1980 Peterson 34 vs 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Peterson 34 | 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Peterson | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1980–1986 | 2005–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Doug Peterson | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.1 m² (550 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Peterson 34 and 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1980 Peterson 34 is a 1980s design by Peterson from USA, while the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1980 Peterson 34 was penned by Doug Peterson. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1980 Peterson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is 0.89m longer than the 1980 Peterson 34. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 displaces approximately 44% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Peterson 34 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.26 and 51.1 m² of sail area. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, with an SA/D of 16.44 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1980 Peterson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Peterson 34 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 43.5% for the 1980 Peterson 34 and 40.0% for the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Peterson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 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 1980 Peterson 34 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: 1980 Peterson 34 · 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37