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The Farrell Family
Few people have embodied the west coast spirit of adventure and simple joie de vivre as Allen and Sharie Farrell, along with their sons, Barrie, Jerry and Keray. As a family, the Farrells built more than 40 beautiful wooden sailing vessels and sailed throughout the pacific. As these vessels were built by hand, using the simplest of tools, often with beach combed wood, they served not only as homes and modes of travel, but also represented an unconventional, yet sustainable way of living.
Allen and Sharie met on the Sunshine Coast in 1945, and realized their shared passion for sailing in 1949, when they launched Wind Song, a 36-foot schooner. They soon set sail to Hawaii, and later arrived in Fiji after 56 days at sea. This would be the first of the Farrells’ many voyages together, as they later made return trips to Hawaii, and travelled to Santa Barbara, Mexico and north to Namu, a small fishing port on the coast of British Columbia. When one considers that these long trips at sea were accomplished aboard vessels without engines, radar or refrigeration, it becomes apparent that their adventures came coupled
with elements of risk.
Yet the Farrells also found stability at sea. A big part of life afloat was spent in the company of good friends, in secluded anchorages, sharing food and stories. The family was always happy to meet new people and was known for their gracious
hospitality. They soon became a part of an extended community of cruising sailors. In addition to their passion for sailing and boat building, Allen and Sharie were also artists who depicted the beauty of coastal landscapes, simple homes and the subtlety of sailing vessels. Allen’s works are known to show a stark contrast between the natural beauty of cold British Columbia and the warm colors of the tropics.
In their later years, the Farrells designed and built China Cloud, a fifty foot three-masted junk that was launched in 1981. As boat builders and designers, sailors and artists, the Farrells led extraordinary lives of independence and creativity that are
inspirational, and have left a distinct mark on the maritime traditions of British Columbia. The Farrell exhibit at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives features original photographs, design plans, articles, tools as well as a scale model replica of the China Cloud, designed and sailed by the Farrell family.
Allen and Sharie met on the Sunshine Coast in 1945, and realized their shared passion for sailing in 1949, when they launched Wind Song, a 36-foot schooner. They soon set sail to Hawaii, and later arrived in Fiji after 56 days at sea. This would be the first of the Farrells’ many voyages together, as they later made return trips to Hawaii, and travelled to Santa Barbara, Mexico and north to Namu, a small fishing port on the coast of British Columbia. When one considers that these long trips at sea were accomplished aboard vessels without engines, radar or refrigeration, it becomes apparent that their adventures came coupled
with elements of risk.
Yet the Farrells also found stability at sea. A big part of life afloat was spent in the company of good friends, in secluded anchorages, sharing food and stories. The family was always happy to meet new people and was known for their gracious
hospitality. They soon became a part of an extended community of cruising sailors. In addition to their passion for sailing and boat building, Allen and Sharie were also artists who depicted the beauty of coastal landscapes, simple homes and the subtlety of sailing vessels. Allen’s works are known to show a stark contrast between the natural beauty of cold British Columbia and the warm colors of the tropics.
In their later years, the Farrells designed and built China Cloud, a fifty foot three-masted junk that was launched in 1981. As boat builders and designers, sailors and artists, the Farrells led extraordinary lives of independence and creativity that are
inspirational, and have left a distinct mark on the maritime traditions of British Columbia. The Farrell exhibit at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives features original photographs, design plans, articles, tools as well as a scale model replica of the China Cloud, designed and sailed by the Farrell family.
