Design and Construction
Frers gave the 310 a fine entry at the stem with a hollow bow that fills out to maximum beam at the companionway, and the hull itself is hand-laid fiberglass with a closed-cell Divinycell core above the waterline and solid laminate below. The deck is also cored but retains solid laminate in load-bearing areas, and the deck is bonded to the hull anchor prior to the interior installation, a method the builder describes as giving an unbeatable torsional stiffness. Below the mast base a steel beam runs down to the stiffening grid beneath the cabin sole, while the lead keel is attached to the keel stub by nine M20 stainless steel bolts. The deck-to-hull joint follows the yard’s long-established practice of laminating the connection heavily on the inside rather than relying on bolts or adhesives for primary strength.
Typical Hallberg-Rassy cues are present: a windscreen, integrated rubbing strake, blue stripe, brass rubbing strake and sumptuous finish, with a teak-capped toerail whose rainwater is drained in hoses under the waterline to prevent streaks on the hull side. Sturdy mooring cleats sit on top of the toe rail, and the open transom — sealed at sea with a drop-in acrylic washboard with cutaway drains — gives easy access aboard.
Rig and Handling
The 310 carries a fractional, deck-stepped Seldén rig with two sets of sweptback spreaders, and the top and lower shrouds are separated to individual chainplates to clear the side decks and improve sheeting of the slightly overlapping genoajib or optional self-tacking jib anchor. A split backstay with a 24:1 tensioning system is standard, the mainsheet is 6:1 on a cockpit-wide 4:1 traveller, and all control lines including genoa car tweakers lead aft to Lewmar 16 halyard winches or Lewmar 40 primaries. A Code Zero or gennaker may be flown between the masthead and a removable bowsprit, extending sail area from 508 square feet standard to 768 with a square-top main and Code Zero.
On the water, test sailors found her gloriously responsive, easily controlled and well weighted. In a gusty 16–20 knots she made 5.6–6.5 knots upwind at 30–32 degrees to the breeze; beam-reaching in 21–28 knots with full jib and double-reefed main she logged 7.1–9.1 knots and surfed to 9.9 on six-foot swells. The rudder loses its grip at about 30 degrees of heel, but gives plenty of warning. She has proved her speed by winning her category among 68 boats in the Tjörn Runt, the world’s largest inshore race.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon sits relatively far aft, which makes it sensationally long and wide for the boat’s size; the elimination of the chart table — thanks to modern on-deck navigation gear — opened a more spacious salon and additional locker space. Both the L-sofa and straight settee are a full two meters long, and the interior is bright and unusually roomy for her length, with fourteen light inlets including four skylights (two in the saloon) and nine opening portlights the size of the HR 43 Mk II. Locker doors are flush with invisible hinges.
The galley does not break the flow through the boat, and someone working there does not block access to the aft cabin. It has deep double sinks, a fridge with organizing basket, and a solid Corian countertop. The aft cabin holds a berth 206 cm long (6 ft 6 in by 4 ft 6 in wide end), with two opening portlights and a hanging locker; the forward cabin has a 6 ft 5 in by 5 ft 6 in double berth, its own vanity and hanging locker, and 5 ft 11 in headroom. The head has been moved forward and enjoys excellent ventilation via opening portlight and skylight, the latter fitted with milk-coloured glass for privacy and light.
Equipment and Power
The standard engine is a three-cylinder Volvo Penta D1-20 of 19 horsepower with a 115-amp alternator, carried in a boat with 26.5 US g of diesel and 52.8 US g of water plus a 13.3-gallon holding tank. The test boat reviewed by Yachting Monthly instead had a 22 hp Yanmar with a three-blade Gori prop on saildrive, cruising at 2,300 rpm for 5 knots standard or 5.9 overdrive, and reaching 6.9 knots flat out in standard mode.
The Verdict
The Hallberg-Rassy 310 is a thoughtfully evolved small cruiser that trades the older 31-foot layout’s beam for a longer waterline and a stiffer, reportedly quicker hull without sacrificing the marque’s hallmark finish and ocean-capable construction. She is genuinely easy to sail short-handed, roomy below for her length, and proven on the race course.
Pros
- Laminated hull-to-deck joint and cored construction above the waterline for torsional stiffness
- Separated shrouds and all-control-lines-aft rig for easy deck passage and short-handed sailing
- Unusually spacious, bright saloon with eliminated chart table and full-length settees
- CE category A with proven speed (Tjörn Runt class win)
Cons
- Rudder loses grip at about 30° heel, demanding attentiveness when overpowered
- Standard engine modest at 19 hp; some boats delivered with different propulsion
