Are Hallberg Rassy Boats Still Worth The High Price?

Hallberg Rassy boat models have a worldwide reputation for solid construction, superb finishing, and signature seaworthiness.

They have been building yachts since 1972, and their boat-building history and product development have been passed down through the generations of this family-owned company.

In addition, Hallberg Rassy is known for its extremely high standards and only uses the best quality materials and components available. These include high-quality resins and composites, superior crafted teak decks, their signature glass windscreens, and a higher spec of fixtures and fittings than other brands.

Hallberg Rassy boats also handle superbly and sail well on the high seas. They have been designed and built to easily handle strong wind and wave conditions that would make other brands head for port.

Despite the brand’s looks evolving over the years, a Hallberg Rassy is still immediately recognizable, whether it is a new boat or decades old. Plus, Hallberg-Rassy has classic lines that will never go out of style.

Here’s Why Hallberg Rassy Boats Are Worth their High Price:

Sailors and cruisers consider Hallberg Rassy sailboats in the top-tier production boat-building world. Each Hallberg Rassy is individually built by expert craftsmen using hand-crafted techniques, so they are not ‘mass-produced’ in a factory on a production line.

How Much Exactly Do Hallberg Rassy Boats Cost?

New boat prices for Hallberg Rassy are difficult to establish as each boat is built to order, and no two boats are identical.

Even the highly respected Nada Guide does not have new boat prices for Hallberg Rassy boats listed on their website.

New Hallberg Rassy boats are offered as POA (price on application). While the hulls come as standard, they also come with semi-customed keel configurations, propulsion options, wood finishes, upholstery, sail wardrobes, and optional navigation packages.

However, second-hand boat prices for Hallberg Rassy yachts are widely available. When writing, a quick internet search found that Yachtworld.com has 111 Hallberg Rassy boats listed for sale.

The boats offered by Yachtworld.com start from $17,449 for a Hallberg Rassy 26 built in 1979 and go all the way up to $1,957,000 for a Hallberg Rassy 57 built in 2019. The Hallberg Rassy 57 comes with all the bells and whistles needed for long-distance cruising and has been meticulously maintained.

Please note that, unlike the car industry, there is no standard or’ book price’ for second-hand boat models.

Each boat should be looked at individually, and attention should be given to how well the boat has been maintained, the inventory, the age of the electronics, the hours on the engine, and the general all-around condition and ‘feel’ of the boat.

Do Hallberg Rassy Boats Cost More Than Similar Brands?

Similar brands to Hallberg Rassy include Amel, Hylas, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, Oyster, and Nautor’s Swan. These yachts are all considered to be premium brands, as well as blue-water capable cruising yachts, strongly built, and simple to sail while still offering a high level of comfort. However, these boats do come with high prices.

But do Hallberg Rassy cost more than these similar brands? For new boats, prices are difficult to compare as no data is readily available.

Due to each brand’s various semi-custom options, new boat prices are difficult to establish.

So let’s take a look at comparable models on the second-hand market:

Boat Brand	Size	Year	Price
Hallberg Rassy	42	1988	$180,666
Amel	39	1986	$125,000
Hylas	42	1986	$91,591
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey	42	1993	$80,296
Oyster	46	1985	$159,000
Nautor’s Swan	43	1986	$108,901

[Info courtesy Yachtworld.com]

While comparing boats is a bit like comparing apples and pears, according to today’s available information, Hallberg Rassy yachts quite clearly cost more than similar brands regarding similar years and models. However, the overall price will come from the boat’s condition, inventory, and location.

Why Do People Choose Hallberg Rassy Over The Competition?

Potential boat owners choose Hallberg Rassy over the competition because Hallberg Rassy yachts are some of the best-built boats available.

Most people will dream of owning a Hallberg Rassy. Hallberg Rassy boats are known to be sturdy, well-constructed, comfortable, and stylish.

They have a well-protected cockpit and beautifully finished woodwork, plus they have a powerful engine for the boat’s size and both large-capacity water and fuel tanks.

Do Hallberg Rassy Boats Keep Their Value Better?

The price comparison we did above shows that for a +/-40′ yacht, the Hallberg Rassy keeps its value better than other models. However, is this true across the board?

While the company has gone through 3 different eras of design, all of the Hallberg Rassy models have a good reputation for being extremely seaworthy and of good quality.

All of the models, whether old or new, have retained the Hallberg Rassy trademark blue hull stripes and glass windscreen built around either a center cockpit on larger models or an aft cockpit on the smaller ones.

These signature features make a Hallberg Rassy instantly recognizable in any marina or on the water. Together with their reputation for quality, all help Hallberg Rassy yachts keep their value better than most other brands in the second-hand market.

What Are Typical Alternatives To Hallberg Rassy Boats?

In addition to the brands mentioned above, other typical alternatives to a Hallberg Rassy yacht include Passport Yachts, Island Packet, Tayana, and older Moodys.

However, they are all considered sea-kindly, strong, and comfortable ocean-going yachts that you can either live aboard or cruise quite comfortably and safely on.

In addition, if you don’t have the budget to stretch to a Hallberg Rassy or one of the similar premium brand yachts mentioned above, then typical or more affordable alternatives can include Beneteau, Bavaria, or Catalina. These brands offer proven ocean-going models but are not of the same superior quality as a Hallberg Rassy.

Do You Pay Full Price, or Do Dealers Offer Discounts?

For new Hallberg Rassy boats, people will typically pay full price. While Hallberg Rassy is classified as a production boat, its boats are made to order and are not mass-produced like some other brands.

Production boats fall under this category when the boat manufacturing company uses a single basic mold for the hull of each boat. However, once the mold is created, it can be used to create many different boats using various building methods.

As Hallberg Rassy falls into the semi-custom build category, their boats are individually built to order, so you will have to pay full price.

However, you may be able to negotiate a discount with your Hallberg Rassy dealer for a particular option you want to include. This may be for a navigation package or a bimini, or any other additional extras you want to have.

Looking for a Hallberg Rassy boat in the second-hand boat market is typically better if you want to negotiate a discount or get a bargain. Depending on their circumstances, the seller may have more room to accept an offer.

Final Thoughts:

Hallberg Rassy has been a family-owned business producing high-quality, ocean-going yachts since 1972.

There is no doubt that the company has a proven track record.

So, if you are in the market for quality blue water cruising boat and have the budget, you can’t go wrong with a Hallberg Rassy yacht.

Sources:

Hallberg Rassy Bluewater Yachts

Yachtworld.com/Hallberg Rassy Boats For Sale