Thoughts on Hallberg Rassy 38

[Rhythm]

Hello,
I wanted to get perspectives on the Hallberg Rassy 38. I already know many consider Hallberg Rassy boats to be high quality offshore boats, but how does the HR 38 sail? How does she go to weather? Is she any fun to sail?

[Dockhead]

They are gorgeous boats, among the nicest made and finished you can find. Also very seaworthy. But the Enderlein-designed HR's, including the 38, are not known to be very fast or very weatherly. The boats have longish keels and tend to wallow a bit. That's according to what I've heard and read; disclaimer -- I haven't tried one myself.

[Rhythm]

Thanks for the reply!
I suspected the boat wouldn't go to weather or trot along as fast as more modern designs, but it's extremely hard to judge to what degree it won't do these things, and if it is passes the threshold of being fun. I found that boats (such as a Morgan 41 w/ hydraulic steering) which do not respond at the helm without lots of over-correcting, and which are extremely slow upwind because of the tacking angles, are just not much fun to sail, and was wondering if the HR 38 crosses the "fun" threshold, and is more of a chore to sail.

[Dockhead]

Well, you had better try one. I suspect you may find more fun to sail boats out there. We recently switched from a semi-long keel boat similar to the HR38, to a modern bulb keel boat, and it is a revelation. Never go back.

[CFR]

Hi from germany, sail some HR and it is really a question what you have in mind. Nasty sea and real wind on a 3 days tour: you will like the HR, it will perform constantly with a nice motion that you can handle for some days. You will feel safe which to me is important at sea. If you like to daysail in summer there are faster and funnier boats arround like a a X-35 . It is really up to the purpose.

[s/v Jedi]

I agree with CFR. I think you worry about upwind performance enough to consider other designs although the X-35 is all the way over at the other end and less "sturdy" than the HR.

cheers,
Nick.

[CFR]

All boats a compromisses and i do not think you canget all in one package like with cars: you can take a lightweight mazda Miata up top a Corvette or a BMW 7 or a Range Rover, all cars are good for the indented purpose. same with boats. i like dinghy sailing and Hobie Cat, i had a folkboat but now a 14 ton aluminium one. you can not compare and you have to make your choice. all the so named cruiser racer looking fast and nice and they are fast with 4 sailors on board and expensive sails, but check your own style and what you like to do in future. back to the HR pls check carefully the teakdeck because although they are very solid built after 20 or 30 years you will need a new teak which will be a real expensive job to do.

[Rhythm]

Thanks for the responses!
My intended purpose is to sail from Seattle down the West coast of the U.S., Central America, then end up in the Caribbean, stopping along the way. My wife and I are in our early 30s and the point of the trip is to slow down and enjoy life a little more... so I think the HR will be the right boat for us, especially since it is difficult for us to afford a more modern boat without digging into our savings. Maybe we'll get that more modern boat when we are older.