2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II vs 1984 Pearson 34 — Comparison
1984 Pearson 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II | 1984 Pearson 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hallberg-Rassy | Pearson |
| Year | 2003–2014 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 20 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 500 L (132.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II and 1984 Pearson 34 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 1984 Pearson 34 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was penned by German Frers. The 1984 Pearson 34 was designed by William Shaw.
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 1984 Pearson 34 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 2.79m longer than the 1984 Pearson 34. 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 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 1984 Pearson 34, with an SA/D of 15.11 and 46.0 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 1984 Pearson 34 has a comfort ratio of 20.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II and 41.7% for the 1984 Pearson 34, 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 1984 Pearson 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Pearson 34 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II · 1984 Pearson 34