The yard at
Hallberg-Rassy currently produces an H-R310 but has discontinued its other 31
footers: the Monsun 31, 312, 94 Kutter, 31 Mk I and 31 Mk II. All the Hallberg-Rassy
31’s were designed by Germán Frers and built at the H-R yard in Sweden*.
This famous yard is still happily in business and providing original spare parts to all its models, always a helpful factor*.
The
Hallberg-Rassy website says they made 904 of the (most popular) Monsun design
(which is a LOT), and 2,145 of all 31 footers - but no breakdown for how many
was made of each of the other models. I can’t find owner feedback in the forums
on the H-R31 Mk I or Mk II, although the Mk II was produced for 16 years*.
This famous yard is still happily in business and providing original spare parts to all its models, always a helpful factor*.
Feedback on 31
footers in the Hallberg-Rassy series
Hmm. Once again I
find mostly rave reviews about this class of boat and a few piddly negatives.
Pretty solid feedback. Either we are working from a can’t-lose list of
recommended blue water models or all boat owners love their boats blindly,
oblivious to flaws.
‘After 35 years,
she is in remarkably good shape: no blistering, no deck delamination, no
gelcoat crazing…’ and ‘…excellent engine and shaft access through the cockpit
sole, a foredeck anchor well, H-R's trademark windshield, raised bulwarks, and
heavy duty deck hardware’ but ‘…main shortcoming, in my opinion, is lack of
headroom, about 5'10" in the main cabin’. – ByrSac, Sailnet boat reviews
on HR Monsun 31****
‘Biggest downside
for extended cruising is mainly that you are living in a boat designed for the
cruiser's of a simpler time… you won't find a convenient place for that big
6,000 watt generator or any place to stuff a microwave, washing machine, or
whatever else electrically dependent cruisers come up with. – 1Vagabundo,
Sailnet boat reviews on HR Monsun 31****
‘…spirited but
secure, comfortable… impeccably built and, because of the name, sure to hold
her value’. This reviewer also points out there is no chart table. Instead you
get an extra hanging locker and a roomier galley. -- Cruising World mini-review
September 2009 on the new H-R310**
Overall
We prefer the
lines of the old H-R31 Mk II so far. Just looks sleeker somehow. Handsome teak
on deck and it has an extra 17 inches of beam (vs the Monsun) – we like beamy
boats for a spacious feeling and just that much better storage.
I guess most
buyers would rely on GPS and not really need the chart table that is absent in
the H-R310. And there’s always the main saloon table to spread out on for chart
work (which we plan to do regularly) that’s bigger anyway. I don’t expect there
will be too many of this model on the second-hand market yet as it hasn’t been
out long.
Hope to see some
examples of any of the Hallberg-Rassy series boats at the Boat Show next year, if not sooner!
Next post
We’ll cover the
specs, price examples by age, the pluses and minuses versus our dream boat
criteria and decide if a Hallberg-Rassy 31 makes the short list in the next
post (though, hey, it’s lookin’ good...) Stay tuned.
Have you ever
sailed (or owned) this type of boat?
What do you
think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?
--Captain Cat
(transcribed by
the Can Opener)
* Data taken from Hallberg-Rassy websites
** Data taken from Cruising
World website
No comments:
Post a Comment