The extra space is utilised in several areas below deck to provide greater freedom of movement, storage space and comfort. The target audience is crews who do not require the classic two-cabin layout, but who value a more spacious main cabin and a more relaxed life on board.
Fore section: More berths, more storage space
In the fore section, the berth is moved further aft, making it larger overall. The fore berth is moved further aft, thereby gaining in both width and length. The front end increases from 58 centimetres to 98 centimetres, and the rear end from 200 to 220 centimetres. The headroom at the rear of the berth increases from 1.79 metres to 1.86 metres. Storage space is increased in several areas. An additional storage compartment has been created between the berth and the anchor locker. This is particularly practical for couples planning long voyages, as equipment and provisions are more easily accessible and can be stowed away more effectively – without the saloon becoming a temporary storage area. The changes affect almost every area below deck.
Bathroom: Now with a separate shower
The biggest change in the new version of the Hallberg-Rassy 340 This concerns the wet room. The length increases from 1.11 metres to 1.63 metres. The floor area more than doubles. A separate shower with an acrylic glass screen can now be fitted there. A storage cupboard for oilskins is situated in the wet room near the companionway. The wet room has a window that opens and a skylight for ventilation.
Salon and galley: compact dimensions, a noticeable impact
The saloon and galley have also been refined: the seating and work areas are slightly longer, but above all, there is more space to move about in the passageway. The length of the sofa in the saloon increases from 2.00 metres to 2.02 metres. The galley is extended from 1.57 metres to 1.64 metres. The shortest floor length aft of the forward berth increases from 30 centimetres to 82 centimetres. All of this contributes to ‘living comfort whilst underway’ – in other words, precisely the area that, on a 34-foot boat, determines whether you feel at ease or cramped. The galley retains its seaworthy layout, complemented by a high-quality, robust worktop and practical fittings (including generous refrigeration, depending on the configuration).
Cockpit, steering system, deck: designed for ease of handling and everyday use
On deck, Hallberg-Rassy has opted for a tidy layout with clear walkways and practical line management. It is also interesting to note that the 340 is now (optionally) available with two steering wheels, whilst the tiller remains the standard option. The yacht also features a twin-rudder system, which is designed to provide a controlled, well-balanced steering feel, particularly in stronger winds and when heeling (according to the shipyard).
Light and ventilation: a homely atmosphere below deck
Below deck, the ‘Edition Two’ showcases its advantages not only in terms of space but also in terms of atmosphere: additional windows and hatches, as well as elements that open, improve air circulation and bring more natural light into the interior. This is less about ‘show’ and more about genuine comfort – particularly in the north or in changeable weather, when you tend to spend more time below deck.
The twin-cabin version of the Hallberg-Rassy 340 will remain in production
The Hallberg-Rassy 340 remains available as a two-cabin version. The ‘Edition Two’ is therefore not a replacement, but a specific alternative: fewer cabins, more space for a couple. Those who regularly sail as a couple get a 34-foot yacht that is designed to feel more spacious in everyday use, without straying from the series’ core concept.
The Hallberg-Rassy 340 replaces the 342 (see the comprehensive used boat test here), which was built 329 times over a period of 13 years. The design is by Frers Naval Architecture and Engineering. The yacht features a raked stem for a contemporary design, a long waterline and good seakeeping, with rounded shapes in the underwater section of the bow. An elegant integrated bowsprit serves several purposes. It acts as a attachment point for the Code Zero or gennaker, provides the ideal distance between the bow and the anchor winch, and allows for the fitting of a bow ladder to facilitate boarding at the bow in natural harbours or at low jetties. The classic two-cabin layout remains as the standard version.
Hallberg-Rassy impresses in the YACHT test
In the Yacht-Test magazine, the 340 proved to be both agile and easy-going in issue 20/2017. The yacht combines the best of Hallberg-Rassy with Frers’ latest design. It offers greater comfort and improved performance. It raises the bar even higher than had previously been conceivable in this boat size category.
The first Hallberg-Rassy 340 Edition Two will be unveiled at the Open Shipyard/Öppet Varv will be on display from 27 to 29 August 2027.
Technical Specifications
- Design: Frers Naval Architecture and Engineering
- CE category: A – unlimited ocean sailing
- Fuselage length: 10.36 metres
- Maximum length including bowsprit: 10.95 metres
- Waterline: 10.10 metres
- Width: 3.47 metres
- Cockpit length: 2.83 metres
- Draught of an empty standard boat: 1.90 metres
- Displacement of an empty standard boat: 5.98 tonnes
- Keel weight: 2.3 tonnes
- Keel type: lead keel with a bulge
- Standard sail area with Genoa jib: 64.2 square metres
- Mast height above water without Windex: 16.42 metres
- Engine: Volvo Penta D1-30
- Power: 21 kW / 29 PS
- Propulsion: Saildrive
- Diesel: 188 litres
- Fresh water: 277 litres
- Waste tank: 85 litres
Fridtjof Gunkel
Deputy Chief Editor YACHT
