1979 Islander 36 vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
1979 Islander 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 Islander 36 | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Islander | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Alan Gurney | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 54.2 m² (583 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 Islander 36 and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 Islander 36 is a 1970s design by Islander from USA, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1979 Islander 36 was penned by Alan Gurney. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1979 Islander 36 measures 10.97m (36.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, 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 2.18m longer than the 1979 Islander 36. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 81% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 Islander 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.06 and 54.2 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 1979 Islander 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). 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 42.9% for the 1979 Islander 36 and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 Islander 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L 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 1979 Islander 36 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1979 Islander 36 · 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II