2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II vs 1979 Cal 39 — Comparison
1979 Cal 39
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II | 1979 Cal 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hallberg-Rassy | Cal |
| Year | 2003–2014 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II and 1979 Cal 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s design by Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden, while the 1979 Cal 39 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was penned by German Frers. The 1979 Cal 39 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II measures 13.15m (43.1ft) overall with a beam of 4.05m, compared to the 1979 Cal 39 at 11.89m (39.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 1.26m longer than the 1979 Cal 39. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 41% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.75 and 84.0 m² of sail area. The 1979 Cal 39, with an SA/D of 15.78 and 63.0 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1979 Cal 39 has a comfort ratio of 21.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II and 41.7% for the 1979 Cal 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L of water capacity and 250L of fuel. The 1979 Cal 39 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 Cal 39 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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