The 62 won the German Yacht of the Year award in the over-50-foot class, based on votes from 40,000 readers of Yacht magazine. It was also named the most popular model across all categories—and was the only boat to receive more than a third of the votes. Cruising World later named it Import Cruising Boat of the Year 2006.
At just under 62 feet on deck, this is a substantial long-distance cruiser. It carries a CE Category A rating for unlimited ocean voyages.
Design and Construction
Frers’ influence is clear in the high-performance, well-balanced, strong hull of moderate draft. The designer described it as the product of years of shared experience between the yard and his office.
The hull shell is built from hand-laid woven roving saturated with isophthalic polyester resin and finished in gelcoat. Above the waterline, a Divinycell PVC foam core provides sound and thermal insulation; below the waterline, the hull is solid laminate. Longitudinal and athwartship stiffeners bonded into the bilges distribute the loads from the mast and keel.
The 24,250-pound lead keel is secured by fourteen M36 stainless steel bolts, all visible and accessible from the deep bilge. The deck is a foam-cored GRP sandwich, while the hull-to-deck joint uses an overlapping GRP laminate bond intended to keep water out without relying on through-fasteners.
A rubbing strake with a stainless steel strip runs the length of the hull. The 14 mm slow-growth teak deck is glued in place. Sources differ on the yacht’s beam, with one giving 16' 11" including the rubbing strake.
Rig, Machinery, and Handling
Despite its size, the 62 was designed for a cruising couple to manage. Its efficient, easy-to-handle sail plan supports that aim.
A three-spreader, deck-stepped Seldén mast carries hydraulic furling systems for the mainsail, genoa, and staysail. The yacht also has a hydraulic boom vang and backstay, managed from the cockpit through push-button controls at the helm. Buttons on the steering pedestal raise and lower the anchor and set and sheet the sails. Here, “push button sailing” describes a standard feature rather than a slogan.
Auxiliary power comes from a Perkins M225Ti producing 225 hp at the crank. This 6.0-liter, six-cylinder engine develops 700 Nm of torque and drives a two-geared, three-bladed folding propeller with overdrive. The yacht makes 8.2 knots at a low 1,300 RPM.
The semi-balanced GRP rudder turns on a 100 mm stainless steel shaft supported by three cast-bronze bearings. Steering is through a Cardan link system.
Cockpit and Deck
The center cockpit is generous and well protected, with good all-round visibility. Its floor and seats are teak-grated, and self-bailing scuppers handle drainage. Owners could choose a hardtop or soft top, each with an opening center section suited to conditions ranging from extreme cold to tropical heat. A three-pane safety-glass windscreen, with an opening center pane, sits forward of the helm.
Deck equipment includes dual bow rollers and a 30 mm stainless steel pushpit. Boarding gates are fitted to port and starboard, with another gate at the transom. The yacht carries 16-inch mooring cleats forward and aft, plus 12-inch midship cleats, to make handling easier.
Double lifelines run between stanchions mounted through the caprail without penetrating its underside.
Accommodation
The interior sole remains level from bow to stern, making it easier to move between the three or four cabins available in the two layouts. The accommodation is finished in teak with silk-smooth satin varnish. A solid teak-and-holly sole rests on rubber cushions and has flush lifting rings.
The saloon is notably light and airy. Large opening side windows, opening skylights, and fifteen large Lewmar Ocean windows bring in daylight and ventilation. A wraparound lounge and central double seat accommodate eight adults around the teak table. Outboard cabinetry is vented and incorporates additional storage.
To port, Hallberg-Rassy’s signature captain’s seats fold inboard to expose more lockers, including storage for wine and barware. Grabrails and fiddled surfaces are positioned where a hand naturally falls.
The engine room is reached from the aft passageway. It is massive, with enough space for a person to stand or sit while reaching every major machine.
Fuel capacity is 425 gal, while the water tanks hold 412 gal.
Verdict
The Hallberg-Rassy 62 is a thoughtfully engineered flagship that combines Frers’ balanced hull with a systems layout designed to make a 62-foot yacht unusually manageable. Its level sole, vast, light-filled saloon, and stand-up engine room reflect a builder focused on liveaboard cruising rather than show. The awards it received also confirm the yacht’s reception among serious bluewater buyers.
Pros
- Push-button sail and anchor controls at the helm make short-handed operation more manageable
- Stand-up engine room provides access to every major machine
- Foam-cored topsides and deck provide insulation, while the hull remains solid laminate below the waterline
- Level interior sole and bright, well-ventilated accommodation in three- or four-cabin layouts
- CE Category A rating for unlimited ocean voyages
- 425 gal of diesel and 412 gal of water provide capacity for serious range
Cons
- With only 25 built, availability is limited by the size of the production run
- Teak decks and extensive hydraulic systems imply ongoing attention from the owner
- Moderate 8'2" draft restricts access to some shallow cruising grounds
