Long before Farr Yacht Design Ltd. established its presence as one of the preeminent designers of offshore racing yachts, Bruce Farr and partner Russ Bowler had already established themselves as world class dinghy designers and helmsmen. While a dinghy design by the Farr office might be a surprise to some, it was not to Ian Bruce. Himself an international calibre dinghy sailor, and one of the owners of Performance Sailcraft, he just happened to be looking for a new boat for his company.

Ian was looking for a boat that would fill the demand he was getting for a boat in which parents could take their children on the water and teach them how to sail. The Byte, which he designed, was too small having been designed for the 100 - 150 lb. sailor. Therefore, what he was looking for was a boat that could carry some "serious weight" with a proper cockpit laid out for two people, but with the simplicity of a single sail. It would have no wires holding up the mast and would have a lightweight, tapered, carbon fiber tube. It would be very fast, yet, it would be a pleasure to sail. In addition, it would be light enough (130lbs) to throw up on the car top making it a truly recreational product