23/03/2026
Sababa: The Thoroughbred That Grew a Soul
52’ Bruce Farr IMS50 | The "Grand-Touring" Weapon
Most yachts make you choose: the grueling, spartan life of a racer, or the heavy, sluggish comfort of a cruiser. Sababa is the rare, uncompromising exception. One of only two ultra-light Kevlar examples ever built, this is the legendary ex-Morning Mist—a boat with a showroom full of silverware and a pedigree that commands respect in every harbor. But she isn't just a relic of the race circuit. Following an extensive, professional refit, her stride has been lengthened, transforming her into a sophisticated, high-speed mile chewer.
Performance Without the Punishment:
On Sababa, 200nm days are the baseline; 300nm days are your new reality. She doesn't just sail; she dominates the horizon.
The Transformation: The twin-helm modification is a total game-changer, turning a once-stiff cockpit into a flowing, ergonomic command center and a world-class entertainment space for 20 guests.
The Interior: Step below and the "warhorse" disappears. You are met with deep, supple leather couches that rival the fit and finish of a modern Swan.
The Capability: With 10 berths and an electronics package engineered for total offshore self-reliance, she is as ready for a Transat as she is for a Wednesday night line honors.
Why You Can’t Walk Away:
Think of her as a "civilized TP52" or a circumnavigator with a mean streak. Whether you are a serious race team looking for an affordable edge or a family with global horizons, Sababa offers a level of versatility that simply does not exist elsewhere on the market.
Versatility. Speed. Safety. Turn-key.
Opportunities to own a vessel of this caliber—with this much history and this much future—don't wait for "someday." The question isn't whether the boat is ready.
The question is: Can you handle her?
The Farr Design #291 (better known as Morning Mist III) is a legendary hull in the history of the IMS (International Measurement System) era. It was commissioned by Melbourne yachtsman Alf Neate with a singular goal: to create the ultimate IMS handicap winner for the Sydney to Hobart.
Below is the "scrapbook" of her history, compiled from archival racing records and maritime logs.
Technical Pedigree: The World's First Design Number: Farr 291.
Significance: She was the world’s first Farr 50 IMS design ever built.
Construction: Built in 1992 by Mal Hart in Victoria, Australia. The hull was a high-tech composite of Kevlar, Carbon, and Nomex, designed to be an "ultra-light" racehorse (displacing only ~8.9 tonnes in her original racing trim).
Evolution: While many IMS 50s were spartan, this vessel was always intended to be a "grand prix" boat with enough substance to handle the Southern Ocean.
The Racing Triumphs (The Silverware Years)
1992 Sydney Hobart (The Debut): Morning Mist III had a spectacular start. She finished 7th on Line Honours (beating many larger boats), 2nd Overall on IMS, and 1st in IMS Division A.
1993 Sydney Hobart: She was a key contender in one of the toughest fleets of the decade, continuing to collect divisional trophies in the Kodak Gold Cup series.
1994 Kenwood Cup (Hawaii): Represented Australia as part of the national team. This was the pinnacle of international IMS racing at the time.
1995 Sydney Hobart: Another strong performance, finishing 6th on Line Honours in a fleet dominated by the emerging "Maxi" class.
Regional Dominance: Throughout the mid-90s, she was the boat to beat in the Hamilton Island Race Week and the Sydney-Gold Coast races. She famously won the Performance Handicap Division at Hamilton Island before a mishap (see below).
The "Bombie" Incident:
Early in her career, while on passage from Hayman Island (after a successful racing stint), she hit a "bombie" (submerged reef) at 8.5 knots. The impact caused significant damage to the hull structure around the keel. However, being a Kevlar "warhorse," she was professionally rebuilt to be even stronger than her original spec—a testament to the durability that has allowed her to survive 30+ years of offshore work.
Owner History & Name Timeline:
1992 – 1997: Alf Neate (Mornington Yacht Club). The "Golden Era" where she was campaigned as Morning Mist III.
1998: The Italian Charter (Seac Banche). For the famously brutal 1998 Sydney Hobart, she was chartered by an Italian team led by Adan Ricci. Renamed Seac Banche, she was one of the few boats to successfully navigate the storm, placing 3rd in the PHS Division.
Late 1990s – Early 2000s: Julie Hodder, Peter Sorensen, & Stan Zemanek. A period of high-profile Sydney campaigning. She raced under several sponsored names including Titan Ford and Foxtel. Stan Zemanek (a famous Australian media personality) was a passionate co-owner during this time.
Mid-2000s – 2020s: The Transformation. She eventually transitioned from a pure racer to a high-speed cruiser. This is when the significant modifications occurred:
The Weight: From ~8.9t to ~12t (adding "soul" and comfort).
The Layout: The twin helm modification and the Swan-style leather interior.
Present: Sababa. Continuing the legacy as a "mile-chewer" from NZ to Brazil to the UK.
Topical Notes:
The 1998 Survivor: Very few 50ft race boats from the 90s are still in structural condition to cross oceans today. The fact that she survived the 1998 Hobart—and the "bombie" impact—proves her hull is over-engineered for safety.
A "Cheap TP52" Comparison: In the 90s, the IMS 50 was the equivalent of today's TP52, but built with more volume and "meat" on the bones. You are buying a boat with the DNA of a world-champion racer but the displacement to actually carry a family in comfort.
The Heritage: Knowing she was the first of the Farr 50 IMS line gives her a collector's pedigree that standard production boats (like a Beneteau or Bavaria) simply cannot match.
