On Test: Hallberg Rassy 44

Yachting World's two day test aboard the HR44, a departure design for the Swedish yard and one that sports twin rudders and a plumb stem. Pip Hare's full report is in the June 2017 issue

[@Bravo21]

Looks like a winner and I especially like the engine room. Far too many manufacturers overlook that space. Access to mechanical and electrical systems for maintenance and repair are of primary importance in a cruising yacht.

[@MauserM03Blog]

Thanks for these comments and insights Pip, noting that your full review will be elsewhere. Great footage of the 44 in interesting conditions. 'Sailing that is effortless but not joyless', is the take-away. Sounds good to me, a prospective customer who wants a yacht that performs, while being easy for a no-longer young couple to handle. Rick. p.s. From 2:20 - good boat speeds. Can't make out the wind speed and direction though. Impressive.

[@badapple65]

A great description of a work of art. Just beautiful it is.

[@karlossjackel2344]

stunning yacht all i need to buy 1 is a lotto win

[@chikken_soup]

I was hoping HR wouldn't go for the boxy hull trend

[@user-tt5ym6ig5w]

С какой же любовью сделан этот круизер , внимание к каждой мелочи. Качество и надежность мне кажется даже с экрана монитора. Обслуживание мотора да и само место моторного отсека заслуживает отдельную похвалу.

[@thomateish]

Pip Hare is a great sailor, quite sad that we didn’t actually saw her handling this boat

[@DistantShoresTV]

Great shots of the HR44 sailing in very windy conditions and pretty big seas! Interesting to see HR make a twin rudder design. Pip mentions a bow thruster but it would have been interesting to see some shots of maneuvering in harbour as well.

[@PeteGriffiths_petegrif]

Excellent point. She also mentioned the fact that the boat has a stern thruster as well. This isn't a luxury. If you have twin rudders the prop wash vanishes between the rudders and you can't use it to kick the stern around. Driving this boat backwards is going to be tricky and without the stern thruster, very tricky.

[@deibertmichael]

If only! Love this Yacht!

[@briannelson670]

I miss Chris Beeson; I watched your reviews because I appreciated his style.

[@m.fheagle3286]

It always amused me, when Chris Beeson would demonstrate a sundowner or lounging around; how into the role he would get. He would sit and hold an imaginary drink, while looking longingly out a port. Hilarious dedication to his review work.

[@orlovsskibet]

Was that a test?

[@70NA5]

please don't film vertically

[@wilfdarr]

70NA5 Ya, we all make mistakes, but I would have cropped it and used it picture in picture to hide my mistake. 😆

[@markriobr]

Will buy one , love the interior . the engine room with space to move . Can have 8 people at least all comfortable and sails very stable over high windy open ocean water . Today is July 2022 and I think i can afford one 2017 in good shape . Also can sail by myself from Brazil or east of the USA to Europe if I need . Just wonder how much people are selling for that model and year .

[@briannewton1926]

Owned a Malo 43 Classic that the selling agent in the UK said was the finest Malo they had delivered in 24 years. And while I had wanted a HallBerg Rassy 42 I was so very pleased to purchase a yacht that my wife and I could modify to our preferences. But NO for HR!

[@alexk3806]

So very beautiful I could cry

[@mboyer68]

Seemed like a lot of wheel input to keep her going straight?

[@ernestolondero]

Beautiful!

[@pekka75]

Wow.. what a beautiful boat!!

[@jeanlefevre6146]

Très beau bateau, construction et finitions haut de gamme conformes aux habitudes du chantier. Les performances véliques semblent également au rendez -vous. Toutefois, le chantier ainsi que les essayeurs restent très discrets sur les capacités de rangement dans le carré. Reste t'il un peu de place sous les sièges du carré pour accueillir bouteilles d'eau et autres boites de conserve indispensables pour envisager une croisière hauturière ? Pas une seule photo ni le moindre commentaire au sujet des coffres de cockpit. S'agit il d'une faiblesse du bateau que l'on chercherait à masquer ? Surprenant tout de même pour un croiseur qui se veut hauturier ! On s'interroge également sur la possibilité d'installer des toiles anti-roulis sur la splendide couchette double en option dans la cabine arrière.

[@doxies]

Beautiful boat - love Hallberg Rassy yachts but a variable draft keel for cruising in the Caribbean offers more flexibility.

[@michaeldouglas6872]

I really like Hallerg Rassy's but they seem like a wet boat and really not much room in the cockpit. Just observing as never sailed on a Hallberg Rassy, so looking forward to being corrected or informed by experienced mariners.

[@Oggiwara1]

Lack of room in the cockpit is due to the fact that HR build safe center cockpit boats for sailors at sea and not for parties in a marina.

[@ArazQizilbash]

​@@Oggiwara1We are the third generation (my grandfather, my father, me) and we really enjoy being an HR user/customer and we are satisfied, but in hot climates there is always the need to spend time in the cockpit and the HR cockpit table is not suitable for more than two people, for example four people cannot have dinner in the cockpit.

[@jens5934]

Feels like Pip was reviewing a caravan. Nothing about the handling of the hull at different points of sail, only that the boat looked after them in fresh conditions?! They had a few days on board, surely they'd be able to form some form of opinion by that time? Shame, on opportunity lost!

[@jacobjorgenson9285]

jens Go view it yourself, and for god sake stop whining already

[@marianoschaller9066]

Is that all you get after two days??? A light walk around in the interior and that's it? In two days???

[@twotfreigh4946]

BA boat, ty for sharing! Smiles

[@isaiah30v8]

Nice! Now please take the new Hallberg Rassey 40 C out for a test sail.

[@gvjones74]

Love it. But where do you store the dinghy, put the solar panels and or wind turbine.

[@koborkutya7338]

arch is option

[@corvavw6447]

In 1woord SUPER!

[@oceandrew]

Is it just me or do the bows look like they'd be easily buried in heavier seas typically found in blue water passages?

[@General_Crock]

There was a (Dutch?) review that mentioned that. They thought that it might not be a problem, or at least just a minor one, had the anchor and chain been stored in the bilge or aft as many folks do on blue water cruises. I think HR should fly us in to test that hypothesis.

[@MauserM03Blog]

Was that Dutch review on KZbin? If elsewhere, clues?

[@General_Crock]

sittbrunnen.se

[@rfunk727]

I agree, for a center cockpit, she was fairly wet.

[@PierreDelorean]

best boat ever made ; one the greatest quality

[@Wowwow-wl3kx]

how much is this? is it worth to buy?😅

[@johanwesterberg8744]

No doubt a wonderful boat - but for a full "test" like this, is there NOTHING wrong with the boat? Nothing that could be improved? No trade-off that the potential customer should be aware of? When looking at a test like this, I would like to trust you guys to be objective.

[@lungarotta]

These tests are sponsored by the boat builders, and actually they are a form of advertisement.

[@FrankHRitz]

YW seldom does critics something.

[@Andre-os7kj]

it's hard to find something wrong in one Hallberg Rassy ...

[@Mahalo_83]

Johan Westerberg they want you buy the magazine for the full review

[@edwardo737]

She said the aft cabin isn’t a sea berth.

[@MondoRockable]

Why do yachtsman/people hate twin rudders? Seem to be pretty common on boats 40'+ these days.

[@dm5374]

Do those vertical battens actually work usefully? In the first part of the video it would appear not so.

[@mboyer68]

Those vertical battens are counter productive to flow. They're only building boats for really lazy sailors now. They can keep the mast furling crap, I'll take a better main and have to work a little harder.

[@albertofourie3294]

No they don't! You do not get a good sail shape! Just another modern day sailboat gimmick!

[@braaapindustries9190]

I like the interior

[@RickMentore]

Pip Hare is cute, not to mention the other fantastic qualities. And yea, that Hallberg Rassy not too bad either?

[@razzorbladz]

I'd own one if i was a millionaire

[@zeusolimpo4814]

I love sea and boat is my dream have one 🥂🌌🙏🏻

[@paulbennett7743]

What is her draft?

[@RHP-pw8xt]

I always 'windows' were known as 'ports' and beds were called 'berths'. Oh dear....

[@harbourdogNL]

3:39: For an experienced blue-water sailor, what changes would you want for a sea-berth?

[@kz4506]

Nice timbers used in this boat looks shippy nice , wheel is to big and wares you out going down wind , the screen in a waist of time , better bui,d a hard dodger to keep the boat dry , it seams like a wet boat but nice

[@michaeldouglas6872]

hate they box in the video like that, can't see anything

[@lungarotta]

Surely she is faster than the older models but I can see from this video that she's a wet boat, while the older models were not.

[@xpost9381]

Totally agree with you. The changes in hull design is for speed only. But less good for heavy weather sailing with soft movement in the sea. I have sailed HR in full storm and 10 meter waves off the coast of Norway and that was just a blast. Two rudder setup will also change negatively the maneuverability in harbour. HR like all other manufacturer live from selling boats so they must adapt to what is the trends and what sells. It is the leisure marked with nice weather sailing which is the dominating one. So it is all about economy, and not about what is best for heavy weather. When that said HR is still one of the best.

[@GorgorothVK]

@@xpost9381 I doubt very much you had a blast in 10 m waves. That’s halfway up the mast. You were either scared for your life or, more likely, significantly overstating the conditions.

[@xpost9381]

@@GorgorothVK Thank you for the information about your doubts ..... but actually.... it's rather irrelevant...... and don't worry ..... there won't come a request your way to participate - anytime soon..... I can add here.... First you seem quite oblivious about what the open ocean - in this case the North Atlantic - has to offer with a wind force of full storm. It's normal dude... it can happen any day of the year. Second: You seem also quite oblivious about what a sailboat is capable of...... Those conditions were absolutely no problem .... it was indeed a blast..... Third: One must have an idea of what to do when you are out there....right.... So for you .... just stay on land .... I guess it's the safest for you .....

[@LeonAllanDavis]

Hmmm...that onesie she's wearing zips all the way down the front...nice...

[@harbourdogNL]

2:10 - 2:21 YES! Look at that...sublime...

[@andrewlabat9963]

I buy extra lotto tickets just for this one.. lol..

[@glevumconsulting146]

everything electric at the push of a button.....nothing in the review to comment on the back up manual systems ? Surely a critical requirement on a bluewater boat.

[@emreg89]

My dream

[@wesbrown460]

She doesn't sound super excited... Like I'd easily be willing to.. idk punch a someone to put one of these through it's paces.

[@Gaolii]

I'd swap out that ridiculous helm wheel ... everything else about this yacht is near to perfection, even though this "test" video is more a commercial for HR than an informative yacht test.

[@petterskoglund2228]

To get the real review you have to buy their magazine, this is just a teaser.

[@gregarioussolitudinist5695]

seems a little foolish to have that dodger top even with the chin of the skipper. All the moisture directed straight into their face.

[@tm502010]

WAY TOO WET! This is not a cruising comfort boat, despite what anyone may say. Decks awash, a wet and wind exposed cockpit, even the jackets of the crew and helmsman were soaked! This is Sweden - so that sail would be a misery for anyone but a hard-bitten racer. This would not be my choice of yacht..

[@vladimirmateimatei9337]

⛵❤️👌

[@davidwarnes5158]

Shame about the rig swept back spreaders as a round the world cruise boat , cannot put the boom out and run with the trade winds and down the waves, more of a broad reaching yacht now , Looks like a production, jeanneau, beneteau or Hanse, shame

[@miklemikemuster]

Forward Heads? mmmmmk ya champagne supernover

[@ralph9987]

Hardly a test or even a review. :(

[@sucapizda]

Sailer dude is getting soaked. How shitty is that eh. This wouldn't happen in a Amel. A much much better sailing boat.

[@gregoryyount6907]

Not a very informative review, nor a very attractive boat. A pity, as Frers typically draws beautiful, as well as good performing, sailboats. I wonder what compelled Hallberg to pursue the flavor of the month, broad stern/plumb bow approach? Competition from the less expensive French production boats? Late model HR designs have started to reduce stowage in favor of boat show appealing open saloons and increased port/window area. I am not sure they haven't lost their way. Just my opinion.

[@General_Crock]

There's an interview with German on 59-north.com where he talks about the design- he states that he suggested (and had to push) to Magnus Rassy that they move to the broad stern/ plumb bow and twin rudder configuration, and that he believes that tastes will evolve towards that being the better aesthetic. Interestingly, at least to me, he says his father used to design boats with that hull-shape and yacht design has come full circle, back to what is the most efficient hull shape. It's a bit of a slow podcast, but interesting for fans of Frers and boat nerds. HR's order book is packed at the moment, and they can't hire fast enough for their production needs. That's what would worry me more than the design evolution if I were looking at a new HR- lots of new guys tabbing bulkheads and laying glass down.

[@TeeFunkable]

Well, if the flavor of the month sells and the older designs don't, it's a bit of a no brainer. And yes, competition at all price points most certainly will affect their decisions. And you must admit, that it wouldn't hurt to have the older models shift along at slightly better speeds. This is supposed to be the fastest rassy ever with a pretty wide margin. And it's still a heavy boat on modern day standards, so it would probably be good on passages. Even though I'm not a massive fan of the visuals, I think that at least the fat arse alleviates one of the main problems HR boats have traditionally struggled with: deck storage. Or lack of there of. The lazarettes of the old 43 were pretty laughable, at least there are now at least two almost decent sized ones. And given the extra mid ship cabin, the v berth can function as a bit of a sail locker while underway. I like that. I also don't buy the argument of considerably less storage. Yes, there are hull ports, because people like them. I'm indifferent, but I'm not lucky enough to be able live aboard.. Otherwise the arrangement looks exactly pretty much like previous models. And don't forget, there is basically an extra cabin worth of stowage compared to the previous 43, all thanks to those ghastly plumb lines...

[@bobbyshah5743]

Sorry to say this, but you have been doing reviews for years, the audio and video quality is pathetic.

[@DistantShoresTV]

I thought they had some very good shots of the HR under sail in quite strong winds...

[@swheeler6848]

she seems to ride with the bow low in the water...

[@lisar9425]

Lovely boat. However, manufacturers need to back off the cheesy music. We know these are promotional. But the soundtrack is off-putting.

[@ralphaverill2001]

Bow thruster?! My sailing days were limited to race-crewing Catalina 30's and an 11 meter, and owning a Newport 30 mark II, all on San Francisco Bay. I can't imagine someone buying a boat like this and having sailing skill so limited he/she needs a bow thruster.

[@General_Crock]

I've sailed for 40 years, including racing lasers and other dinghys, as well as my 27 and 35 foot sloops, and yet I like a bow thruster for windy days in tight marinas. These boats have high sheerlines and light weight for their length, particularly in comparison to the boats you mention, and the bow can blow away much more quickly. But maybe my skills still suck. Or not.

[@PeteGriffiths_petegrif]

And I'm sure you find a stern thruster excessive. :) But bear in mind that this boat has twin rudders. It's a different animal.