Used boats under the lens: Hallberg – Rassy 42 E

Hallberg Rassy 42 E

Hallberg – Rassy 42 E

If you are looking for a dated yet functional used boat to enjoy long cruises all over the world (at all latitudes and in all weather conditions with simplicity and comfort), the Hallberg – Rassy 42 E could be a good option.

Built between 1980 and 1991, the Hallberg – Rassy 42 E is undoubtedly one of the most iconic boats of the last century, despite her well-known flaws, such as low speed especially when sailing in light winds and a certain propensity to roll.

Over the decades, some famous units of this model, such as the Mahina Tiare II and the Solveig IV, have performed some extraordinary enterprises with their own owners, including 6-month no stop round-the world races, which have clearly showed the unquestionable reliability of these boats.

Designed by Christoph Rassy and Olle Enderlein (not to be confused with Farr’s successor model, the 42 F), the Hallberg – Rassy 42 E was produced in 225 units and her average price, reflecting the excellent functionality and quality of the boat, is always high, despite the years. The first units were equipped with a ketch rig while the following ones were sloop. The shipyard is still active today and builds the 412, the last successor of this great boat.

Exteriors

The Hallberg – Rassy 42 E is characterized by a flush deck with a rigid splash guard which, in line with the traveler spirit of this boat, stands to protect the deep central cockpit equipped with a U-shaped seat, where the wheelhouse is positioned. The sails adjustment system is located here, with the exception of the halyards which are located at the foot of the mast, on whose sides some protection and support pulpits are installed.

Lines are classic-style: the hull is wide, the bow is high to better cut through the wave and freeboards are accentuated. The stern is rounded and slightly raised from the waterline.

The deck is entirely made of teak which, at the time of construction, was laid with the help of screws on the deck which, with the consumption of the material, risked causing the screw heads to appear. For a possible purchase, we recommend to check its condition well, even if most of the teak decks should have been refitted.

Interiors

In this case, too, the Hallberg – Rassy 42 E offers a classic-style layout compared to the time she was built: the interior layout, in fact, consists of two separate cabins and is designed for long-range cruising. It is no coincidence that the master cabin is located in the stern since this is the area which is less affected by the pitch, accessible from a corridor on the left side and equipped with two berths, a larger and a smaller one and a private bathroom. The second cabin, with a V-bed, is located in the bow and equipped with a private bathroom.

The dinette includes a galley with U-shaped countertop, a chart table further aft, a central table with folding wings and double seating.

The interior furniture is completely made of sturdy wood (check its condition and lacquering well!) and has many handholds to hang on to while sailing.

Appendages and sail plan

The boat is available with two rigging versions: ketch, for perfect sail trimming, and sloop, which increases loads but decreases maneuvers. In all versions, the masts always rest on the deck. The deck equipment is well-sized, therefore easier to manage when sailing with small crew. It is advisable to thoroughly check the rigging, even more in the ketch model, since the cost for any replacement is almost double.

The overall sail pain is 101.5 m² in the ketch version, 95 m² in the sloop one.

The keel of the Hallberg – Rassy 42 E is of the long type, which guarantees a low draft (2.05 m) at the expense of the ballast which is 4,500 kg. This system, little used on modern boats, guarantees an excellent course stability when the boat gains speed, but reduces maneuverability at low speed: maneuvring in the port might be difficult for beginners. The rudder is semi-skeg.

We recommend to check whether the fiberglass hull suffers from osmosis or, in the best of cases, if it has undergone recent preventive treatments.

Propulsion and systems

The boat was originally provided with three possible engine options, all by Volvo Penta and with stern drive propulsion: MD 21, MD 31A and TMD 31. The standard option ( MD 31A) delivers 62 HP/46 Kw which makes the boat reach a top speed of 8.1 knots. The engine is positioned under the cockpit and accessible from the corridor and the companionway. Some used models might still have the original engine: given the absence of complicated electronics, if well maintained, they could still work properly. We recommend, however, a thorough check of this part in case of purchase.

The Hallberg – Rassy 42 E is equipped with four 135 Ah batteries, one for the engine, three for the systems.

The tanks are very large, the fresh water capacity is equal to 725 l, while the diesel one is 395 l. This facilitates long stays on board, without the need for refueling stops.

All systems, like the boat itself, have an average of about thirty years of life and have often been used a lot and for many miles. This can be a two-sided medal; if on the one hand it can be a guarantee of constant maintenance, on the other you risk, in case of intervention, that the circuits have been reworked several times and therefore it may be more difficult to figure it out.

Prices and market values

The price of the Hallberg – Rassy 42 E ranges from EUR 80,000 for boats that need major refitting to EUR 180,000 for those that are perfectly maintained, updated and well-equipped.

It is a very wide price range which, however, marks a really high average considering the years of life of the boats. It reflects the value of these boats, due to a constant request for a model that, for lovers of the genre, will always remain appreciated for its quality and functionality.

Today, the market offers the following prices:

Portal	Year	Price (€)	Position	Version
Mondialbroker	1981	85,000	Italy	Ketch
TuttoBarche	1987	95,000	Greece	Ketch
Barche24	1986	137,000	Netherlands	Ketch
TopYacht	1990	180,000	Italy	Sloop
Yachtall	1988	120,000	Italy	Sloop
Yachtworld	1983	130,000	USA	Ketch

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Hallberg – Rassy 42 E Technical Specs

Designers	Christoph Rassy / Olle Enderlein
Hull length	12.93 m / 42′ 4″
Waterline at rest	10.5 m / 34′ 6″
Beam	3.78 m / 12′ 5″
Draft, empty standard boat	2.05 m * / 6′ 9″ *
Displacement, empty standard boat	11 500 kg / 25 353 lbs
Keel weight	4 500 kg / 9 920 lbs
Keel type	Incapsulated steel keel in deep bilge
Sail area with 100 % working jib, ketch rig	79 m²
Sail area with 100 % working jib, sloop rig	75.5 m²
* = Also available as a 30 cm more shallow draft version with incapsulated lead keel

Sail area with genoa, ketch rig	101.5 m²
Sail area with genoa, sloop rig	95 m²
Headroom saloon	1.85 m (6’1”)
Engine, Volvo Penta	MD 21, MD 31A, TMD 31
Power for MD 31A	62 HP / 46 kW
Speed under power	8.1 knots
Fresh water	725 litres / 192 US gallon
Diesel	395 litres / 105 US gallon
Mast over water, ketch, without Windex	16.27 m / 53 ft 5 inch
Mast over water, sloop, without Windex	17.74 m / 58 ft 3 inch
Transport height without windscreen, winches removed	3.82 m / 12′ 6″
Transport height with windscreen	4.00 m / 13′ 1″

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View Comments

Ademar José Pereira says:

March 12, 2023 at 5:46 pm

I would like see the boat in Italy 42E Hallberg Rassy sloop 1988 Send for me more information about. I'm live in Portugal and in the final march ,i have time to travel to Italy , What City and were is stay.