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 Introduced last August, the HR 342 carries on the Swedish tradition of finely crafted boats while incorporating advancements in yacht design. West Coast Yachts of Seattle took us sailing on the new HR 342 on one of those perfect days on Puget Sound. With winds from 5-10 knots, we glided easily around Elliot Bay. Given the old perception of ocean cruising boats as slow and steady, the HR 342 was surprisingly responsive. The rudder post is quite far aft, making her handle like a much lighter boat. She balanced out nicely with very little steering needed to hold her on course. The fractional rig with a slightly overlapping jib (on a Furlex 200S furler) moved us very well and would be easily handled in higher winds. The Lewmar 40ST primaries were fine, although I'd prefer the next size up. Same for the cabin top winches. We rolled up the dodger and easily stowed it on top of the permanent glass windshield. It's a nice combination as the glass always stays clear and the dodger is small, easy to handle and inexpensively replaced ($250) when worn out. All lines are lead through the windshield base to stoppers. Decks are teak, as are the cockpit seats, and are left natural. Sidedecks are easy to move on, with lots of scuppers to carry away any water on deck. Cleats are quite large for lots of holding power in the real world. There is a solar panel mounted on the cabin top which was supplying 1.3 amps, and this is in Seattle! The cockpit is spacious with very comfortable seating. High coamings should keep you nice and dry and supply good back support. There is a Selden backstay adjuster which uses your winch handle for adjustment. The interior is very warm, using varnished khaya mahogany and is far from dark, with ten opening portlights (twice the number in the older model) providing ample light. Woodwork is simple and precise. The layout is pretty traditional, with U-shaped settee just forward of the galley, across from a bench seat in front of the nav station. The backs of the seats fold up, held by a cord, exposing nice double bunks in the salon. Much simpler and more stable than sliding out boards or lowering the table to get added sleeping space. Taller folks will enjoy the almost two-inches of added headroom in the new boat. Counter tops are Corian in the galley and the heads. Besides the normal bathroom pleasantries, the head features a wet locker, very useful for long passages for keeping dripping raingear out of the living area. Although you don't really notice it, there is quite a bit of stowage throughout the boat. HR has done a nice job of providing a nice living space and still keeping focus on the boat as more than a weekender, but a cruising boat whose owners will need space to keep all the necessities for the cruising life. Other practical matters such as having the companionway stairs on a hydraulic lift so that you don't need to remove them or prop them up when you need to expose the engine for maintenance, heating hoses are doubled to minimize loss of heat, the quick and easy emergency bilge pump switch mounted at the entrance of the companionway, little things that add up that reflect the experience of HR. Hallberg-Rassy describes their HR 342 as "highly evaluated". It had to be to replace a classic. The HR 342 is a sailors boat: attractive, simple, clean and functional. With a longer waterline on an easily driven hull, a sailor-friendly fractional rig, plus lots of stowage and more light and headroom down below, she should easily live up to the reputation of her predecessors . Thanks to Dave Melin and Ron Vanderhorst of West Coast Yachts (www.yachtworld.com/wcy/) for a very enjoyable sail. For more information go to www.halbergrassy.com/ ... continue to page two ... back to 48° North home page |
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