The Hallberg Rassy 36 is a small and manageable sailboat, yet large enough to go anywhere, at any time. Designed and built to combine the latest technologies with traditional standards, it offers comfort and pleasing lines as expected from a Hallberg Rassy.
The Hallberg Rassy 36 Designed by Germán Frers
The Hallberg Rassy 36 marks a new era for the Swedish shipyard, as it begins the collaboration with Germán Frers. Produced from 1989 to 2003, a total of 602 hulls were built during this period, divided into Mark I and II models.
Hulls from number 1 to 256, produced from 1989 to 1994, were the Mark I model, while the subsequent ones from number 257 to 602, produced from 1994 to 2003, were the Mark II.
The latter differs from the Mk I as it has a 30 cm wider transom and an integrated swimming platform. At the same time, the aft locker has been improved. The deck is also wider and higher, which has allowed for more space inside the aft cabin. Although the hull length has increased by 44 cm on the Mk II, the maximum waterline length has been increased by 67 cm. The deck lengths have remained unchanged.
The mast, keel, rudder, and underwater line, as well as the engine configuration, remain the same between Mk I and Mk II. With the Mk II version, an already good boat has become even better and more contemporary.
The Hull
The hull is made with isophthalic polyester resin and gelcoat. The gelcoat color is 1000. The 3400 kg lead keel is secured with 17 stainless steel bolts of Ø 20 mm.
The rudder shaft has a diameter of 50 mm with roller bearings.
The blue stripe on the hull sides without portholes is a characteristic of Frers’ designs.
The Deck Plan
The deck, aft swimming platform, and cockpit seats are all in 12 mm teak. The handrails and all woodwork on deck are also in fine teak. At the bow, there’s a 21 kg CQR anchor. The bow locker can accommodate up to 60 meters of chain, which is automatically stowed thanks to the windlass. On one side of the cockpit is a locker to store 2 gas bottles of 6 kg each. In the cockpit, there’s also a huge locker on the starboard side where even bicycles can be stowed. The windscreen is made of tempered glass and opens in the middle to allow good air circulation in warmer climates.
Rigging and Sails
The mast, boom, and running rigging are by Seldén. The mast is deck-stepped, above a reinforced bulkhead. The standard sails are by Elvström Sails, and the boom has a pulley system for two reefing points. There are versions with in-mast furling mainsails: for a boat of this size, it’s unnecessary and could only create problems if you need to reduce sail quickly. In this case, you can say that the rule applies: fewer (unnecessary) things on board, fewer things that can break.
Performance
The Hallberg Rassy 36 is a blue water cruising sloop with classic lines, solid, livable, and with high-quality finishes. The significant displacement of 7,500 kilos is associated with proportionate sail area, but performance suffers in the light breezes typically found in the Mediterranean during summer. On the other hand, it’s a boat capable of handling any navigation in windy and almost always rough seas, sailing softly on the waves, stable and secure. To give its best, this 36-footer needs true winds from 13 knots and up.
The Stability Curve
With standard 1.70 m keel
With deep 1.95 m keel
Engine, Heating, Fuel, and Water
The Hallberg Rassy 36 is powered by a Volvo Penta D2-55, a 4-cylinder diesel engine, 2.2-liter displacement, 41 kW / 55 HP output, mounted on flexible rubber supports with a water-cooled and silenced rubber exhaust pipe. It’s important to check this pipe as it could break over time and damage the engine. The engine is freshwater cooled. The boat comes standard with a fixed 3-blade propeller. The engine hour meter is mounted in the cockpit. For fuel storage, there are two stainless steel tanks with a total capacity of 335 liters.
Indicatively, the fuel consumption during cruising is 4 liters / hour (about 520 nautical miles).
The water tanks hold a total of 310 liters. The pressure system provides water flow to the bathrooms and kitchen. The (insulated) hot water tank with 230 V boiler keeps water hot for at least 24 hours.
Heating is provided by the thermostatically controlled Webasto Airtop 3500 Diesel. Air vents are present in the forward cabin, bathroom, saloon, and aft cabin. This can be controlled separately in the forward and aft cabins.
All filters in the engine room are easily accessible. The engine room is soundproofed and has a very low bilge pump.
The Interiors
The interior layout of the boat doesn’t differ much from the models that preceded it. A large master cabin aft, with a double bed on the right and a single on the left. Just as you enter the boat, there’s a large chart table on the left and an L-shaped galley on the right. In the center of the saloon, slightly to the left, is a large table with folding leaves, to its left an L-shaped sofa, and on the right a three-seater sofa. The height in the saloon reaches 1.91 meters. Forward is a spacious bathroom and a V-shaped cabin. The interior workmanship is very well-crafted and the chosen mahogany is worked with extreme care.
The engine compartment is particularly spacious, a common feature of all models from this shipyard.
The hull is insulated against heat and cold.
Technical Specifications of the Hallberg Rassy 36 Mk I / Mk II
Shipyard: Hallberg-Rassy Varvs AB, Sweden
Designer: Germán Frers, Argentina
First built: 1989
Material: GRP
Length overall: 10.87 m Mk I / 11.31 m Mk II
Maximum beam: 3.55 m
Draft: 1.70 m / 1.95 m in the shallow keel version
Displacement: 7,500 Kg
Ballast: 3,400 Kg
Sail area with jib: 65 sq m
Sail area with genoa: 70.2 sq m
Engine: Volvo Penta MD22P 57 HP/42 kW or D2-55
Water tank: 310 L
Fuel tank: 335 L
Cabins: 2
Bathrooms: 1 forward with independent access
Personal Considerations
For the Hallberg Rassy 36 Mk I model from ’90 or ’91, I found offers around 75,000-90,000 Euros (August 2017). You can probably negotiate the price down further.
Often the owners of these boats didn’t skimp on maintenance, so you can find vessels with replaced engines or other major work already completed. It’s not the fastest boat, but it’s certainly sturdy and comfortable for sailing solo or as a couple with occasional guests aboard. The fact that it has only one head doesn’t make it ideal for chartering, but this isn’t necessarily a limitation for hosting people on board. This boat has a teak deck, so when purchasing it’s important to carefully check the condition of the teak and determine if there are any leaks. This is a fairly common problem with this boat. Having to redo the teak can become a very expensive operation and is a point not to be underestimated.
The website: www.hallberg-rassy.com
Hallberg Rassy also provides a website for spare parts: www.hr-parts.com
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