Beneteau First 35 vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau First 35 | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 2004–2009 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Farr Yacht Design | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.68 m (35.0 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.45 m (11.3 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 100 L (26.4 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 180 L (47.6 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau First 35 and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau First 35 is a 2000s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The Beneteau First 35 was penned by Farr Yacht Design. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the Beneteau First 35 measures 10.68m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.45m, 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 2.47m longer than the Beneteau First 35. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 109% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau First 35 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.89 and 61.0 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 Beneteau First 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau First 35 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). 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 34.6% for the Beneteau First 35 and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau First 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L of water capacity and 100L 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 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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 Beneteau First 35 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: Beneteau First 35 · 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II