At 37ft 3in overall and 16,500lb displacement, the 372 is comparatively light for her length. The yard itself favors center-cockpit and heavier boats for bluewater sailing, yet the 372 is more than capable of crossing oceans.
Design and Construction
Frers gave the 372 a relatively full stern and a fairly flat run aft for improved performance offwind. Forward of the keel, the hull section is nearly semi-circular to smooth the ride upwind in a chop.
The hull is solid laminate below the waterline and has a closed-cell foam core above. Two full-length, foam-cored longitudinal stringers provide stiffness, along with a half-bulkhead below the forward berth and laminated beams beneath the sole. A stainless steel beam laminated into the hull spreads mast-compression loads.
The deck is hand-laid GRP, foam-cored except for solid laminate in high-load areas. The deck-to-hull joint is laminated together and capped with teak, with the stanchions and cleats bolted through it. The lead keel sits beneath a semi-balanced spade rudder carried on a solid stainless steel stock with self-aligning bearings. A small, non-structural skeg regulates propwash flow.
The insulation proved effective enough that no condensation formed despite a 25°C temperature difference.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
The 372 carries a three-spreader, fractional Seldén rig. A jib is used instead of a genoa for simpler tacking, while a removable stainless steel bowsprit accommodates a furling gennaker. Her ballast ratio of 38.7 percent suggests that she’s stiff enough to carry laminate sails made with Elvström’s EPEX system.
Steering feels connected, thanks to the rudder’s grip and a Lewmar direct-link transmission. The seat-level mainsheet track, just forward of the binnacle, gives precise control but restricts walk-around space behind the wheel.
Under power, the standard 55hp Volvo Penta D2 produces 7.4 knots at 2,200rpm and 8.3 knots at 2,900rpm. The optional three-blade Gori folding propeller adds an overdrive pitch setting, which delivered 7.6 knots at 1,700rpm. The boat turns within her own length going forward and nearly as tightly astern.
Cockpit, Deck, and Accommodation
Below, the saloon has 6ft 3in headroom, bright sideports, and large hatches. Its table seats four to six people.
The forward cabin has a 6ft 9in by 6ft 5in berth. Headroom drops from 6ft 2in to 5ft 10in when the night screen is in place. In the aft cabin, the 6ft 8in by 4ft 7in double berth offers enough room to sit up comfortably.
The galley provides good bracing on either tack and views through opening sideports. It includes an Isotherm fridge of sensible depth and a freezer mounted on runners outboard of the sinks. In the heads, a plexiglass panel folds out to form a shower enclosure.
Storage includes a huge starboard cockpit locker, quarter lockers, a gas locker beneath the helmsman’s seat, and a transom hatch.
Equipment and Systems
Engine and windlass controls are mounted on the binnacle, while foot studs operate the bow thruster. Optional electric Lewmar 40 secondary winches and Lewmar 46 primaries ease sail hoists.
A Furuno MFD8 plotter on the binnacle runs NavNet3D, and the Cambus switch panel combines functions. The fuel tank and two water tanks are beneath the settees, with a third water tank under the sole. This arrangement keeps all 11 keel bolts accessible.
Master battery controls, including a dead man’s switch, are beneath the starboard hanging locker. The transducer has its own access panel in the cabin sole.
Maintenance, Refits, and Ownership
Engine access is good. The gas-strutted companionway steps lift for access from above, and the engine can also be reached through the aft cabin after removing a shelf.
A screw head in the deep keel stub allows the bilges to be drained from outside after washing them while the boat is on the hard. The companionway’s large, unvarnished teak steps provide good grip, with handholds nearby.
The non-standard Gori propeller and EPEX laminate sails are the main owner-upgrade paths worth verifying on any example. Careful inspection should also cover the foam-cored structure and any owner-fitted propulsion options.
Verdict
The 372 is a thoughtfully modern Hallberg-Rassy. She’s light on her feet for the marque, well insulated, and engineered for shorthanded control without giving up shelter or ocean capability.
Pros
- Full-stern Frers hull with a flat aft run and an easy upwind section
- Stiff, well-insulated construction with accessible keel bolts
- Precise, connected steering and tight turning under power
- Bright, roomy accommodation with a practical galley and useful storage
Cons
- Seat-level mainsheet track restricts movement behind the wheel
- Gori overdrive propeller and laminate sails are non-standard extras
- Fiddly gas switch beneath the two-burner stove and oven
