Mistress 32 (Hallberg-Rassy) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Mistress 32 emerged during a transitional period for the Hallberg-Rassy marque, specifically within the "Harry Hallberg era" before the full integration with Christoph Rassy's yard in 1972. Harry Hallberg was a pioneer in the serial production of fiberglass sailboats, beginning in 1963, often combining durable fiberglass hulls with traditional wooden superstructures. The Mistress 32, with its fiberglass solid hull and deck, reflects this innovative manufacturing approach of the time.

Olle Enderlein, a prominent Swedish yacht designer, imbued the Mistress 32 with a design philosophy centered on performance, specifically targeting the popular IOR 1/2 ton racing class. This focus on speed marked the Mistress 32 as "a great exception among the yard's boats" and "very regatta-oriented," setting it apart from some of Hallberg-Rassy's more comfort-focused cruising designs. The boat's sleek lines remain attractive to this day. A total of 110 units of the Mistress 32 were built during its five-year production run.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a reported sail area of 445 square feet and a displacement of 7496 pounds, the Hallberg-Rassy Mistress 32 exhibits characteristics of a responsive and capable cruiser. Its sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 18.6 suggests decent performance in lighter air while also being well-mannered as the wind builds.

The boat's ballast to displacement ratio (Ballast/Disp) of around 0.44 is notably high, indicating a stiff and stable platform capable of standing up to a considerable amount of wind and providing a secure motion in a seaway. Complementing this, its displacement to length ratio (Disp/LWL) of approximately 288 places it firmly in the medium-heavy cruiser category. This suggests a comfortable ride in varied conditions, suitable for offshore passages, yet still light enough for an engaging sailing experience. Anecdotal evidence from its era describes the Mistress 32 as a "really fast boat," underscoring its performance aspirations derived from its IOR design brief. The boat features a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, contributing to its performance and control.

Accommodations and Layout

While detailed interior specifications for the Mistress 32 are not extensively documented in available data, it is known to have a "nice interior." Hallberg-Rassy yachts from this period are generally recognized for their exquisite Swedish craftsmanship, often featuring high-quality mahogany and other fine woods to create warm and inviting living spaces. The interior layout typically would include a V-berth forward, a head compartment, a salon with settees and a table, and a galley, providing essential amenities for cruising. The solid fiberglass hull and deck contribute to a robust structure, ensuring the longevity and seaworthiness for which Hallberg-Rassy is celebrated. Due to the era of its design and its performance orientation, headroom might be more modest than on later, more voluminous cruising designs, though specific figures are not available.