What rig and sail inventory was standard on the Rasmus 35?
I'm looking at a Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus 35 with a furling genoa and several loose sails in bags. What rig and sails did these boats originally come with, and how can I tell which parts of the inventory are later additions?
Answer
The Hallberg-Rassy Rasmus 35 had a masthead sloop rig, with a standard mainsail of 265 sq ft and a genoa of 238 sq ft. Together, these two sails totalled 503 sq ft, approximately 46.7 m²; check additional sails and equipment against the individual boat's records.
Check the original specification
Start with the boat's original paperwork and compare it with the rig and sails aboard. Brokerage descriptions may reflect decades of replacements and alterations rather than the equipment originally supplied.
A masthead sloop has one mast, with the forestay attached at or close to the masthead, and carries a mainsail and a headsail. The main sits behind the mast, the genoa forward of it. A second mast or an additional working forestay needs an explanation in the boat's records.
Distinguish the original sail inventory from the usable sails aboard today. A sail may be the correct type for a Rasmus 35 but differ from the original in its dimensions, reefing arrangements or attachments.
Standard sail areas
The published standard specification gives these figures:
- Mainsail: 265 sq ft, approximately 24.6 m².
- Genoa: 238 sq ft, approximately 22.1 m².
- Combined listed area: 503 sq ft, approximately 46.7 m².
Use these figures when describing the inventory listed in that specification. Retain the original square-foot measurements alongside the metric conversions, as rounding can make two descriptions appear inconsistent.
The specification calls the headsail a genoa, but its area alone does not establish its overlap percentage. That requires the sail's luff perpendicular measurement and the boat's foretriangle dimensions. Nor does the mainsail area establish the number of reefs supplied, whether the battens were full length or the sailcloth weight.
The supplied specification extract does not identify the sailmaker, cloth, reef positions or year-specific changes. Check these details against the individual boat's documentation.
Extra sails and furling
The listed standard inventory comprises the main and genoa. It does not establish that a separate working jib, storm jib, spinnaker or cruising chute was included. Treat any aboard as additional equipment unless an original order, invoice or inventory confirms otherwise.