2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hallberg-Rassy | Ericson |
| Year | 2010–2017 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Sweden | USA |
| Designer | German Frers | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.08 m (39.6 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.40 m (34.1 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.82 m (12.5 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.0 m² (786 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 380 L (100.4 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 is a modern design by Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 was penned by German Frers. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 measures 12.08m (39.6ft) overall with a beam of 3.82m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 is 0.50m longer than the 1984 Ericson 38. The 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 displaces approximately 23% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.89 and 73.0 m² of sail area. The 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.73). The 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.0% for the 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 380L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Ericson 38 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 2010 Hallberg-Rassy 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Ericson 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.