Frauscher H-Boat Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used Frauscher H-Boat means entering the world of a 1967 Hans Groop one-design that has been built in excess of 5,000 units and still races across Europe and beyond. These 27-foot Baltic keelboats reward the sailor who wants class-circuit competition or light-air lake sailing over enclosed-head comfort, and the used fleet reflects that original brief.
Layouts on the Used Market
The H-Boat's below-decks plan is camping-grade rather than cruiser-grade. A V-berth forward, two saloon side bunks, and a portable toilet under the entryway with a modesty curtain define the accommodation; headroom is sitting-only. A rainy weekend at anchor with four aboard means taking turns moving around below. On deck the cockpit splits via a mainsheet arch into trimmer and helmsman sections, with foot straps for hiking and a self-bailing sole — a layout oriented to a 3-to-4-person racing crew rather than a family cruiser.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Used H-Boats often carry a symmetrical spinnaker and teak decks, both frequent on the brokerage market. Beyond those, the boat's large Danforth anchor stows aft in the lazarette with chain kept in the bilge for weight distribution, and deck mouldings already exist for a windlass and hawse pipe — a meaningful upgrade path for anyone tired of the anchoring fuss. The deck-stepped mast and trailerable 1,450 kg hull mean rigging and road transport stay simple regardless of fitted gear.
What to Inspect
The class carries a few foibles worth checking. The outboard operation is awkward and owners report the current engine arrangement does not make the boat easy to control in port anchor, so verify the motor mount and steering access. The lack of a furling headsail is standard, but inspect the battened jib and large main for age. A wet ride is characteristic, so examine cockpit drainage and the self-bailing paths; anchoring remains a bit of a faff with the aft-lazarette Danforth stowage, and a windlass retrofit should be confirmed if claimed.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The H-Boat used market centers on Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, where light-air lake sailing suits her. For a shopper, the checklist is short: confirm one-design class papers and IHA standing, inspect the outboard control and cockpit drainage, verify spinnaker and teak-deck condition, and accept the portable-toilet privacy limit before committing.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Frauscher H-Boat. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 8 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 25 | 2 | $24,903 | — |
| Sep 25 | 1 | $10,364 | -58.4% |
| Nov 25 | 1 | $30,389 | +193.2% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $24,187 | -20.4% |
| Mar 26 | 3 | $17,241 | -28.7% |
| May 26 | 1 | $7,442 | -56.8% |
| Jun 26 | 3 | $19,797 | +166.0% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $18,632 | -5.9% |
Where they're listed
Frauscher H-Boat listings appear across 3 countries. Switzerland has the most listings with 8 (72.7%), followed by Germany and Austria.
Country view
11 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $19,660 | 8 | 2 | 72.7% |
| Germany | $15,080 | 2 | 1 | 18.2% |
| Austria | $18,632 | 1 | 1 | 9.1% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hallberg-Rassy 310 | 30.91' | $ 173,512 | 23 | 3 |
| Stäheli Altnau H-28 | 26.94' | $ 13,543 | 13 | 2 |
| Frauscher H-BoatYou are here | — | $ 18,632 | 11 | 4 |