Hallberg-Rassy 29 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 29's hull form is deliberately conservative: a moderate long keel and skeg-protected rudder that was already considered conventional at launch but has since proved its worth across four decades of hard use. The narrow beam — well under three metres — sacrifices interior volume for sea-kindliness, and the trade is a sound one. The Lloyds-certified hull carries a solid GRP lay-up with a foam-sandwich deck and coachroof for weight reduction and insulation, while the hull and deck joint overlaps and is topped with a smart teak capping. Most significantly, the cast-iron fin keel is fully encapsulated in GRP, meaning it cannot fall off and is entirely shielded from corrosion — a detail that speaks to the yard's long-term thinking. Structural honesty pervades the laminate: the Swedes used too much rather than too little material, so there are no strength problems to worry about, and the PVC foam deck core prevents moisture from migrating through the sandwich even if teak deck joints eventually open up.

Rig and Sailing Characteristics

What most distinguishes the HR 29 from her contemporaries is the rig. Instead of a masthead arrangement, Rassy and Enderlein opted for a 7/8 fractional rig with swept spreaders — unusual for cruising yachts at the time. The swept spreaders eliminate the need for running backstays, and the fractional configuration allows the mainsail to carry much of the tuning work, so there is no need to deal with overly large and unwieldy genoas. In practice, the boat is stout and conservative, with an easily handled sailplan, and from 25 to 30 degrees of heel she is very stiff and can cope easily with strong pushes.

In genuine wind the 29 is a revelation. In Force 5-6 conditions she carried full main and Genoa II upwind without too much rudder pressure, and a regular production example placed third in the 1989 Round Britain Race — only ten minutes behind second place, with both first and second being purpose-built racers. One owner survived Force 9 conditions off Dorset while 25 boats participating in Cowes Week events were simultaneously dismasted in the Solent. The flip side is equally honest: below 4 Beaufort the boat becomes sluggish and the temptation to reach for the ignition key grows. Off the wind she is a little slow, as you might expect from so much wetted surface and her ample displacement — a compromise any serious bluewater sailor will accept willingly.

Accommodations

Below decks the 29 delivers more than the hull volume implies. Headroom is just under 1.8m (5ft 11in), usable throughout the saloon. The teak joinery exudes warmth and quality that makes her downright cosy at anchor, and it is remarkable how much usable storage and living space is hidden in the slim hull — drawers and lockers appear in the galley, saloon, heads, and under the forward berth.

Two interior configurations were offered. The standard arrangement provides four berths across the forecabin and saloon, a chart table to starboard, and full-depth cockpit lockers aft. The alternative adds a quarter berth to starboard, useful for offshore passages but at the cost of a separate forecabin. The L-shaped galley contains a gimballed cooker with two burners and an oven, a large cool box, and a deep sink. The chart table faces outboard and sits opposite the galley across the companionway; without the quarter berth, there is generous room for instruments and stowage all around it. Ventilation is a genuine limitation — none of the saloon portlights open, and the boat can grow warm in tropical anchorages. No shower is fitted as standard, a meaningful gap on extended passages.

Known Issues

The 29's durability record is genuinely impressive, and typical weak points are few and specific. The single classical weak point is play in the lower rudder bearing on the skeg — structurally harmless but chronically annoying at sea. Teak deck joints open with age, though the PVC foam core prevents damage to the deck laminate and the material thickness of the teak usually permits overhaul. Gelcoat chalking is common on earlier hulls, many of which have already been repainted.

The engine history requires attention on earlier boats. Up to 1984 an MD7B with 18hp and single-circuit cooling was installed; later models received the 2002 with dual-circuit cooling, and from 1993 the 29hp three-cylinder MD2020 was fitted. Single-circuit cooled MD7B units have often reached the end of their service life, and any interested buyer should have the cylinder head dismantled to establish whether repair or replacement is the correct path.

Refit Considerations

The basic structure requires little structural remediation on well-kept examples, but several owner-initiated upgrades have become near-universal. The gas bottle originally stowed in the anchor locker has since been moved by many owners to a dedicated container aft — sensible given the vulnerability of a locker shared with the ground tackle. The original winches are not self-tailing on early boats, and adding self-tailers to the primaries is a straightforward upgrade that meaningfully eases shorthanded sailing. Some owners extend the chart table depth to accept full-size Admiralty charts. For boats with older fixed portlights, adding opening versions or supplementary Dorade boxes would address the ventilation shortfall noted by multiple testers. Engine replacement on early MD7B-equipped boats is a practical certainty rather than a contingency.

The Verdict

The Hallberg-Rassy 29 is the rare production cruiser whose reputation has only strengthened with time. The superior sea behaviour makes her feel like a larger yacht, and she could happily and safely be cruised in almost all sea conditions without worry. Her fractional rig is elegant and manageable; her build quality is demonstrably honest; and her high ballast ratio means she carries her sail without drama. For a couple wanting offshore capability in a boat that can be handled without a full crew, she remains a compelling choice among 29-footers.

Pros