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Hallberg Rassy 34
Designer: German Frers  ·  Builder: Hallberg-Rassy (Swe)  ·  First built: 1990
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About the Hallberg Rassy 34

Designed by renowned naval architect German Frers and built by Sweden's prestigious Hallberg-Rassy yard from 1990 to 2005, this 34-footer represents classic Scandinavian cruising yacht philosophy with modern performance characteristics. The 484 hulls produced during its 15-year production run speak to its enduring popularity among serious cruising sailors. Built with solid fiberglass construction and featuring a fin keel with spade rudder configuration, the HR 34 delivers excellent sailing performance while maintaining the seakindly characteristics Hallberg-Rassy is famous for. The fractional sloop rig provides versatility for both coastal cruising and offshore passages, with balanced sail handling that's manageable for short-handed crews. With generous displacement of 11,684 pounds and substantial ballast of 4,630 pounds, this yacht offers the stability and comfort expected for extended cruising. The comfort ratio of 23.99 indicates a motion that favors long-distance sailing over racing, while the capsize screening value of 1.98 confirms its offshore capability. The boat's reputation centers on exceptional build quality, thoughtful layout, and the ability to handle serious blue water sailing while remaining comfortable at anchor. For sailors seeking a proven platform for coastal exploration or ocean crossing, the HR 34 represents Swedish craftsmanship at its finest.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 33.73 ft / 10.28 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.50 ft / 8.69 m
Beam 11.22 ft / 3.42 m
Max Draft 6.07 ft / 1.85 m
Displacement 11,684.00 lb / 5,300 kg
Ballast 4,630.00 lb / 2,100 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 592.00 ft² / 55.00 m²
Headroom 6.10 ft / 1.86 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer German Frers
Builder Hallberg-Rassy (SWE)
First Built 1990
Last Built 2005
Number Built 484
Related Sailboats Pearson 34 · Tartan 33 · Southerly 101 · Friendship 33 · Beneteau 347
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For
Medium Hull/Deck
The teak deck overlay used on many HR 34s is bonded over the FRP deck. Over time the caulking between teak strips deteriorates, allowing water to migrate beneath the teak and into the underlying deck laminate, leading to delamination and core saturation in the balsa-cored deck sections.
Medium Hull/Deck
The hull-to-deck joint on Hallberg-Rassy boats of this era uses an outward-turned flange bolted and bonded, then covered by a rubrail. The rubrail aluminum extrusion can trap moisture against the joint, and fastener corrosion here has been reported; careful inspection behind and beneath the rubrail is warranted.
High Keel
The fin keel on early production HR 34s is attached with stainless steel keel bolts that pass through a lead keel. Galvanic interaction between the stainless hardware and the lead can cause bolt crevice corrosion, which is difficult to detect without removing the interior keel sump cover and probing each bolt.
1990–1996 models
Medium Engine
Many HR 34s were fitted with the Volvo Penta MD2040 or MD22 diesel. The raw-water impeller housing on these engines is prone to cracking when the engine is run dry even briefly, and the heat exchanger end caps are known to develop pinhole leaks after 15–20 years of service.
Medium Electrical
The shore-power inlets and 12V wiring looms on HR 34s from the early 1990s used undersized terminal blocks and non-tinned wire in some runs. Corrosion at these terminals and at the main distribution panel is a known issue on boats that have spent significant time in salt-water environments.
1990–1997 models
Medium Rigging
The HR 34 uses an in-mast furling mainsail system as standard or optional equipment. The Seldén or Furlex in-mast furler foil can develop hairline cracks at the lower extrusion joint after repeated furling loads, and the internal halyard sheave box in the mast is difficult to inspect without lowering the spar.
Low Accommodations
The teak and holly cabin sole on the HR 34 is prone to the holly veneer lifting at seams in the forward cabin and nav station area where bilge moisture migrates upward through the plywood substrate. This is a recurring maintenance issue specific to this interior fit-out.

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 18.46
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 39.63
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 225.32
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 23.99
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.98
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.15 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,142.57 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
Mast Height (DWL) 50.85 ft / 15.50 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo Penta
Engine Model MD 2003
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 28
Fuel Capacity 41 gals / 155 L
Water Capacity 67 gals / 255 L
How It Compares

vs. Beneteau 347, Friendship 33, Pearson 34, Southerly 101, Tartan 33

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
33.7 ft
Beneteau 347
33.7 ft
Friendship 33
33.6 ft
Pearson 34
33.8 ft
Southerly 101
33.8 ft
Tartan 33
33.7 ft
LWL
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
28.5 ft
Beneteau 347
28.6 ft
Friendship 33
25.9 ft
Pearson 34
28.1 ft
Southerly 101
25.0 ft
Tartan 33
28.8 ft
Beam
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
11.2 ft
Beneteau 347
11.1 ft
Friendship 33
10.8 ft
Pearson 34
11.2 ft
Southerly 101
10.3 ft
Tartan 33
11.0 ft
Displacement
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
11 lbs
Beneteau 347
9 lbs
Friendship 33
9 lbs
Pearson 34
11 lbs
Southerly 101
9 lbs
Tartan 33
10 lbs
Ballast
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
4 lbs
Beneteau 347
3 lbs
Friendship 33
3 lbs
Pearson 34
4 lbs
Southerly 101
4 lbs
Tartan 33
4 lbs
Sail Area
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
592 sq ft
Beneteau 347
—
Friendship 33
519 sq ft
Pearson 34
550 sq ft
Southerly 101
—
Tartan 33
531 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
—
Beneteau 347
—
Friendship 33
—
Pearson 34
144 s/nm
Southerly 101
—
Tartan 33
153 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
18.5
Beneteau 347
—
Friendship 33
18.6
Pearson 34
17.6
Southerly 101
—
Tartan 33
18.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
39.6 %
Beneteau 347
38.1 %
Friendship 33
39.3 %
Pearson 34
—
Southerly 101
44.3 %
Tartan 33
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
24.0
Beneteau 347
—
Friendship 33
21.7
Pearson 34
23.4
Southerly 101
—
Tartan 33
21.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
1.98
Beneteau 347
—
Friendship 33
2.05
Pearson 34
2.00
Southerly 101
—
Tartan 33
2.04
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
225
Beneteau 347
184
Friendship 33
243
Pearson 34
—
Southerly 101
284
Tartan 33
—
Hull Speed
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
7.2 kts
Beneteau 347
—
Friendship 33
6.8 kts
Pearson 34
7.1 kts
Southerly 101
—
Tartan 33
7.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Hallberg Rassy 34 ★
—
Beneteau 347
—
Friendship 33
—
Pearson 34
2.5
Southerly 101
—
Tartan 33
3.0
Resources & Community
⚓ Class Association Hallberg-Rassy Owners 💬 Owners Forum Owners Forum & Discussion
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