ULTIMATE REFINEMENT

This latest Hallberg-Rassy is a near masterpiece. German Frers has once again sprinkled his fairy dust over the design, conjuring up a modern hull shape that will continually surprise you with the volume it provides, yet one with enough character and thoroughbred sailing credentials to make it identifiable as one of a family line which spans five decades. And he’s incorporated an accommodation plan which appears to use every inch of this shape.

The renowned Swedish yard meanwhile has refined the deck and interior package to the nth degree. The result is a Hallberg-Rassy that is as contemporary in hull design, appendages, and sailing systems as it can be for its particular market sector, while maintaining that traditional, dignified Swedish style.

I found myself being drawn back to the HR50 time and again during our European Yacht of the Year trials last autumn. And although the sailing is once again a first class experience, much of the appeal is in the evolution and pure refinement of the layout. The space has been used so intelligently it’s almost impossible to find fault.

Step below decks and it feels more like a 55-58 footer in fact, and could well pinch sales from that sector. Compared to the old Hallberg-Rassy 55, for example, this is actually 50cm longer at the waterline, has more overall beam, which is carried aft to give over a metre more beam at the transom.

Magnus Rassy, who was aboard for my two sails and various visits, has been preaching the benefits of modern hull shapes