HR 36 vs HR 38
Last reviewed: - Vadim Nareyko
HR 36 vs HR 38 - Frers centre-cockpit (1989–2003, ~602, Mk I/II, beam 3.55) versus Enderlein centre-cockpit (1977–1986, ~202, 11.57×3.48) on Baltic shortlists. FairHelm fork: Frers-era listing depth versus older larger classic Enderlein displacement. Teak, rigging age, and winter storage beat the stern number - haul both before you bid.
Ownership study
The folder holds two Hallberg-Rassy ads with a centre-cockpit and neighbouring "36/38" on the stern. One is an HR 36: Germán Frers, Ellös, years 1989-2003, about 602 hulls, beam 3.55 m, displacement about 7.5 t, with a real Mk I step (hulls 1-256, 1989-1994, hull length about 10.87 m) to Mk II (257-602, 1994-2003, about 11.31 m, another transom and bathing platform). The other is an HR 38: Olle Enderlein, Ellös, years 1977-1986, about 202 hulls, overall length 11.57 m, beam 3.48 m, displacement about 8.5 t. The buyer is not arguing aft versus centre: both cockpits are centre. Same marque and the same cockpit family, but different eras, a real Mk step on the 36, and a different classic 38 package.
HR 36 in this pair is only the Frers 1989-2003 centre-cockpit form. German copy that credits Enderlein for this 36 does not belong here. Two HR 36 ads are not interchangeable without matching Mk I against Mk II by hull number, year, and stern: otherwise you compare someone else's transom to someone else's platform. Before a deposit, match the plate to the year window and to about 602 hulls.
HR 38 here is only the Enderlein 1977-1986 centre-cockpit form. Mixing in HR 382 (another form, other years, dimensions near 11.62×3.64 m) does not belong in this pair. Look for launch year and membership in the series of about 202 hulls on the plate and in yard papers: a listing title that says "HR 38" does not prove it.
The era and displacement gap (about 7.5 t against about 8.5 t) plus the Mk step on the 36 change living, invoices, and secondary-pool depth more than an argument about "the same Hallberg-Rassy number on the stern". The Mk II step reads in the transom, bathing platform, and aft-cabin entry, so two look-alike HR 36 hulls live differently; the HR 38 is longer and heavier, yet it is the same centre-cockpit family from another era. That is a fork of generation and package, not aft versus centre.
The haul agenda for both hulls is one: factory teak fasteners, soft zones after frost seasons, chainplates (the deck fittings that take the standing rigging), invoices for wire age, winter history, and Volvo cooling service. On the HR 36, separately confirm Mk I against Mk II. On the HR 38, separately walk away from a 382 swap.
The Baltic year budget for these boats sits in neighbouring bands for the class around 11-11.6 m. The table below is the planned SEK order for this pair from the Dual-write bands, not a deal price and not your yard's invoice.
Neither entry price nor the survey outcome is promised on this page. What sits under the teak, at the chainplates, and in the systems of that hull shows up on the hard and with an independent surveyor, not in the listing.
When to pick which
HR 36
The HR 36 (Frers, Ellös) is closer when the denser Frers-era secondary pool (about 602 hulls against about 202) and a live Mk I/II step on a hull about 10.87 or 11.31 m matter more. Before a deposit, confirm 1989-2003 and Mk by number/stern, reject an Enderlein credit for this 36, and ashore read teak, chainplates, and standing-rigging invoices.
HR 38
The HR 38 (Enderlein, Ellös) is closer when displacement about 8.5 t and classic Enderlein volume on a 11.57 m hull matter more than denser comparisons inside the HR 36 family. Before a deposit, require year and hull number in the 1977-1986 window (series about 202 hulls) and an explicit walk-away from an HR 382; on the hard look at teak fasteners, moisture at the chainplates, and dates on standing-rigging invoices.
Baltic ownership cost bands
| Cost theme | HR 36 band (SEK) | HR 38 band (SEK) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berth + insurance | 30 000–70 000 | 34 000–78 000 | class ~11–11.6 m |
| Haul-out + winter | 12 000–28 000 | 12 000–30 000 | crane and keel supports |
| Teak / deck reserve | 15 000–45 000 | 16 000–52 000 | factory fasteners |
| Rigging reserve | 10 000–30 000 | 10 000–30 000 | wire age 1970s–2000s |
| Systems / engine | 8 000–28 000 | 10 000–34 000 | Volvo cooling |
| Planning total | 80 000–200 000 | 90 000–230 000 | as in Dual-write seed; excluding major teak campaigns |
SEK in the table are taken from the Dual-write seed for pair hr36-vs-hr38. Your yard and insurer will issue their own figures, and those decide. The annual band does not cover sudden teak, chainplate work, or a new sail inventory.
Comparison table
| Category | HR 36 | HR 38 |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 10.87 m | 11.57 m |
| Beam | 3.55 m | 3.48 m |
| L/B | 3.06 | 3.32 |
| LWL | 9.35 m | unknown |
| Draft | 1.7 m | unknown |
| Displacement | 7,500 kg (light) | unknown |
| Ballast | 3,400 kg | unknown |
| Wetted surface | 31.3 m², calculated | unknown |
| Hulls built | 602 | unknown |
| Designer | Germán Frers | unknown |
| Production years | 1989-2003 | 1977-1986 |
| Overview | Oiled teak, the familiar Hallberg-Rassy HR 36 name, a newer plotter - and you already want to believe the boat is ready for July. | The HR 38 is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable production sailboats. Designed by Olle Enderlein for Hallberg-Rassy and built from 1977 to 1982 — a classic Enderlein blue-water cruiser before the Frers era scaled the range. |
| Typical issues | Q: Is the HR 36 name in the ad headline enough? A: No. Look at how the stern is built in the photos and whether a hull number is listed; do not trust a length figure alone. Length in the headline is marketing shorthand, not a series proof. Q: Does osmosis risk remain? A: Osmosis is moisture that lifts blisters under the outer plastic skin. | Q: What osmotic blistering issues appear on HR 38? A: Older HR GRP may show osmosis; barrier-coat history should be documented. Q: What chainplate leak issues appear on HR 38? A: Chainplate backing pads need internal inspection for laminate softness. Q: What iron keel corrosion issues appear on HR 38? A: Iron ballast encapsulation should be verified with moisture readings. |
Explore each boat
Common questions
- HR 36 or HR 38 for Baltic ownership?
- Pick the HR 36 (Frers, 1989–2003, ~602, Mk I/II) when Baltic listing depth and Frers-era parts familiarity matter most. Pick the HR 38 (Enderlein, 1977–1986, ~202) when more displacement and classic long-passage volume win. Both are centre-cockpit Hallberg-Rassys - the fork is era, liquidity, and size, not cockpit layout.
- What years and designers should I verify on the plate?
- HR 36: Germán Frers, 1989–2003, about 602 hulls; confirm Mk I (1–256) versus Mk II (257–602). Reject DE copy that credits Enderlein for the HR 36. HR 38: Olle Enderlein, 1977–1986, about 202 hulls at 11.57×3.48 m. Reject mix-ups with HR 382 (1984–1992, 11.62×3.64).
- Is this an aft-cockpit versus centre-cockpit fork?
- No. Both are centre-cockpit Hallberg-Rassys. The fork is Frers-era liquidity and Mk I/II living detail versus an older larger classic Enderlein displacement package.
- What should a survey prioritise on these two?
- Factory teak fasteners, chainplate moisture, standing-rigging age, winter-storage history, and Volvo cooling service usually move the price more than the number on the stern.
- How do annual Baltic ownership costs compare?
- Plan berth, insurance, haul-out, teak reserves, and rigging reserves in the bands on this page (about 80,000–200,000 SEK for the HR 36 and 90,000–230,000 SEK for the HR 38). Major teak campaigns sit outside the annual band for both.