Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol' British built boats?

Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

Thanks for all the comments here. It's been a helpful exchange, and there clearly are a lot of HR fans out there. I'll be looking at a few in the new year and making my own decision vs. the Brit. built competition.
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

We bought our HR34 new nearly ten years ago. Naturally with something as major (and emotional) as that we tried to be as thorough and methodical as humanly possible, and faced this very dilemma. We could have done something sensible with our windfall, like invest it in the stock market, or buy a holiday home.

There are a number of factors we have learned that may help you, but generally it boils down to one main heading. And that heading is “quality”.

I’ll try not to repeat what has already been said, if possible.

It is hard to put a value on quality, but it is evident wherever you look. It is possible to argue “over-quality”, for example the diameter of the cap shrouds is some 4mm greater than the equivalent elsewhere. 6mm cap shrouds are not going to fail in most conditions we experience, but 10mm ones won’t fail in an Atlantic storm, and when aged and neglected are not likely to fail either. You tend to have confidence in a boat that goes to that length.

This quality reveals itself in attention to construction detail, finish, style, and design. What price quality? It just gives a sense of satisfaction.

Quality comes in sailing performance, stability, directional stability, balance, ease of access to the engine, effectiveness of the accommodation. You can be comfortable in the cockpit at angles of heel, and when you grab a handrail it doesn’t pull away from the headlining, like they did in an AWB we were on.

When boats get older they hold their value well. I estimate I would get the same number of pounds back if I sold Juniper today as I spent all those years ago. The question is, would you rather have an older HR than a new something else, or a more expensive HR than a cheaper UK boat? This is where it gets personal – functionally there is no difference, there might be a bit of style you find appealing, but my personal choice fell on the side of pride of ownership.

Pride of ownership plays its part. Quite often people say to us “Ooh, I have always dreamed of owning one of these!” and it is a humbling pleasure to be able to talk about the boat, and possibly let people have a look. We don’t feel smug, we just feel proud.

The car analogy is interesting, and may provide a clue. Does a chap with enough money to buy a Mercedes or other quality marque consider buying a Ford? With a few rare exceptions, no. Why not? Because he can recognise, and afford the quality the Merc will bring.

He, and you, could opt for a lesser quality, and spend the extra elsewhere.

I have never regretted our decision. I suspect if I had gone the other way, I would still be looking enviously at HRs. Good luck. Enjoy your HR, or other Scandawegian boat.
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

[ QUOTE ]
The car analogy is interesting, and may provide a clue. Does a chap with enough money to buy a Mercedes or other quality marque consider buying a Ford? With a few rare exceptions, no. Why not? Because he can recognise, and afford the quality the Merc will bring.

He, and you, could opt for a lesser quality, and spend the extra elsewhere.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are 2 sides to the car analogy. One is the quality one you have mentioned, the other is the posing power. Do you get a Range Rover to go over the fields to tend to the flock or to go to Sainsburys? The quality of the car is the same, the reasons for buying different.
For all-weather, regular sailors, then Quality will probably be the deciding factor, for the occasional weekend sailor it may be overkill.
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

I had a similar experience when I was looking to replace my Fulmar. Westerly were asking about £90K for their Fulmar replacement. It was not as well put together as the Fulmar and poorly designed both in the cockpit and below. I walked away and 4 months later having looked at everything in the 33-36 range I by chance got talking to Transworld at Hamble Point. Having ruled HR out of my search as I thought them to be outside my budget. I looked over the HR36 which was superb in finish and design below and had a list of standard fit kit that made the then price of £117K seem good value. Nine years on I would recommend the HR 36 to anyone looking for a solid boat that will take you anywhere you want to go in comfort and safety. Sadly HR have "improved" the range and no longer build the 36.
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

[ QUOTE ]
So does that explain why the Huntress is languishing in the hands of the Stratton?

[/ QUOTE ]

Mostly resting in the Warm and dry for the winter. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

[ QUOTE ]

The car analogy is interesting, and may provide a clue. Does a chap with enough money to buy a Mercedes or other quality marque consider buying a Ford? With a few rare exceptions, no. Why not? Because he can recognise, and afford the quality the Merc will bring.

He, and you, could opt for a lesser quality, and spend the extra elsewhere.


[/ QUOTE ]

Uh...actually I am one of those rare exceptions who could have bought a Mercedes, but ended-up with a Ford!! (which by the way is THE most reliable car I've ever had)...but also that's why I can think about a buying a HR...having not frittered my cash away on cars /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The car analogy is interesting, and may provide a clue. Does a chap with enough money to buy a Mercedes or other quality marque consider buying a Ford? With a few rare exceptions, no. Why not? Because he can recognise, and afford the quality the Merc will bring.

He, and you, could opt for a lesser quality, and spend the extra elsewhere.
....................................................................................
When the "company" were paying I had Mercs ( and Jags) but honestly prefered the top end Fords.
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The car analogy is interesting, and may provide a clue. Does a chap with enough money to buy a Mercedes or other quality marque consider buying a Ford? With a few rare exceptions, no. Why not? Because he can recognise, and afford the quality the Merc will bring.

He, and you, could opt for a lesser quality, and spend the extra elsewhere.
....................................................................................
When the "company" were paying I had Mercs ( and Jags) but honestly prefered the top end Fords. Can't make the comparison with HRs but am very happy with my older Moody. Not the fastest in the fleet but safe, sound and comfortable.
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for all the comments here. It's been a helpful exchange, and there clearly are a lot of HR fans out there. I'll be looking at a few in the new year and making my own decision vs. the Brit. built competition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Inevitably most people would support the sort of boat they have bought - lots of HRs around, so lots of support. I wouldnt mind one but I do think that just like BMW cars, they are trading on a past name, and just lkike 3 series BMWs have become the reps car of choice so the small HRs have become the modern day Moody / Westerley. In short, a 180k HR is a 120 k boat with a 60k name tag.

I have a 91 Moody and would not try to tell you its equivalent to a Malo. It isnt. But the current Northshore boats definitely are. In fact the woodwork alone is superb and the build quality is excellent. So if you want a good alternative to the Swedes look there. Dont forget Contest either.
 
Re: Hallberg Rassy vs. Good ol\' British built boats?

I went through this over the last 2 years, looking for a 40 footer. In general terms the HR's were presented better - perhaps the brokers insisitance, or are the owners rather more fastidious? We looked at Moodies 40 -44, Westerly Oceanlord, Bowman, and Oyster.

There was a real mixed bag. Oysters - saw one that belonged to a real bodger at Moodies yard, a Bowman - which I thoght was home built by the look of it - but wasn't, several HRs, or generally good well kept quality, 5 Westerly Ocenalords - mostly well worn from Atlantic circuits - owners didn't seem to care - had doen their bit so flog them.... and eventually the right one comes along - Oceanlord - immaculate condition at £80K. It had had £60K spent in last 3 years, new teak decks etc, had probably never ventured further than 100 miles from east coast.

After one year - no faults found other than very minor. Very pleased with quality and construction, which is really solid.

I don't think the HR represent value for money at something like twice the price.

What really woried me was reading this month YM, with a new Najad with balsa sandwich BELOW the water line. Not going there thank you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top