Hallberg-Rassy · Sailing yacht

Hallberg-Rassy 42E & 42F

The Hallberg-Rassy 42 is a centre-cockpit cruising yacht with a fixed windscreen, built by Hallberg-Rassy in Ellös, Sweden, in two generations that share little more than the name: the 42E drawn by Olle Enderlein with Christoph Rassy (1980–1991, 255 boats; flush teak deck, encapsulated iron keel, ketch rig at first and later mostly sloops) and the 42F by Germán Frers (1991–2001, 181 boats; bolted lead keel, double-spreader sloop with Furlex). The 42F came as Mk I (53 boats up to 1994) and Mk II with a longer transom and bathing platform (128 boats), and the HR 43 followed it. Both were sold simply as the “Hallberg-Rassy 42”, so check designer, beam and hull number before ordering parts. Every engine is a Volvo Penta: the yard lists the MD21, MD31A and TMD31 for the 42E, while the 42F had an MD31 in the 1991 brochure and the 76 hp TMD22 in every document from 1993 on. The yard keeps data sheets, specifications, wiring diagrams and sketches for both on its previous-models pages; the only 42E manual is in German (1982, shared with the 352 and 38), and for the 42F the yard points to the general instruction book of its current boats.

Manuals & documents

Most links go to Hallberg-Rassy’s pages for previous models and the files the yard keeps there; the rest lead to the yard’s parts office and two owners’ associations. We host no manuals or drawings.

Equipment & its manuals

Standard equipment as the builder’s documents list it. Boats were ordered with options and refitted since — check what is actually aboard.

ItemModelManual / pageNote
EngineVolvo Penta MD21142E: the first of the three engines the yard lists for the 42E; it gives neither the version (MD21A or MD21B) nor the yearsVolvo Penta MD21 Parts & service page
EngineVolvo Penta MD31A2,142E: standard in the specification from December 1987 and named in the yard’s data sheet: four cylinders, direct injection, fresh-water cooled with oil cooler, 46 kW (62 hp) at 3500 rpm, 8.1 knots under powerVolvo Penta operator’s manual MD, TMD, TAMD, AQAD31A and the 41A series (2001 print, scan)The engine is reached from the passage to the aft cabin, and a panel in the cockpit comes out to lift it (1987 specification).
EngineVolvo Penta TMD31142E: the turbocharged third engine on the yard’s 42E list; no power or years givenVolvo Penta operator’s manual MD, TMD, TAMD, AQAD31A and the 41A series (2001 print, scan)The yard gives no version letter: the manual linked here covers the TMD31A, while Volvo Penta lists separate owner’s manuals for the TMD31B. The engine plate tells you which one you have.
GearboxVolvo Penta MonoShift 2.4:1242E with MD31A (1987 specification): reverse and reduction gear of the Mono Shift type, 2.4:1—
EngineVolvo Penta MD313,4,542F, first boats: the 1991 brochure and the test boat of the Swedish magazine På Kryss & Till Rors (issue 1/1991) have a four-cylinder MD31 of 46 kW (62 hp); 8.3 knots under powerVolvo Penta operator’s manual MD, TMD, TAMD, AQAD31A and the 41A series (2001 print, scan)The yard’s Mk I page today names the TMD22 and says the engine stayed the same from Mk I to Mk II, so an early 42F may have either: check the plate.
EngineVolvo Penta TMD226,7,5,842F: in the 1993 range brochure and in the yard’s specification and data sheets for Mk I and Mk II: four cylinders, turbocharged, 56 kW (76 hp), two-circuit cooling, on four rubber mountsVolvo Penta MD22 Parts & service pageOur MD22 page covers the TMD22 where Volvo Penta’s lists include it. The engine’s fresh-water circuit heats the 40 l calorifier, and the engine has its own 12 V start battery.
Propeller3-blade fixed, left-hand2,7,942E (1987 specification): three blades, 15 in diameter, 16 in pitch, left-hand, on a 30 mm stainless shaft with a water-lubricated rubber cutless bearing. 42F (specification): fixed three-blade, left-hand—On the 42E the stern gland is greased from a grease gun in the engine room: often during the first hours, later about every 20 hours. A slight drip while the engine runs is normal; tighten the gland only a little, or it runs hot (1982 manual).
WinchesLewmar 52C/55C × 2 · 40CST × 2 · 8C2,142E (1987 specification): two 52C sheet winches on the ketch, two larger 55C genoa winches on the sloop; two 40CST main halyard winches (on the sloop the mainsheet also runs to them); 8C for the mizzen halyard and the main reefLewmar Ocean & EVO winches Parts & service pageThese Lewmar winches predate the Ocean range of 1992; our Lewmar page links the 1982 and 1986 service booklets for older winches.
WinchesLewmar 58CST × 2 · 40CST × 27,10,1142F (specification): two self-tailing 58CST genoa winches and two 40CST mainsheet winches, plus three mast winches for the reef and the main and jib halyards; blocks and tracks also by LewmarLewmar Ocean & EVO winches Parts & service pageThe yard’s wiring diagrams show electric Lewmar 40 CEST (mainsheet) and 54–58 CEST (genoa) winches as an option.
Windlass1000 W electric2,7,3,9Standard on both: 1000 W electric windlass at the stemhead fitting with anchor roller (42E 1987 specification; on the 42F in bronze or stainless steel, no aluminium)—The yard names no make. On the 42E (1982 manual) the chain runs out when you turn back the handwheel beside the gypsy, an overload breaker in the engine room cuts the motor, and the supplied 70 cm iron lever frees a stuck handwheel or works the windlass by hand.
AnchorCQR 45 lb / 60 lb · 60 m chain2,742E: CQR of 45 lb with 60 m of 3/8 in chain. 42F: CQR of 60 lb (27.3 kg) with 60 m of 9 mm chain—
Mast & riggingSeldén2,1,742E: deck-stepped Seldén masts over a reinforced bulkhead; ketch main mast 237 × 162 mm with two sets of spreaders, mizzen 155 × 104 mm; the sloop mast is 1.42 m taller with babystay and checkstays; 1×19 wire of 10 mm (caps, lowers, forestay) and 8 mm (intermediates, backstays). 42F: Seldén double-spreader rig with rod kicker, Hasselfors turnbuckles and two reefs in the boom—
FurlerSeldén Furlex742F (specification): headsail furling and reefing by Seldén Furlex; the yard gives no sizeSeldén Furlex Parts & service pageOur Furlex page dates the first types to 1983–1997 and the S series to 1997–2014, so the drum shows which generation a given boat has.
SailsPolyant (42E) · Elvström (42F)2,742E: Polyant, mainsail on slides in a mast track; main 33 m² (ketch) or 35 m² (sloop), working jib 35.5 or 40.5 m², genoa 58 or 60 m², mizzen 10.5 m². 42F: mainsail with two reefs and battens and a working jib in Elvström offshore cloth—
SteeringPedestal wheel, wire to quadrant2,7,9,1242E: pedestal steering with chain and sprocket and stainless wire to a heavy quadrant over 6 in sheaves, leather-covered wheel with friction brake. 42F: wire steering through guide rollers and low-friction tubes, 2.5 turns lock to lock, elk-hide-covered wheel, emergency tiller—Check wires and sheaves at least once a year; on the 42E the cables in the engine room should give about half a centimetre under moderate pressure and are tensioned at the quadrant under the aft berths (1982 manual). The yard’s 2002 comparison notes that the 42F’s emergency tiller cannot be fitted from deck.
ToiletBlake Baby (aft) · marine head (forward)242E (1987 specification): a Blake Baby in the aft head; the forward head has a marine toilet of unnamed makeBlakes Baby, Minor and Victory marine toilets: product manual (from Spares Marine, which sells the Blakes spares)
ToiletManual pump toilet × 2742F (specification): a hand-pumped toilet in each head with special non-permeable hoses, space for a holding tank in the forward head; shower water is pumped straight overboard—
HeaterEberspächer hot-air heater13,942E: an Eberspächer heater in the sound-insulated engine room (colour brochure); the warm air goes through a distributor with damper to the aft cabin and aft head and forward under the berths, with a thermostat at the chart table (1982 manual)—The yard names no type: read the heater’s plate before ordering parts.
HeaterWebasto Air Top 3500 Diesel7,12,1442F (specification): in the engine room, exhaust through the blue hull stripe, outlets in saloon, forward cabin, head and aft cabin, all but the saloon adjustable; 3.5 kW in the yard’s 2002 comparisonWebasto operating instructions Air Top 3500 / 5000 (Webasto North America)From December 1999 Webasto fitted an improved burner chamber and burner tube that spares the ceramic igniter; older heaters can be brought up to that standard at their next service (Webasto service information 907629, 2000).
FridgeIce box 180 l (42E) · Danfoss compressor (42F)2,742E (1987 specification): drained ice box of 180 litres. 42F: insulated ice box cooled by a 12 V Danfoss compressor unit in a metal housing; the yard expected 5–6 days without recharging—
StoveGas, 2 burners + oven, gimballed2,7,9Both: two-burner gas cooker with oven in gimbals; on the 42F with fiddles and locks for the oven door and for the cooker in harbour. The 42E cooker has flame-failure devices that shut off the gas about 10 seconds after a flame goes out (1982 manual)—
Gas system2 × 5 kg (42E) · 2 × 6 kg (42F)2,9,742E: gas-tight locker for two 5 kg bottles in the forepeak, drained overboard, with a continuous soft copper pipe to a shut-off valve behind the stove; the yard fitted no regulator because they differ from country to country. 42F: deck locker by the cockpit to starboard for two 6 kg bottles, safety switch on the gas pipe—Check every joint with soapy water twice a year and whenever you suspect a leak (1982 manual).
Water pump12 V pressure pump + hand pump2,7,9Both: electric pressure pump with pressure accumulator and a hand pump in reserve (a foot pump in the 42F galley); a carbon filter in a light-blue housing above the pump on the 42E, a carbon filter also on the 42F—If the water runs slowly although the batteries are fine, change the filter cartridge; if the pump keeps cutting in with every tap shut, there is a leak after the pump (1982 manual).
Water heaterEngine-heated calorifier9,742E: calorifier heated by the engine’s cooling water through copper coils (1982 manual). 42F: 40 l insulated calorifier on the engine’s fresh-water circuit—
Bilge pumpElectric automatic + manual9,2,742E: automatic electric bilge pump in the engine room (on at about 15 cm, off at about 4 cm) discharging into the cockpit drains (1982 manual); the 1987 specification also lists a bilge pump among the deck fittings. 42F: manual bilge pump plus electric emergency bilge pump, placed where it can be cleaned in bad weather—
Batteries12 V: 4 × 135 Ah (42E) · 140 Ah + 3 × 140 Ah (42F)2,7,10,342E (1987): four 135 Ah batteries, one for the engine and three for the house circuit, two main switches at the companionway. 42F (specification and wiring diagram): a 140 Ah start battery and a 420 Ah house bank of three 140 Ah batteries, a fourth house battery as an option; the 1991 brochure lists four batteries with 540 Ah—
Alternators55 A (42E) · 60 A (42F)2,9,742E: 55 A alternator charging both circuits through a double diode (1987 specification); the 1982 manual describes a standard 38 A alternator for the engine battery and an optional second 75 A alternator for the house batteries. 42F: 60 A alternator—
Shore power230 V system (option)1142F: optional 230 V system with inlet and 25 A / 30 mA residual-current breaker, sockets in the forward cabin, galley, aft cabin and at the chart table, and circuits for battery charger, water heater and microwave; generator, inverter and bow thruster appear as further options (wiring diagram, document 2)—
Fuel filterWater separator + fine filter9,2,742E: a combined water-separating and fine filter in the engine room, and a separate pump to draw water and sludge out of the fuel tanks. 42F: a large water separator and coarse filter between tank and engine, in addition to the filter on the engine—Check the 42E filter for water about an hour after refuelling, and drain it only with the engine stopped (1982 manual).
InstrumentsPlath Venus compass · engine panel2,742E: Plath Venus compass, a cockpit panel for instruments, and engine instruments with tachometer, temperature, voltmeter, oil pressure and warning lights and buzzer. 42F: illuminated compass, engine instruments in the steering pedestal, room for wind, log and depth displays above the sliding hatch—
Hatches & portsOpening alloy-framed ports2,742E: 10 mm acrylic portlights in light-alloy frames, all opening, opening skylights and Dorade vents. 42F: 13 aluminium-framed ports, 11 of them opening, 4 hatches, 4 Dorade vents and 2 automatic Electrolux ventilators—
Fire extinguishers4 (42F)742F (specification): four, at the saloon table, in the forward cabin, the aft cabin and the cockpit locker—

Specifications

Years built42E: 1980–1991. 42F: 1991–2001 by the yard’s count (the first boat was already sailed for a magazine test in November 1990); Mk I until 1994, Mk II 1994–20011,5,15,4
Hulls built42E: 255. 42F: 181, of which 53 Mk I (hull numbers 1–52 and 55) and 128 Mk II1,5,8
Versions42E: ketch at first, later also a sloop with a mast 1.42 m taller, babystay, checkstays and larger genoa winches (by the end almost only sloops); standard keel or one 30 cm shallower. 42F: Mk I with the original transom, Mk II from 1994 with a longer transom and bathing platform (hull, rig and engine otherwise unchanged); a shallower keel, a double berth aft and two armchairs in the saloon were options1,2,5,8,7,15
Designer42E: Olle Enderlein with Christoph Rassy. 42F: Germán Frers (Argentina)1,5
BuilderHallberg-Rassy Varvs AB, Ellös (Sweden); hull and deck of the 42F laminated in the yard’s own plant in Kungshamn1,7
Hull length42E: 12.93 m (42 ft 4 in). 42F Mk I: 12.96 m (42 ft 6 in); Mk II: 13.22 m (43 ft 4 in) with the longer transom1,5,8
Waterline length42E: 10.50 m (34 ft 6 in). 42F: 10.35 m (34 ft)1,5
Beam42E: 3.78 m (12 ft 5 in). 42F: 3.95 m (12 ft 11 in)1,5
Draft42E: 2.05 m (6 ft 9 in). 42F: 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in). Both also built 30 cm shallower with an encapsulated lead keel1,5
DisplacementEmpty standard boat: 42E 11500 kg (25353 lb); 42F 12500 kg (27558 lb)1,5
Ballast42E: 4500 kg (9920 lb) of iron encapsulated in the hull (the German colour brochure gives 4.7 t). 42F: 4700 kg (10360 lb) of lead, bolted on with 15 stainless bolts1,2,13,5,7
Keel42E: iron ballast keel moulded into the hull in a deep bilge (the data sheet says steel), GRP rudder behind a skeg on a 40 mm bronze stock with cast bronze fittings. 42F: lead keel on a deep bilge1,2,16,5
Sail area42E with 100 % working jib: 79 m² ketch, 75.5 m² sloop; with genoa: 101.5 m² ketch, 95 m² sloop. 42F: 89 m² with jib, 101 m² with genoa (84 m² with 100 % foretriangle in the 1991 brochure)1,5,3
Mainsail42E: 33 m² (ketch) or 35 m² (sloop), mizzen 10.5 m² (1987 specification); the yard gives no mainsail figure for the 42F2
Genoa42E: working jib 35.5 m² (ketch) or 40.5 m² (sloop), genoa 58 m² or 60 m² (1987 specification)2
Air draftMast above the water without Windex: 42E ketch 16.27 m, sloop 17.74 m; 42F 18.50 m (18.75 m in the yard’s 2002 comparison with the HR 43)1,5,12
DimensionsTransport height: 42E 4.00 m with windscreen, 3.82 m without windscreen and genoa winches; 42F 4.39 m with windscreen, 4.00 m without1,5
Engine optionsVolvo Penta throughout. 42E: MD21, MD31A or TMD31 (the yard’s list, without years; the 1987 specification has the MD31A with 46 kW / 62 hp at 3500 rpm). 42F: MD31 with 46 kW / 62 hp in the 1991 brochure; TMD22 with 56 kW / 76 hp from the 1993 range brochure on and in the yard’s data sheets1,2,3,6,5
Maximum speedSpeed under power according to the yard: 42E 8.1 knots, 42F 8.3 knots1,3,6
Range42F: about 620 nautical miles under power in calm water (specification)7
Fuel tank42E: 395 l in two stainless tanks (250 l and 145 l) under the saloon sole, with a pump to draw off water and sludge. 42F: 420 l in a stainless tank under the saloon floor with gauge (415 l in the 1991 brochure)1,2,7,3
Water tank42E: 725 l in a GRP tank under the engine. 42F: 685 l in two tanks, 320 l under the floor and 365 l under the settee, joined by a stop valve (650 l in the 1991 brochure)1,2,7,3
Holding tank42F: space for a holding tank in the forward head (specification); the 1982 manual for the 352, 38 and 42E explains how to use a holding tank where one is fitted7,9
HeadroomSaloon: 42E 1.85 m; 42F 2.00 m (1.93 m in the 1991 brochure), walk-through 1.68 m, forward cabin 1.98 m, aft cabin 1.91 m1,7,3
CabinsBoth: forward cabin, saloon with galley and chart table, aft cabin reached through a walk-through past the engine room, two heads with showers. 42E aft cabin: a narrow single to port and a double to starboard; 42F: two berths aft, a level cabin sole throughout1,2,5,7
Berth sizes42E: forward berths 2.00 m long, aft 2.00 × 0.71 m and 2.00 × 1.35 m, starboard saloon settee 2.05 m. 42F: aft 2.00 × 1.20 m and 2.00 × 1.15 m, forward berths 2.00 m long (2002 comparison)2,7,12
Hull42E: solid GRP with longitudinal stringers, deck a 25 mm sandwich with PVC foam core, hull and deck laminated together, built under Lloyd’s supervision with a hull construction certificate. 42F: hand-laid isophthalic polyester and gelcoat, Divinycell insulation above the waterline, built under Germanischer Lloyd with full 100A5 certification2,7
CE category42F: A (unlimited ocean voyages) according to the yard’s specification and data sheet7,8
Successor42E → 42F (1991); 42F → Hallberg-Rassy 43 (the yard compared the two in February 2002)1,12

Good to know

  • Both generations were sold simply as the Hallberg-Rassy 42: the E and F were added later, and the sail, bow, hull stripe and companionway plate just say 42. Tell them apart by the deck and beam (flush deck and 3.78 m on the 42E, 3.95 m on the 42F) and, on a 42F, by the transom: Mk I boats (hull numbers 1–52 and 55) have no bathing platform, Mk II boats from 1994 have one.1,5,8
  • Read the engine plate before ordering parts. The yard lists three Volvo Penta engines for the 42E (MD21, MD31A, TMD31) without saying which years had which, and for the 42F its own 1991 brochure and the first magazine test show an MD31, while every document from 1993 on names the TMD22.1,3,4,6
  • The 1982 manual for the 352, 38 and 42E asks you to grease the stern gland from the grease gun in the engine room about every 20 engine hours, to take apart and clean the vacuum valve that keeps sea water from siphoning into the engine twice a season, and to check the fuel filter for water about an hour after refuelling. Hallberg-Rassy’s current general manual likewise says to check the anti-siphon valve several times a year, since a failing one can ruin the engine.9,17
  • For the Enderlein boats the yard publishes two hand sketches showing how the lower rudder bearing pin in the skeg is replaced, naming propeller-shaft steel as one suitable material for the new pin; the sketches also show the seals and grease nipple of the rudder stock gland.18,19
  • Look closely at the teak deck, especially the plugs over the screws: the Italian used-boat report the yard keeps on its 42E page lists it with the engine, the rig and standing rigging, the deck gear and the wiring as the points to check. Hallberg-Rassy’s general manual warns never to clean a teak deck with a pressure washer.16,17
  • Hallberg-Rassy keeps data sheets, specifications, wiring diagrams, sail plans and cradle sketches for both generations on its previous-models pages, and for the 42F, which has no manual of its own, it points to the general instruction book of its current boats. Original spares come from Hallberg-Rassy Parts AB in Ellös, and the owners’ associations (HROA in the UK, Hallberg-Rassy Connectie in the Benelux) share technical know-how with their members.1,8,20,21,22

Videos & how-tos

Links to YouTube, nothing embedded. The maker’s own channel comes first; the rest are channels we found clear and correct for this model.

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Sources

  1. hallberg-rassy.com/yachts/previous-models/hallberg-rassy-42e
  2. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42e/downloads/HR42EStandardSpecEn…
  3. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42f_mk_i/downloads/Brochure1991.p…
  4. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42f_mk_i/content/HR42FPaKryss.pdf
  5. hallberg-rassy.com/yachts/previous-models/hallberg-rassy-42f-mk-i
  6. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42f_mk_i/downloads/Range1993.pdf
  7. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42f_mk_ii/downloads/HR42FStandard…
  8. hallberg-rassy.com/yachts/previous-models/hallberg-rassy-42f-mk-ii
  9. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/resources/manuals/HR352-HR38-HR42EinstrTy1982.pdf
  10. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42f_mk_ii/downloads/HR42F-elschem…
  11. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42f_mk_ii/downloads/HR42F-elschem…
  12. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_43_mk_i/downloads/Hallberg-Rassy4…
  13. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42e/downloads/HR42EcolourGerman.p…
  14. techwebasto.com/documentation/heater/at-3500-5000-burner-upgrade/download.html
  15. web.archive.org/web/20020419033835/http://www.hallberg-rassy.com:80/hr42/hr42.shtml
  16. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42e/downloads/ItaReportHR42E.pdf
  17. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42f_mk_ii/downloads/Manual-Eng.pdf
  18. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42e/downloads/RudderEnderlein1.pdf
  19. hallberg-rassy.com/fileadmin/data/yachts/hallberg-rassy_42e/downloads/RudderEnderlein2.pdf
  20. hallberg-rassy.com/contact/spare-parts-and-accessories
  21. hroa.co.uk/
  22. hallbergrassyconnectie.com/en/

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