1993 Beneteau First 42 vs 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1993 Beneteau First 42 | 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1993–1998 | 2003–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | Sweden |
| Designer | Bruce Farr | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) | 13.15 m (43.1 ft) |
| LWL | 10.52 m (34.5 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.05 m (6.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,845 kg (19,500 lbs) | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 76.3 m² (821 ft²) | 84.0 m² (904 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 250 L (66.0 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 is a 1990s design by Beneteau from France, while the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 was penned by Bruce Farr. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 measures 12.77m (41.9ft) overall with a beam of 3.86m, compared to the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II at 13.15m (43.1ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II is 0.38m longer than the 1993 Beneteau First 42. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II displaces approximately 30% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.12 and 76.3 m² of sail area. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, with an SA/D of 16.75 and 84.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 17.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II has a comfort ratio of 20.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 38.5% for the 1993 Beneteau First 42 and 39.1% for the 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1993 Beneteau First 42 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L of water capacity and 150L of fuel. The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 500L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II 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 1993 Beneteau First 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1993 Beneteau First 42 · 2003 Hallberg-Rassy 43 Mk II