The Swedes' new ship, the Hallberg-Rassy 44, will be on show for the first time at the 2017 Düsseldorf trade fair (20 to 27 January). This was announced today by shipyard boss Magnus Rassy. You can rely on him, because he has always met his deadlines. Hallberg-Rassy is now returning to the market with a completely newly developed ship - a positive surprise.
Of course, the plans for the new HR 44 were once again drawn up by in-house designer Germán Frers from Argentina. However, he will probably have spent a little more time at the drawing board for this project. The boat is characterised by a whole range of new features compared to its predecessor, the HR 43 MKIII (test in YACHT 13/14). For example, the boat now has a permanently attached bowsprit for a gennaker or code zero. The trunk also serves as an anchor holder and as a step for boarding and disembarking.
Another new feature is a large tailgate as a bathing platform. The Swedes in Ellös were previously only able to offer this convenience for their large HR 55 and 64 models. Nevertheless, the new Hallberg-Rassy will continue to bear the typical shipyard DNA. The centre cockpit concept with the fixed windscreen and the characteristic blue stripes will therefore remain.
The hull shape has changed significantly. On the new HR 44, the bow stem now drops almost vertically and the stern has become significantly wider. You can even start to recognise chine edges on the rear hull. However, these remain rounded and therefore visually inconspicuous. The wider stern requires double rudder blades, a novelty for HR products and for yachts with a centre cockpit in general. This is now 2.29 metres long and therefore significantly longer than on the 43. In addition, the sheets and halyards are now routed aft within the cockpit coaming and within direct reach of the helmsman.
The HR 44 has a high, powerful sail plan with a short overlapping genoa. The upper shrouds are on the outside of the hull, the lower shrouds on the inside of the cabin superstructure. This ensures a clear passage to the foredeck. And a self-tacking device for the jib will be available as an option.
Customers will be able to choose between different layout variants for the interior fittings. In addition to the standard U-shaped galley on the starboard side, the galley can also be ordered as a long row in the passageway to the aft cabin on the port side, as on the larger sister HR 48, for example. An alternative layout provides for an additional guest cabin with two berths one above the other in the foredeck. And for the aft extension, you can also choose between a large central island bed or two berths attached to the side.
Hallberg-Rassy has also already announced a price for the HR 44: In the usual high-quality equipped basic version, the new ship will cost 570,880 euros at the current exchange rate, including 19 per cent VAT.
