It is hard to decide what to like more on the completely new Hallberg-Rassy 372: the interior or the exterior. Either way, it might just be the perfect offshore couple’s boat. Because wherever it’s going, it will get there fast.

Do you prefer looks, or speed? The Hallberg-Rassy 372 delivers on both counts.



The 372 is the largest aft cockpit boat that Hallberg-Rassy builds today, and on deck it’s sleek and functional. The hull shape is new with a shallower canoe body, a deeper fin keel with bulb, a fuller transom, and a nearly 34’ waterline—all of which suggest she’ll be notably faster than her 37’ predecessor. And perhaps even faster than her 40’ cousin.

The fractional rig includes a deck-stepped Selden mast with triple aft-swept spreaders. It’s three feet taller than the mast on the old Hallberg-Rassy 37 and carries a large, non-furling mainsail. A barely overlapping genoa is standard with a self-tacking jib as an option. The furling drum is concealed belowdeck, as is the windlass and a removable bowsprit for the optional gennaker.

The cockpit is well-laid out, with two sets of winches on the coaming separated by shallow line-lockers. The step-through transom leads to a small built-in swim platform, and a bit of protection from spray is provided by Hallberg-Rassy’s trademark windscreen.

Two things about the cockpit are a bit odd: the traveller cuts through the cockpit just ahead of the wheel, which is more suggestive of a race boat than a cruiser, and provides for end-boom sheeting. Also, the varnished teak cabin top by the companionway doesn’t make sense, given the kind of gear that will be tossed there and potentially damage all that pretty varnish.

Below deck, the interior is bright thanks to the five flush-mounted hatches and eight opening ports. The U-shaped galley to port has a two-burner stove and oven combo, Isotherm refrigeration, double sinks, and an optional pull-out freezer.

To starboard is a large forward-facing nav station and a head with separate shower. The saloon has a U-shaped settee to port and a straight one to starboard, separated by a drop-leaf table that folds down when not in use. The master cabin is forward with a V-berth; aft is a double cabin with stand-up headroom and plenty of locker space. You can hardly ask for more room—or a better finish—in a 37’ boat.

Hallberg-Rassy 372 specificationsThe Hallberg-Rassy 372 is developing quite a reputation for being fast in both light and heavy air, and speeds over 10 knots on a broad or beam reach in 25 knots of wind have been reported. Upwind, the stiff boat cuts through chop as if it wasn’t there. In light air, the polars suggest six knots of speed in eight knots of wind at 60 degrees. And if the wind dies completely, the Volvo Penta 55 HP engine with Saildrive and a two-bladed Gori propeller will deliver a range from 600 to 800 nautical miles.

The base price of the Hallberg-Rassy 372 is $380,000. But that price tag might be justifiable for the best-behaving, most perfectly-proportioned 37’ on the market today. Cruising couples, take note.

For more information, visit Hallberg-Rassy.

—Zuzana Prochazka

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