Which Hallberg-Rassy suits two adults sailing the Danish inland waters?
We are two adults looking for a Hallberg-Rassy for weekends and summer holidays in the sheltered Danish waters. Which model gives us enough comfort without being unnecessarily large, and how much should we worry about draught?
Answer
The Hallberg-Rassy 31 is my first choice for two adults cruising the Danish belts, sounds and sheltered coastal waters, with comfortable accommodation, manageable sails and straightforward harbour handling. Choose a 312 if purchase budget matters most, a 34 for longer holidays aboard, or a Rasmus 35 if shallow draught decides the choice.
Check depths and berth dimensions
Before comparing interiors, check entrance depths at your home harbour and the smaller harbours you plan to visit. Danish cruising takes in shallow fjords and anchorages as well as deep channels. Draught can matter more than an extra berth.
Use these figures as a starting point, then confirm the specification of each boat:
- HR 31: approximately 1.71 m draught with the standard keel.
- HR 34: approximately 1.85 m with the standard keel.
- HR 312: approximately 1.62 m.
- Rasmus 35: around 1.35 m, giving appreciably more freedom in shallow water.
Use current charts and harbour information. Allow clearance for waves, silting and wind-driven changes in water level. A charted depth matching your draught leaves no adequate clearance.
Check berth width, annual mooring charges and winter storage costs too. A larger boat means heavier sails, longer mooring lines and more surface area to maintain, even with only two aboard.
Why choose the HR 31
The HR 31, introduced in the early 1990s, combines an aft cockpit with a separate aft sleeping cabin. For a couple, this uses the available length well: you can leave a bed made up and still use the saloon normally.
It is big enough for proper holiday cruising without making every manoeuvre a major job. The sheltered cockpit and fixed windscreen earn their keep on cool, breezy passages between Danish islands.
At a viewing, both of you should:
- Lie in the intended double berth and check access, usable length and ventilation.
- Sit at the helm and check forward visibility around the sprayhood.
- Reach the genoa winches, mainsheet and reefing controls.
- Move between cockpit and foredeck, checking handholds and footing.
Include reefing and manoeuvring astern in the sea trial. Both adults need to be comfortable operating the boat; that matters more than an electric winch on the inventory.
When other models suit better
Choose the HR 34 for longer stays aboard. The extra room and stowage help when carrying several weeks of clothing, food and cruising equipment. It remains a realistic boat for two, but the deeper standard keel limits your choice of shallow destinations.