The 57 was nominated for European Yacht of the Year 2019 in the Luxury Cruiser category, while Yachting World described it as arguably the best-looking Hallberg-Rassy to date. From its workmanship and equipment to its sailing ability, it is a world-class cruising yacht.
Design and Construction
The 57’s hull and deck are hand-laid, with Divinycell foam coring for sound and heat insulation and solid glass where hardware is mounted. Forward of the mast, the deck is flush, clean and uncluttered. All hatches are flush-mounted, and the low-profile cabin top provides excellent visibility of both the sails and the surroundings.
Rather than being bolted on afterward, the integral bowsprit is laminated as part of the hull and deck. The hull also has an integral rubrail. Differing curvatures in the outer coachroof and inner ceiling eliminate the need for a garage over the sliding hatch.
The all-lead keel has a heavy bulb and a low centre of gravity. It weighs 9.9 tons and is bolted onto a deep bilge for strength and comfort. The standard keel draws 8 feet, while a version 38 centimetres shallower is also available. Empty displacement for the standard yacht is 28 tonnes. Its 9.9-tonne keel and beam carried aft allow more living space below.
Rig, Steering and Sailing Performance
The 57 is the first centre-cockpit Hallberg-Rassy built with twin wheels. Its twin-rudder arrangement comes from the successful 44 and 340. Each rudder blade runs on dual self-adjusting bearings, providing easy steering in all conditions.
The modern rig requires no runners, even when carrying an inner heavy-weather jib. Cap shrouds and lowers lead to separate chainplates, and a powerful hydraulic backstay tensioner is standard. The headsail uses a push-button, under-deck Furlex TD furler. Its small overlap makes tacking easier, and a self-tacking arrangement is available.
Hydraulic in-mast furling, powered winches, an optional hydraulic main outhaul and optional hydraulic push-button halyard adjustment allow the crew to roll the mainsail and slightly overlapping genoa in and out at the touch of a button.
Sittbrunnen.se reported excellent contact in the steering, with clear rudder pressure and wonderful course-keeping. Yachting World found the 57’s sailing qualities superb for a centre-cockpit design and recorded 8 to 8.5 knots upwind in a Force 4. The builder claims that a loaded 57 will make 8.75 knots at a 90-degree true-wind angle in just 10 knots of breeze.
Cockpit and Deck Layout
The cockpit is large and deep, measuring 2.90 metres long. Twin wheels flank a fixed, drop-leaf table between the teak seats. A stainless-steel brace extends for support when the yacht is heeled, and Hallberg-Rassy’s signature windshield protects the forward end of the cockpit.
The anchor winch is hidden below deck, as is the jib furler. A sun deck is integrated into the aft-cabin roof, and the bathing platform folds out at the push of a button.
Storage is exceptional, totalling 10,000 litres. It includes a deck-locker cabin ahead of the V-cabin, an anchor locker, a cockpit locker, a large aft locker, two side aft lockers and a forward sail locker.
Interior and Accommodation
Below, the interior is spacious and striking. A single-level sole makes moving around easier and safer, both at sea and in marinas. Cabin-top and hull ports bring plenty of light into the living spaces, while the joinery is available in mahogany, bright European oak or teak, all with clear-varnished horizontal grain.
The saloon has its dining table to starboard, with an L-shaped couch and centreline seating. To port, a long settee can be replaced by captain’s chairs. A full-size, forward-facing navigation station sits near the companionway beside a wet-gear locker.
The forward and starboard cabins are very large for a yacht of this size, with generous berths and storage. The V-cabin is comfortable enough to serve as a second owner’s cabin. A guest cabin with a berth and an upper bunk sits forward of the saloon. Farther forward is a third stateroom with an island queen berth and hanging lockers; the far-forward cabin has options for a Pullman berth or bunks.
The aft cabin is wide and airy. On the boat visited, it had a king-size centreline berth and an en-suite head and shower, giving it king-worthy comfort. Twin berths are optional.
The seagoing galley provides extensive worktop space, along with a Miele induction stove, dishwasher, microwave and second deep freezer.
Machinery and Electrical Systems
A broad door opens into a walk-in engine compartment. Careful sound insulation sits behind perforated aluminium panels. The space houses a low-RPM Volvo Penta D4-175, a 17.5 kW low-RPM generator and an AquaDrive flexible coupling. It also has 24-volt lighting, with 230-volt fluorescent lighting available as an option.
Most equipment runs from a 24-volt system supplied by an enormous lithium battery bank. Together with the watermaker, this arrangement provides more than 1,000 miles of range.
Verdict
The Hallberg-Rassy 57 distils the marque’s ocean-voyaging philosophy into a Frers-designed hull that sails far above expectations for its centre-cockpit class. It is a proper luxury voyager: manageable by a short-handed crew, yet built for unlimited ocean passages. Redundant systems support that role, while the interior has the finish of fine furniture.
Pros
- Twin-wheel, twin-rudder centre-cockpit layout with superb steering feedback
- Push-button hydraulic rig and powered winches make short-handed sailing easier
- Walk-in, sound-insulated engine room with a 175-hp Volvo and 17.5 kW generator
- Striking, light-filled three-cabin interior with a single-level sole and king-size aft berth
- 10,000 litres of deck storage and a CE Category A unlimited-ocean rating
Cons
- Standard 8-foot keel restricts shallow-water cruising unless the shoal option is chosen
- Heavy 28-tonne displacement requires wind for its best performance
- Extensive hydraulic and lithium systems demand disciplined ownership
