The Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk I has been built in 150 units from 2001-2007. She has won Yacht of the Year in Germany, Best Midsize Cruiser in the USA, Best overall Cruisingboat in the USA as well as Top 10 in the US and Import Boat of the Year in Australia 2006. The Mk I was followed by the Mk II version and later the 43 Mk III.
The 43 has all the typical Hallberg-Rassy benchmarks. It goes without saying that this is a well-built blue water cruiser. The interior floor is all in one level, there is a seagoing galley, a windshield, a rubbing strake to the hull, big engine, generous tankage and timeless beautiful lines with a natural grace.
Europe's largest sailing magazine, Yacht from Germany, issue 21 2001, tested the Hallberg-Rassy 43:
"The sailing performance is excellent. The rudder reacts almost without any delay when steering and you get the feel of a considerably lighter boat. There is hardly a comparable saloon that breathes such a generous feel. Here you have elbow space without end. All in all the new HR 43 fulfills the high expectations she carries. The new HR 43 is one of the prettiest boats ever built by Hallberg-Rassy. You will like this Germán Frers design instantly. You will have to search for a long time to find anything like her."
When the 43 was introduced in 2001, Germán Frers said:
The Hallberg-Rassy 43 represents an evolution of earlier models, specially the HR 42F.
Compared to the earlier design the first thing that becomes apparent is the relatively longer waterline thus a slender hull. This longer waterline would bring immediate improvements in speed and sea-kindliness.
The hull construction follows Hallberg-Rassy's current and well proven practice of building solid bottom layup and cored topsides and decks for very good results in strength and longevity.
Compared with the 42F the interior layout has been improved, adding a separate shower on the forward toilet, good headroom in the walk-through to the aft cabin and overall polishing of details and layouts.
I expect the Hallberg-Rassy 43 to become a classic in her range and style with very good sailing capabilities and volume inside. Clean uncluttered decks and a well protected cockpit, typical of the Hallberg-Rassy Line.
| Designer | Germán Frers |
| CE category | A - Unlimited ocean voyages |
| Hull length | 13.57 m / 44' 6" |
| Waterline at rest | 11.75 m / 38' 7" |
| Beam | 4.08 m / 13' 5" |
| Draft, empty standard boat | 2.00 m * / 6' 7" * |
| Displacement, empty standard boat | 12.7 T / 28 000 lbs |
| Keel weight | 4.5 t / 9 950 lbs |
| Keel type | lead on deep bilge |
| * Also available in a 30 cm more shallow draft version |
| Sail area with jib | 92.9 m² / 1000 sq ft |
| Sail area with genoa | 108 m² / 1162 sq ft |
| Engine make | Volvo Penta |
| Engine types | TMD22, D2-55, D2-75 |
| Power at crank shaft for D2-75 | 55 kW / 75 HP |
| Diesel tank | 395 litres / 104 US gallon |
| Fresh water tanks | 650 litres / 172 US gallon |
| Transport height without windscreen | 3.89 m / 12' 10'' |
| Transport height with windscreen | 4.30 m / 14' 2'' |
