Produced from 1977 through 1986, with 202 hulls completed, the 38 was conceived as a thoroughbred cruiser for pleasant sailing and comfortable life aboard. Hallberg-Rassy describes Enderlein’s design as perfectly balanced under all conditions and well suited to carrying a fair-sized crew and its stores on long passages.
Design and Construction
Enderlein combined a traditional long-keel form with the modern fin-keel type, along with a separate skeg and rudder. The hull is solid fiberglass. Its 8,160 lb of encapsulated iron ballast sits low in a deep bilge, without external keel bolts. The deck is also fiberglass.
High freeboard and a low superstructure provide good interior volume and a large deck. The boat measures 38 feet overall, with a waterline length of 31' 2", a beam of 11' 5", and a displacement of 18,740 lbs. By its displacement-length measure, the 38 falls into the heavy-cruiser category.
The finish reflects traditional craftsmanship. Mahogany and teak are used throughout the interior, which the manufacturer describes as a masterpiece.
Rig, Handling, and Power
The Hallberg-Rassy 38 is a masthead sloop. It carries 651 sq ft of sail area with the jib and 76.8 m² with the genoa, while the mast rises 14.0 m above the water.
The manufacturer claims the boat is perfectly balanced under all conditions. Its ballast ratio is 44%, and its motion comfort ratio has been measured in the 33.8–39.7 range. A wetted surface of roughly 398 sq ft and an immersion rate of about 1,240 lbs per inch point to a substantial hull designed to carry cruising loads.
Under power, the Volvo Penta MD 21—a 55 HP, four-cylinder diesel with direct drive—has pushed the boat to a recorded 8.3 knots. That is above the theoretical 7.5-knot displacement maximum for a boat of this length.
Accommodations and Stowage
The interior is well laid out and finished in mahogany, with teak also used in the joinery. Saloon headroom is 6' 1", which review sources describe as above average for the class.
The accommodation includes two cabins, seven berths, a galley, and a toilet facility. High freeboard and the low coachroof profile create useful volume below. Hallberg-Rassy also emphasizes the plentiful stowage for provisions and personal belongings, along with a water capacity of 400 litres. Diesel capacity is 350 L.
The boat’s displacement and volume allow it to carry what a fair-sized crew needs for sea passages, a point the builder makes explicitly when describing the design’s purpose.
Refits and Ownership
Also known as the HR 38, the boat represents a distinct generation in Hallberg-Rassy’s Enderlein-era production. Its solid-glass hull and encapsulated-iron keel simplify inspection and repair relative to cored structures.
The traditional mahogany-and-teak interior rewards careful maintenance but is otherwise a known, stable commodity among cruising sailors. Buyers should also account for the boat’s age and its period systems.
The Verdict
The Hallberg-Rassy 38 is a purposeful Enderlein cruiser that trades outright speed for sea-kindly motion, interior volume, and traditional joinery. Its solid hull and encapsulated iron keel are straightforward to own, while the 55 HP Volvo Penta provides a useful power margin.
This remains a heavy-displacement cruiser, so buyers should understand its sailing character and plan their sail inventories accordingly.
Pros
- First Hallberg-Rassy to carry the blue hull stripe, giving it clear marque lineage
- Solid-fiberglass hull with encapsulated iron ballast in a deep bilge
- Well-laid-out mahogany-and-teak interior with 6' 1" saloon headroom
- 44% ballast ratio and comfort-range motion metrics for offshore use
- 400 L water and 350 L diesel capacities for long passages
Cons
- Heavy-cruiser displacement-length ratio limits acceleration in light air
- Only a few hundred were built; it is a closed, older generation with period systems
