Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31

Here’s a tour of the H-R Monsun 31 posted by an enthusiast on youtube.

 
Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31: Makes the short list?

We’re looking now just at the specs, pricing et al here for the Monsun only as our overriding goal is to get cruising.
 

A long forefoot cut-away keel (as opposed to a fin and skeg design) is supposed to be better suited to cruising in that – among other things – it’s a lot more resilient to running aground*. And the Monsun has the cut-away keel.

We could expect the fin and skeg with the Hallberg-Rassy 31 MkI, MkII and H-R310, on the other hand, to produce better upwind and racing performance – but this is not our goal. So. Focusing on the goal…

Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31

Specs**

LOA: 30 ft 9 in

Beam: 9 ft 5 in

Draft: 4 ft 7 in

Tanks fuel: 120 litres/32 US gallons

Tanks water: 160 litres/43 US gallons

Displacement: 4,200kg/9,250 lbs

Pricing***

32yrs – £ 19,500 ($ 31,196)

32yrs – $ 47,585 (£ 29,750 )

33yrs – $ 30,556 (£19,104)

33yrs – $ 52,038 (£ 32,533)

35yrs – £ 33,357 ($ 53,349)

37yrs – $ 28,750 (£ 17,974)

37yrs – $ 60,484 (£ 37,812)

38yrs – $ 42,554 (£ 26,603)

Hallberg-Rassy built its 904 Monsuns during 1974 – 1982.

Criteria Match

Pluses

• meets our LOA requirement
• good beam
• the highly praised hard windscreen/dodger – keeps you warm(er) and dry(er)
• holds its value
• blue water tested – several Monsuns have circumnavigated
• tiller – simpler steering system, less to go wrong
• everybody raves about them – as they do about Swedish boats in general 
• ‘Hallmarks of good design and quality work is how well these boats hold up over time… sail incredibly well.’ — 1Vagabundo, Sailnet boat reviews 
• good value, age well – and since they are so old, they are priced attractively

Minuses

• ‘As the boat was never intended as a liveaboard, the galley is small, with a single sink, space for a two-burner stove, and an icebox.
• Tankage is limited…
• The main shortcoming… is lack of headroom, about 5’10” in the main cabin…’ — ByrSac, Sailnet boat reviews

Comment

Looks like it’s going to be tough to find 60-70 gallons of water tankage originally built into any 30 footer design… but we’ll keep looking.

Decision

Do we want such an old boat? Guess it depends on each boat individually. It looks like they age well. And the pricing is attractive. 

For now, the Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31 definitely makes the short list.

Have you ever sailed (or owned) this type of boat?

What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?

 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Yacht Designs

Next: What about a Catamaran? 

Previously: Hallberg-Rassy 31 Footers – Overview

 

* Capable Cruiser, by Lin and Larry Pardey

** Data taken from Hallberg-Rassy websites 

*** Data taken from yachtworld.com and theyachtmarket.com 

Hallberg-Rassy 31 Footers: Overview

Hallberg-Rassy 31:  Makes the short list?  

The yard at Hallberg-Rassy currently produces an H-R310 but has discontinued its other 31 footers: the Monsun 31, 312, 94 Kutter, 31 Mk I and 31 Mk II. All the Hallberg-Rassy 31’s were designed by Germán Frers and built at the H-R yard in Sweden*. 

The Hallberg-Rassy website says they made 904 of the (most popular) Monsun design (which is a LOT), and 2,145 of all 31 footers – but no breakdown for how many was made of each of the other models. I can’t find owner feedback in the forums on the H-R31 Mk I or Mk II, although the Mk II was produced for 16 years*. 

This famous yard is still happily in business and providing original spare parts to all its models, always a helpful factor*.

Feedback on 31 footers in the Hallberg-Rassy series

Hmm. Once again I find mostly rave reviews about this class of boat and a few piddly negatives. Pretty solid feedback. Either we are working from a can’t-lose list of recommended blue water models or all boat owners love their boats blindly, oblivious to flaws.

‘After 35 years, she is in remarkably good shape: no blistering, no deck delamination, no gelcoat crazing…’ and ‘…excellent engine and shaft access through the cockpit sole, a foredeck anchor well, H-R’s trademark windshield, raised bulwarks, and heavy duty deck hardware’ but ‘…main shortcoming, in my opinion, is lack of headroom, about 5’10” in the main cabin’. – ByrSac, Sailnet boat reviews on HR Monsun 31****

‘Biggest downside for extended cruising is mainly that you are living in a boat designed for the cruiser’s of a simpler time… you won’t find a convenient place for that big 6,000 watt generator or any place to stuff a microwave, washing machine, or whatever else electrically dependent cruisers come up with. – 1Vagabundo, Sailnet boat reviews on HR Monsun 31****

‘…spirited but secure, comfortable… impeccably built and, because of the name, sure to hold her value’. This reviewer also points out there is no chart table. Instead you get an extra hanging locker and a roomier galley. — Cruising World mini-review September 2009 on the new H-R310**

Overall

We prefer the lines of the old H-R31 Mk II so far. Just looks sleeker somehow. Handsome teak on deck and it has an extra 17 inches of beam (vs the Monsun) – we like beamy boats for a spacious feeling and just that much better storage.

I guess most buyers would rely on GPS and not really need the chart table that is absent in the H-R310. And there’s always the main saloon table to spread out on for chart work (which we plan to do regularly) that’s bigger anyway. I don’t expect there will be too many of this model on the second-hand market yet as it hasn’t been out long.

Hope to see some examples of any of the Hallberg-Rassy series boats at the Boat Show next year, if not sooner!

Next post

We’ll cover the specs, price examples by age, the pluses and minuses versus our dream boat criteria and decide if a Hallberg-Rassy 31 makes the short list in the next post (though, hey, it’s lookin’ good…) Stay tuned.

Have you ever sailed (or owned) this type of boat?

What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?

 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

* Data taken from Hallberg-Rassy websites

** Data taken from Cruising World website

*** Sailnet boat reviews
  
Yacht Designs 
Next: Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31

Bristol Channel Cutter 28

Bristol Channel Cutter 28 : Makes the short list? 

Highlights

The Bristol Channel Cutter 28 was designed by Lyle Hess and built by Sam L. Morse Co.*

Unfortunately the Sam L. Morse Co. went bust in 1997**, despite the ongoing popularity of the Bristol series boats. This is not generally a good thing from a holds-its-value point of view.

Holds its value

However, it seems the Bristol Channel Cutter 28 is now being made again by Cape George Marine (they also make other ‘Cape George’ Cutters, but only the Bristol Channel Cutter 28)***. 

So add this to the Bristol Channel Cutter 28’s long history of ongoing popularity and maybe there won’t be too significant an impact on resale value going forward. They are hard to find for sale.

Owner Feedback

According to owners posting at Sailnet commenting on all models of the Bristol, the designs optimise use of space, with tons of storage. Construction is meant to be to a very high standard.

‘…if there is a downside to the BCC (BCC 28) it’s her abundance of exterior woodwork that needs maintenance to keep it looking sharp’ – Boat US Review, May 2005 *****

I can’t find any owner reviews that have too much negative to say about any models in the Bristol series. One comment at the Sailnet boat reviews about slight pumping due to a deckstepped mast on the Bristol 29 – but I’ve also seen mention that some other models are keel stepped. Guess it depends. Overall, great reviews.

 

Bristol Channel Cutter 28


Specs****

• LOA: 28 ft 1 in
• Beam: 10 ft 1 in
• Draft: 4 ft 10 in
• Tanks fuel: 121 litres/32 gallons
• Tanks water: 242 litres/40+24 gallons
• Displacement: 6350kg/14,000 lbs

Pricing****

• 4yrs – $ 280,000 (£177,676)
• 11yrs – $ 175,000 (£111,085)
• 24yrs – $ 99,900 (£63,411)
• 30yrs – $ 117,500 (£74,582)
• 30yrs – $ 89,900 (£57,063)
• 61yrs – $ 30,000 (£19,042)

Criteria Match

Pluses

• meets our LOA requirement
• good beam
• reasonable tankage – at least the most I’ve seen so far in this length category…
• holds its value!
• blue water designed, tested and a popular design series
• tiller – simpler steering system, less to go wrong
• massive storage – same as on a much longer boat
• no ‘interior liner’ so nearly the whole interior is accessible for maintenance***** 
• extra strong construction and attention to detail by the builders
• everybody raves about them
• reports on Sailnet for all the Bristol series boat reviews say that they sail beautifully and are well balanced

Minuses

• of course, because it holds its value… it’s expensive
• has a lot of wood trim inside and out which means high maintenance. If you’re prepared to put in the work, you’ll be proud, tired and happy. If you want low maintenance, this may become quickly a big drag. Depends if you gets addicted to the varnish fumes or not, I guess. For us, probably not a plus.
• foresail changes means going out on the bow sprit
• is the cockpit comfy? Mahina****** comments indicate maybe it’s not the comfiest in his opinion. Worth checking out to see how we feel about it.

Decision

The Bristol Channel Cutter 28 definitely makes the short list. Hope we can find a chance to volunteer to crew on one soon!

We will also investigate the ‘second series’ Bristols within our length criteria: the Bristol 27.1, 28.1, 29.1, 30.1, 31.1 and maybe the 32.1.

Have you ever sailed (or owned) this type of boat?

What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Yacht Designs

Next boat design we’ll look at: Halberg-Rassy 31
Previously looked at: Southerly 32

* bristolchannelcutter.org 

** wikipedia

***  Data taken from Cape George Cutters website

**** Data taken from yachtworld.com
*****samlmorse.com 
******mahina.com

Southerly 32 in Action!

It looks even better on the move!

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)

Yacht Designs

Next we’re looking at: Bristol Channel Cutter 28
Previously: Southerly 32: Makes the short list?

A Visit to the Red Tabby Yacht Club

  

Captain’s Log

Star Date 20111011

Today the First Mate and I made an arduous journey to an intriguing foreign outpost: the Red Tabby Yacht Club. The Can Opener has insisted that our taking on membership here will be good for both of us. I do not see how as most members are tomcats.

The Can Opener countered that Pussy Galore had recently joined as a member. Hmm, maybe. He also said there is a bar with endless whiskey and where they hand out free catnip. So count me in.

I donned my cape and sceptre, and off we went.

And whaddayaknow, the Can Opener was… right! 

The Red Tabby sits in a kind of modern building that overlooks a park with an artificial pond in it about the size of a water bucket. I was perplexed to note that this appeared to be a yacht club with no yachts.

Apparently they scatter the boats about the countryside where there are good winds, particularly to the south.

On the up side, however, it has not one but two well-stocked bars. Also a restaurant, some meeting rooms and… a library! Stocked with endless tales of the sea. I could snooze there on stacks of sailing books – for years! I shall certainly install the Can Opener here for its inspirational qualities as he studies for all the exams I have put on his training list.

We also met a few locals as, after a snootful of prime quality bar catnip, I used the leg of an old-ish chap as a springboard while racing round the front entryway in my euphoria. I scaled his trouser leg (fine wool gabardine, great for gripping with my finely sharpened nails), ricocheted, skidded across the Welcome Desk and bounced into some admin office at the back.

I was back again at the old guy’s leg in a shot, as he had scooped for his home journey the last pocketful of catnip from the bar and I was determined he should share.

The old tom who styles himself ‘Prince Somethingorother’ (obviously some sort of cliché rock and roll stage name) seemed momentarily outraged. 

But as he had had a fair snootful of the catnip himself (and good quality it is too), we were soon arm in arm on the bar lounge sofa crooning ‘Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats’ to the assembled bar crowd for the remainder of the evening. (He was a solid tenor, probably lead singer for his old band.)

So, kudos to the Can Opener! Looks like the Red Tabby Yacht Club will be a key part of our plan after all. It promises to fill the ‘Get Social’ part of my ‘Big Plan to Get Cruising’ admirably.

And maybe Pussy Galore will even turn up as a member here too.

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener) 

The Red Tabby Yacht Club
Next: Going to a Cruising Dinner

Next: Team Racing 
Previously: The Plan to Get Social

How Much Boat? – Country Entry Fees vs Boat Length

 
Part 4 (of 4) of  How Much Boat? – Boat Fees vs Length
 

Another cost check – country entry fees vs boat length

Customs of various countries can ask for boat ‘entry fees’ upon arrival. While researching marina fees in the Bahamas, I found that the Bahamas charges $150.00 for boats up to 35 feet to enter the country, and the fee for boats over 35 feet is $300.  


Which got me thinking… is 35 feet a common price change point? Does this happen often enough to shop for boats that are 34 feet long or less? Or is there another ‘price change point’ based on length?

Not a deal breaker I guess… but if every country – or a lot of countries – does/do this, then it could add up.

So after checking fees info at noonsite.com, here are a few samples of reported charges by customs at various country entry points:

Europe

France

• Tolls are due on waterways – no info as to whether or not it is based on length

Spain 

• Harbour fees are charged in most ports – no info as to whether or not it is based on length

Ireland

• annual dues for Irish and British yachts is £86
• other yachts pay £29 for each period of 30 days up to a total amount of £86

Caribbean

Anguilla

All yachts must pay for a cruising permit  – sample pricing:

• up to 5 tons – 1 week – $150
• 5 to 20 tons – 1 week – $600 
• over 20 tons – 1 week – $900

Bahamas

• charges $150.00 for boats up to 35 feet
• fee for boats over 35 feet is $300

Dominican republic

• clearing in – $43.00 per boat
• tourist Card per crew member (valid 30 days) – $10.00

St Kitts & Nevis

• customs charges EC$20

Turks & Caicos

• clearance fee is $15
• there is also a charge of $75 for the cruising permit

North America

Canada

• at St John’s, overtime is charged for customs clearance between 0000-0800, approximately Can$60 if arrival is after midnight
• otherwise, it looks like mostly ‘no’.

USA

• yachts without a cruising licence and longer than 30 ft (9 m) LOA must pay an annual fee of US$27.50
• other fees vary by state but none seem to be based on the length of the boat

South Pacific Islands

Fiji

• cruising permit: FI$5
• Lau Group Permit: USD10 per day
• health clearance fee of $F33.75 (to be paid to the hospital)
• F$20 incineration fee to Agriculture (Quarantine) for disposal of prohibited food – payable even if you have none
• a fee if entering any of the ports of Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka – vessels up to 100 tonnes pay a maximum of $F14.45

New Caledonia

• no fees

New Zealand

• charge for time and mileage to inspect boats
• there are fees for visas and extensions to the visitor’s permit
• fees for quarantine inspections

Conclusion

So… nope. No correlation here between length and country entry charges levied after all. Which I guess is good news. Looks like the Bahamas is an outlier. It was worth a quick check to be sure.

Had there been consistently higher charges for boats over 35 foot length (or over 30 foot in length, etc), it could have been a real incentive to look for a boat specifically measuring 29.5 feet long, or 34.5 feet long etc.

But no ‘common price change point based on length’ to be found. 
  


The biggest constraints on length

It looks like the biggest constraints for us on ever-increasing length are:

• increasing costs per foot for just about everything else – mooring fees, haul outs, repairs and maintenance, insurance…
• increasing power with greater sail area – we want to keep the length down so that it remains well powered for solo sailing

Can you think of any other constraining factor that might persuade someone to choose a boat juuuuuust on the right side of some criteria or other? Let me know.

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener) 


Previously:
How Much Boat? – Annual Marina Fees vs Length, Part 3 (of 4)   
How Much Boat? – Daily Marina Fees vs Length, Part 2 (of 4)  

How Much Boat – Marina Rates vs Length, Part 1 (of 4)

* All fees data from noonsite.com

Southerly 32

 

Southerly 32:  Makes the short list? 

Highlights

Swing Keel

The key differentiator for the Southerly series is its swing keel that allows it to reduce its draft to 2ft 4in – good for anchoring and manoeuvring in shallow depths. We like this. Apparently you can even make reasonable ground to windward with the keel up.

Owner Feedback

The Southerly has a reputation for being immaculately constructed – the swing keel construction is described as ‘bomb-proof’ by one owner-engineer posting on Sailnet forum. The electric hydraulic pump to raise the keel is also backed up by a lever-operated manual pump.

According to owners posting at the Southerly Owners Assocation forum online, the design optimises use of space. It has a reputation for construction to a very high standard. 


I can’t find any owner reviews that have too much negative to say about this design – except that it is expensive. Notably, one comment said bow thrusters are a must due to the twin rudder system. This could be a weakness. What if the thrusters give out while docking in poor conditions? What’s the backup? Overall, great reviews though.


Holds Its Value
Another big positive is that the model and boatyard are still in production/ producing. Sounds like a boat that will hold its value.


We can hardly wait to see one at the Boat Show this winter!

Specs*

• LOA: 32ft 9in
• Beam: 11ft 10in
• Draft keel up: 2ft 4in
• Draft keel down: 6ft 11in
• Tanks fuel: 137 litres/30 gallons
• Tanks water: 165 litres/36 gallons
• Displacement: 7192kg/15,855 lbs

Pricing**

• New – ?   ( …makes my fur stand on end just wondering.)
• 5yrs – ? 
• 10yrs – ?
• 15yrs – ?
• 23yrs – £46,000 ($71,180)
• 26yrs – $59,900 (£38,715)

There aren’t too many second hand Southerly 32’s listed for sale online. I can find the two for sale as listed above (as Southerly 100’s) and the Southerly 32 is shown at the Northshore site. Has this model been continuously produced? Or has it been released only recently? It’s not clear from their website.

Criteria Match

Pluses

• 32 feet LOA
• good beam
• holds its value
• blue water designed, tested and 
• a popular design series

Minuses

• expensive

Decision

The Southerly definitely makes the short list. And to keep to our own ‘boat criteria’ (27~32ft LOA), we are sticking to the Southerly 32.

Have you ever sailed (or owned) this type of boat?

What do you think? Would you buy this boat (or buy it again)?

 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener) 

Yacht Designs

Next: see the Southerly 32 in Action!

*  Data taken from Northshore website

** Data taken from yachtworld.com, apolloduck.co.uk, boattrader.com

<Update: we have sadly taken the Southerly 32 off our short list for now.

After reading John Vigor’s “The Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat”, we realise that a narrower boat is a better choice for one we’ll be taking on heavy duty ocean crossings. A boat will right itself more quickly if it’s relatively long and thin in the event of a capsize.


The Southerly’s beam is appealing for its addition to living space but seaworthiness is our primary concern for our first voyaging boat. 

Therefore the Southerly moves to our long term list – for now. When we are older and turn our focus more to coastal sailing, the Southerly will be a hot contender then.>

 

Cruising Design Criteria

The real list of yacht design criteria for the boat o’ my dreams stretches longer than my crystal decanter-ed whiskey collection.

‘Start simple, refine options later,’ said the Can Opener as he re-stoppered my Lagavulin 16 Year Old and moved it to the top shelf.

Here is our working draft that survived the Can Opener’s brutal revisions.

Key Criteria*

The yacht should be:

1. 30 feet LOA or less for
1. lower acquisition costs
2. lower running costs
3. good for solo handling
2. as wide as possible – good beam for storage
3. specifically designed for blue water travel with a track record of durability and storm safety
4. a design that remains popular over time with a large active fleet
5. a design that holds its value – to maximize costs recouped upon resale

* Note: the stark and unnecessary absence of ‘5 appliance galley with deep freezer’, ‘ship that can sail backwards in time’ and ‘costuming area’ from the list above. The Can Opener can become downright feisty when he’s in one of his efficiency frenzies. No matter. I will wear him down. The deep freezer one day soon will be mine…

Any other must-have yacht design criteria to add?

What yacht design would you choose for blue water cruising?

 

–Captain Cat

(transcribed by the Can Opener)