1969 Ericson 35 vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1969 Ericson 35 | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1969–1976 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Bruce King | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.6 m² (523 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1969 Ericson 35 and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1969 Ericson 35 is a classic design by Ericson from USA, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1969 Ericson 35 was penned by Bruce King. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1969 Ericson 35 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 2.48m longer than the 1969 Ericson 35. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 111% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1969 Ericson 35 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.96 and 48.6 m² of sail area. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1969 Ericson 35 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1969 Ericson 35 and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1969 Ericson 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1969 Ericson 35 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1969 Ericson 35 · 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II