia there are two options: start crossing the Indian Ocean as early as possible after the cyclone season or sail north to Indonesia.

The Royal Prince Albert Yacht Club in Pittwater

Coastal sailing

In Australian sailing vocabulary, ‘cruising’ doesn’t mean bluewater cruising, but is mainly coastal daysailing from port to anchorage. Coastal sailing in Australia therefore comes with lots of interesting options, often seen as luxuries by foreign cruisers, such as streaming internet up to 25 miles offshore and ample provisioning (around every corner there is a supermarket and an ATM).

We joked how cruising the east coast is ‘sailing with a watch in your hand’, as a lot of the entrances are river mouths with sandbars across them, requiring careful calculation to cross the bar at the turn of the tide. The navigational challenges can be roughly summarised in three words: current, depressions and sea breeze.

First the current. Along the east coast of Australia there is a southbound current of up to four knots which makes for fast sailing to the south, but rather tedious work when sailing up north, unless you use the countercurrent close inshore. Along the south coast the Leeuwin current flows east at a rate of 0.5 knots. On the west coast the Leeuwin current is stronger and flows south at a rate of about one knot.

Cruising in Pittwater and Broken Bay, north of Sydney

The second challenge is the depressions. They flow in a steady succession from west to east, bringing troughs and fronts. The quality of the available forecasts is high, so you can make good use of the wind the depressions generate to propel you in the right direction. Going against the prevailing winds makes for tough conditions though, because in the shallow coastal areas steep wind-waves build up very quickly.

Australia’s hot interior generates sea breezes. Again, if you study them and use them to your advantage, it can make for some fine passages. But you need to be careful. Sea breezes can easily last for 12 hours and reach over 25 knots on top of the prevailing winds.

Timing and distances

The cruising season in southern Australia is at its best in January, February and March. That means that you can sail to Australia from, for instance, New Caledonia in September. This gives you the time to cruise at leisure down the coast and make some trips overland too. We went to Ayers Rock/Uluru.

You can spend the summer in Tasmania and sail back up in March, to be in time for the end of the cyclone season by the time you reach Queensland again. If you decide to go along the Bight, you need to leave Tasmania at the end of January to time your crossing of the Bight in February or March.

Cruising Australian shores has been very rewarding for us: the wildlife, nature, diversity and hospitality left us in awe.

Entry in Australia

Australia has the reputation of being a tough country to enter. In reality, if you prepare yourself and your boat, there is no need to worry. The process is fairly straightforward and all necessary information is easy to find on the government websites.

Before arriving in Australia, every crew member needs to have a visa. There are two types. The e-visitor visa which is valid for three months. It is free of charge and can be extended. The other type is valid for one year (multiple entry) and costs AU$140. Both can be applied for online.

When you have been in certain countries in the Pacific for more than three months, you will need to have a chest X-ray before you arrive in Australia. Check the online forms carefully for the conditions.

For your boat there are two important steps. First, the cruising permit. This is issued on arrival and is valid for one year, with the option of extending it to three years. With this cruising permit as proof of being a ‘yacht in transit’, buying parts for the boat or having repairs done is exempt from sales tax (GST in Australia).

The second step is the biosecurity inspection. Fresh fruit, meat, dairy and eggs are not allowed. Importantly, the boat also needs to be without any pest infestation, such as fruit flies, termites, or growth on the hull. Australian agri- and aquaculture is strictly protected and the inspections are thorough.

At AU$60 per 15 minutes increments, it pays to prepare the boat in the port of departure, cleaning and making all surfaces accessible makes for a quick inspection. On average, the cost is AU$300 for the inspection.

Where to enter? There are roughly three options, depending on your cruising plans. If you want to do ‘Australia light’, the port of Bundaberg is the best. It is just below latitude 30°S, so you can wait for the cyclone season to pass north of you before you head to Cairns or further north.

If you want to cruise the east coast, ports further south such as Brisbane, Southport or even Coffs Harbour are attractive. If your focus is on Tasmania, you could even choose to enter in Sydney.

About the authors

Dutch couple Wietze van der Laan and Janneke Kuysters are sailing around the world in their Bruce Roberts 44 Anna Caroline . They love high latitude cruising and exploring areas which are slightly off the beaten track.

First published in the August 2019 edition of Yachting World.

New product launch from Fareast Boats: here is the S/V 14

In 2015, Alex Simonis from Simonis Voogd Yacht Design, was approached by Peter Jacops of Disabled Sailing Thailand, to design a safe, modern, sporty and most of all affordable boat for the para-sailing community. As a pro-bono project, the design was made available for free to “do-it-yourself” builders, and several boats have been built to date around the world.

During the summer of 2018, Alex Simonis and Ms. Demolar DU , CEO of Fareast Boats, came together to discuss series production of the S/V14. As Fareast is a company devoted to sailing, it liked the idea behind the S/V14 project and committed itself to produce the first 1000 boats at a subsidized price for those sailors with a disability. The Standard model will only cost 3000 USD !

This price is merely symbolic representing the cost of material kit of the S/V14.

There are 6 different versions of the S/V 14, to allow the boat to be used over the widest possible range of requirements for adaptive sailing, allowing even those with a more severe level of disability to compete in the class by making use of the electric actuator controlled tilting seats.

As with all models from Fareast Boats, the S/V 14, comes with a vacuum infused hull with a sandwich shell. The rudders and lifting keel fin are made in carbon, and the cast iron bulb is encapsulated in glass.

Fareast Boats is one of the fastest growing companies in China within the dinghy and leisure yacht market. Founded

in 2002, Fareast Yachts has been expanding rapidly and is now the biggest Optimist producer in the world with

nearly 1000 boats a year, and 250 keel boats all designed by Simonis & Voogd Yacht Design.

In 2015, the FAREAST 28R was the first keel boat brand from Asia to become an World Sailing OneDesign class.

Untill today, over 400 boats are built.

LENGTH OVERALL 4,39mt

LENGTH W.L 4,36mt

BEAM 1,59mt

DRAFT 1,20mt

DISPLACEMENT 650kg

Ballast (T-keel) 130kg

SAIL AREA total Upwind 9m2

SAIL AREA total Downwind 16m2 I 3,68 mt

Design: Simonis & Voogd Yacht Design

Base Price “Standard Model”: 3.000 USD excl VAT Including 2 fixed seats, Main sail + Jib in ZZ Polyester.

Who is selling S/V 14 in Australia ?

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Far east boats launches epropulsion-powered electric catamaran.

Far East Boats, one of the biggest sailboat builders in China, and ePropulsion , a global leader and market challenger in marine electric propulsion systems and services, announced today the launch of a brand-new electric catamaran, the 42 foot FAREAST 42C. The boat was unveiled at this year’s China (Shanghai) International Boat Show.

The first all-electric catamaran developed by Far East Boats and the first mass-produced catamaran powered by ePropulsion’s integrated propulsion system solution, the FAREAST 42C combines speed with comfort to provide an excellent sailing capability. The catamaran was designed by Simonis Voogd Design, an internationally renowned boat design firm, and features a spacious living area. It adopts a streamlined design and uses extra-long built-in plexiglass portholes to allow passengers to enjoy a 360° unobstructed view in the “living room” and greater natural light in the cabin. The deck layout can be selected from a sport version or a charter version.

Equipped with ePropulsion’s battery, electric propulsion, control and management systems solution, the catamaran boasts the advantages of all electric motors – quiet performance, zero-emissions and efficient propulsion. The catamaran measures 42-feet and is powered by a pair of ePropulsion 20 kW electric motors. The battery system uses lithium iron phosphate batteries, and up to four batteries can be connected, with a total capacity of 188.41 kWh. The maximum battery life can reach 20 hours, with a range of up to 100 nautical miles in pure electric propulsion mode. All batteries are equipped with an ePropulsion Battery Management System that can monitor the voltage and temperatures of individual batteries in real-time, as well as provide an automatic equalization function.

Integrating wind, solar and battery energy, the catamaran functions entirely on green and zero-emission propulsion. In hydrogeneration mode, the vessel’s range can be greatly extended with power from motor regeneration fed back into the batteries while sailing. While pure electric propulsion mode is activated, the speed can achieve eight knots and can be adjustable according to different battery levels. In certain wind conditions, electric propulsion works with sail propulsion to achieve a maximum speed of more than 10 knots. The FAREAST 42C comes equipped with a 20kW onboard battery charger and a portable 3kW battery charger to recharge the batteries. Its solar system provides complementary power to replenish the catamaran’s batteries.

The FAREAST 42C features an excellent human-machine interaction system (HMI) with a Smart Throttle and a 5-inch Smart Display that provides timely and precise control and information display. In addition, it enables boat owners and fleet managers to communicate with the system reliably and securely through ePropulsion’s cloud-based connectivity services. Boat owners can check everything from the location of the boat to battery level, speed and charging status, automatically generate sailing logs, and authorize guests to power on for easy boat sharing and remote monitoring.

“All-electric propulsion is the way of the future,” said Demolar Du, CEO of Far East Boats. “ePropulsion has long been the leader in reliable and efficient electric solutions, so when the time came to put this product together, they were the obvious choice as a partner. We believe sailors and eco-conscious boaters will get the absolute most out of our new catamaran.”

“This catamaran serves not only as a wonderful vessel for sailing enthusiasts, but also as a significant milestone of our integrated system solution,” said Danny Tao, Co-founder and CEO of ePropulsion. “We have always prided ourselves on providing cutting-edge quiet, clean, environmentally conscious propulsion, and this project furthers all of these goals. We look forward to collaborating on more projects like this in the immediate future.”

For more information on Far East Boats or ePropulsion, please visit www.fareastboats.com/home or www.ePropulsion.com .

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