- from shed to famous boatyard

 
The Hallberg-Rassy yard

Company history In our modern time age, boat building has not been spared series building or mass production, it is good to know that the Hallberg-Rassy yard existed in the days when boat building still meant wood and individual boats. In view of this we have specialized, from the earliest days, in comfortable sailing boats suitable for longer voyages. We have stayed true to the concept of sturdy craft, well protected cockpits, high endurance and good sailing qualities with a high degree of comfort. It means we can build long series of boats with a quality that is affordable. We have adapted to the changing requirements of our customers, particularly the demand for better sailing qualities. Because of our strong position in the international market we have been able to establish a collaboration with one of the best known designers of our time - Germán Frers. Frers has become well known particularly for the racing success of his designs. However the fact is he comes from a true boat building family. He knows the difference between racing and cruising, and we are proud that this collaboration has come about. At the same time though we are aware that we are under an obligation. The latest Hallberg-Rassy yachts offer you the best that you can buy for the future with regard to sailing features, comfort and overall quality. Have a look at a Hallberg-Rassy! Come on board! The superb woodwork gives it an unmistakable atmosphere. A Hallberg-Rassy is a safe investment - yesterday, today and tomorrow!

One of the three work shops where all in
all 48 yachts are being built continuously

What today is called Hallberg-Rassy Varvs AB was originally two yards

Mr Hallberg Harry Hallberg, who lived between 1914 and 1997, commenced his boatbuilding career as a juvenile of 14, by constructing boats made of wood. In 1943 he opened his own yard at Kungsviken on the island of Orust in Sweden. At first, he built his wooden boats more or less by instinct. Different possibilities were discussed with the customer andsolutions pointed out. Blueprints hardly existed at all. It was said that: "Someone who cannot build a boat without drawings cannot call himself a real boat builder".

The P 28, designed by Harry Hallberg

Mr Rassy

Christoph Rassy was brought up in Bavaria in the south of Germany by a lake named Starnberger See. In his spare time he built models of boats and also real boats. He wanted to learn more about boats and became an apprentice at a small yard for wooden boats in southern Germany. Soon he wanted to build and sail larger and finer boats and wanted to live by the sea. He thought that Sweden, a large country with lots of water, was bound to build large and splendid boats. Consequently, he wrote to many Swedish boatyards, requesting work. One yard wrote that they would welcome him, and in 1962 Christoph moved empty-handed and with a bicycle as his only possession to Nötesund, Sweden to build boats. During the day he built boats for a boatyard that today since many years is out of business. To stretch his cash flow young Mr Rassy built boats for himself in his spare time. He raced these boats, won, and sold them at a profit. Soon Christoph Rassy wanted to strike out on his own. As luck had it, this coincided with a leading boat builder's change of premises. This boat builder was Harry Hallberg.In the mid-60’s the yard at Kungsviken had become too small for Mr Hallberg and he built new premises in Ellös, 10 kilometres to the southwest on the island of Orust. When Christoph Rassy started his own business he bought the old Hallberg yard in Kungsviken.

Wooden boat built by Christoph Rassy in 1960s

Hallberg and Rassy were competitors 1965-1972

Hallberg-Rassy since 1972

Harry Hallberg retired in 1972. Again, fate intervened; Christoph Rassy was looking for larger premises. Ellös now produced the "Mistral 33" featuring a superstructure of mahogany, the 1/2 ton "Mistress 32", the best-selling "P-28" and the little yellow "Misil 24", all designed by Olle Enderlein, with the exception of the P-28 which was designed by Harry Hallberg. In 1972 the Rassy yard in Kungsviken purchased Harry Hallberg’s yard in Ellös. As the Hallberg brand was by far the most well-known with its four designs and the Rassy yard only had the Rasmus; the new company was named Hallberg-Rassy. Harry Hallberg and Christoph Rassy, however, have never been partners. As a matter of curiosity, we like to tell about a prospective boat-buyer, who in 1972 was torn between buying a Mistral 33 from the Hallberg yard or a Rasmus 35 from the Rassy yard. The Rasmus had centre cockpit and the Mistral had aft cockpit. He asked a salesman at Hallberg’s why he should choose the Mistral: "As the boat has an aft cockpit you do not risk water splashing into an aft-cabin" was the answer. The prospective buyer later went to the Rassy yard to look at the Rasmus. The following discussion took place: Prospective buyer to Mr Rassy: - Why not a boat with an aft cockpit, so you do not get water splashing into the aft cabin? - Who recommends that? Mr Rassy asked. - The people at Hallberg’s at Ellös. - They will never say that again . - Why not? - I bought the Hallberg yard this morning. A Rasmus was ordered. This boat has the same happy owner to this day. And by the way; the water does not splash into the aft-cabin! Trendsetters The first new design under the name of Hallberg-Rassy was the Monsun 31, which was created in 1973. The boat proved a great success, and 900 were built up to 1983. To meet the demand the area of the yard was doubled in 1975. The next design was the HR 41. This quickly became a trendsetter. This was the first boat with a proper walk through to the aft-cabin below deck. The basic principle for the layout, though greatly improved, is used to this day. One can question if this is due to routine or if this represents the optimal interior design of a centre-cockpit boat. On further study it becomes rather evident that this is indeed an optimal design. The HR 41 had free passage from stem to stern below deck in one level. The galley was placed at starboard by the stairs, out of the ways from any passer-by, providing safety at sea and providing full headroom in the whole galley. The chart table on the opposite side was generous and with a real seat in the boats heading direction.  Further the HR 41 was a long distance vessel with the keel and rudder separated, and among other things a blue brim around the cockpit, which was slightly elevated, to give room for the passage below deck. The size of the boat and the outfitting was spectacular for its time: Pressured water, heated water, shower, electric anchor winch, headsail furling system, two separate heads, a powerful engine, solid and elegant wooden interior and gracious lines. All this is basic, though very much improved, to this day. 105 "HR 41" were built during a short but intense period from 1976 to1979, a few were also built until 1981. HR 38, designed in 1976/77, was also a trendsetter with the same interior concept, though a higher freeboard, and was the first boat with the characteristic blue stripe around the hull. The HR 352 from 1977/78 was a substantial sales success, with more than 800 built until 1989. This was the first time a designer had managed to combine, in a 35 foot boat, a walk through to the aft-cabin with spectacularly elegant lines. HR 352 offered large- boat characteristics at a moderate price. When reading an ad for the HR 312 from 1979, one is reminded of the HR 31 from 1997; "The new fast long distance cruiser. It is easy to recognize the new HR 312, by its contemporary lines and the design which has become characteristic for yachts from Hallberg-Rassy; an elegantly laid teak deck, a modern and easy to handle rig, ample elbow-room inside and exquisite woodwork." 700 HR 312s were built up to 1991. The HR 49, which arrived in 1982, was with its 15 meter hull an imposing flagship for the Swedish boat industry.

In 1983, 16-year old Magnus Rassy built an experimental boat named "Rassker". The hull was built in high tech aramid fibre and Divinycell. This was the first boat built at Hallberg-Rassy to feature an external lead keel and a retrussee stern with a bathing platform. The hull length was 26 ft and the boat won many races. In 1985 two armchairs were built in to the saloon of a HR 49. This was something no one had seen on a yacht before. Now you can find similar solutions on boats built by yards all over the world, but no armchairs are as comfortable as the original ones by Hallberg-Rassy. In 1987, another boat designed by Magnus was built, the 35 feet "Rassker Magnum". Also this boat was racing very successfully. These two boats were nothing for Hallberg-Rassy to put on the market, but a good preparation for future developments.

The one of boat "Rassker" from 1983

Today, many of the features are used in the production boats. The Rassker boats provided many new ideas for future Hallberg-Rassy models, as well as offering ideas on what they should not look like at the same time. For instance the importance of a proper, deep bilge and an easy to handle rig became evident. In 1987 HR purchased its first computerised woodworking machine, a CNC-milling machine. Parts could now be cut with an heretofore unheard precision, waste was minimized, and the level of quality further enhanced.

In 1987 Hallberg-Rassy also purchased a factory, which for many years had functioned as a subcontractor for the GRP hulls. Since 1987 Hallberg-Rassy Marinplast AB is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hallberg-Rassy Varvs AB. HR is one of the few yards that has full control over the complete construction cycle, both wood and GRP works. Hallberg-Rassy Marinplast has never built hulls for anybody else than Hallberg-Rassy, in spite of rumours to the contrary.

One of the five work shops of the laminating division Hallberg-Rassy Marinplast

Germán Frers, Naval Architect

In 1988 Hallberg-Rassy began a successful co-operation with Germán Frers (pronounced Herman Frers) from Argentina. Frers is as well known for his Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup designs, as he is for drawing cruising yachts with elegant lines. This co-operation has resulted in a new generation of sail-boats, which combine the Hallberg-Rassy renowned good qualities like sturdiness, seaworthiness, comfort, safety, and fine wood-work; with unsurpassed sailing characteristics. Several victories in the ARC over the Atlantic shows that a modern cruiser does not have to be lacking in performance. Germán Frers has so far made sixteen designs for Hallberg-Rassy, in chronological order the HR 45, HR 36, HR 34, HR 42F, HR 39, HR 31, HR 53, HR 46, HR 62, HR 43, HR 40, HR 37, HR 48, HR 342, HR 54 and now the new HR 372. So far Hallberg-Rassy has delivered 8,800 yachts, whereof Frers designed 2,800. Mr Germán Frers

Hallberg-Rassy today

Everything started 65 years ago in Sweden. Today Hallberg-Rassy yachts are delivered all over the world. There are Hallberg-Rassy ambassadors in the very cold areas of the world as well as in tropical heat. Many of the features that help to protect against the cold, work just as well protecting against the heat and intensive sunshine. For example the wind screen with sprayhood canopy or the insulated hull.  A Hallberg-Rassy is dedicated to world wide cruising. The success confirms that the Hallberg-Rassy concept is right. The last few years’ business for Hallberg-Rassy includes orders from Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and the USA. Today's bestseller in terms of number of boats is the Hallberg-Rassy 342, but in turnover there are several other models equally important. The company is to 100 % owned by the Rassy family. The Hallberg-Rassy group is since 2003 headed by the second generation; Magnus Rassy. We have never been into financial troubles and we have delivered every yacht on time.

Welcome to the yard

The main Hallberg-Rassy yard is situated at Ellös, an hour by car north of Gothenburg. Here you will find road directions to the yard. We build around 170 fine yachts a year to customers all over the world. GRP work is undertaken by the subsidiary company Hallberg-Rassy Marinplast, which is located in Kungshamn, itself an hour's drive north of the main yard. The GRP factory works solely for the needs of our boatyard. Hulls are outfitted and completed in our own harbour at Ellös, ready for delivery. Office hours are as follows: Monday to Thursday 7.00 - 16.30 hours Friday 7.00 - 13.30 hours Breakfast break 09.30 ~ 10.00 hours Lunch break 13.00~13.30 hours Holiday 2009: July 13th ~ August 7th Here you will find the address and phone number. In Hallberg-Rassy's sales organisation we all speak English, German and Swedish. You are very welcome to visit us, by land or sea.

Each year on the last weekend in August we have an "open house" weekend. On these occasions we present our whole product range in the water and in the works. During the day we have a variety of activities and on our Saturday evening a special program combining a meal and a special presentation. Details on request.

© Copyright Hallberg-Rassy Varvs AB www.hallberg-rassy.com 1996 - 2008