Westerly Storm 33 vs HR 36
British classic cruiser versus Swedish centre-cockpit pedigree: Westerly Storm 33's layout against Hallberg-Rassy HR 36's Baltic resale pool. Side-by-side specs from published model data.
Storm 33 — British classic, often cheaper to start. HR 36 — more space with centre cockpit and a livelier Nordic resale market. Compare only if you are honest about crew, winter storage, and inspection budget — then sea-trial both before nostalgia decides.
Westerly Storm 33 vs Hallberg-Rassy 36 — British offshore vs Swedish benchmark. Buyer advisory
Comparison table
| Category | Westerly Storm 33 | HR 36 |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 10.11 m | 10.87 m |
| Beam | 3.51 m | 3.55 m |
| Production years | 1986–1993 | 1989–2003 |
| Overview | The Westerly Storm 33 is one of Northern Europe's most recognisable late-1986s British performance cruisers. | The HR 36 is one of Northern Europe's most traded centre-cockpit cruisers. Designed by Germán Frers for Hallberg-Rassy and built from 1989 to 2003 — a blue-water benchmark for Scandinavian couples stepping up from smaller HR and Najad hulls. |
| Typical issues | Q: What bilge-keel fairing issues appear on Westerly Storm 33? A: Twin-keel grounding wear and fairing cracks are common on UK imports — professional survey before pricing against fin-keel alternatives. Q: What rudder bearing play issues appear on Westerly Storm 33? A: Aft-cockpit layouts concentrate rudder loads; play warrants survey and possible rebuild before offshore seasons. | Q: Does the HR 36 suffer from osmosis? A: Yes — pre-1990 hulls built with non-osmosis-resistant polyester resin develop subsurface blistering in the boot stripe. Survey moisture readings above 15% (Tramex) on dry hulls warrant full treatment; typical cost at Nordic yards in 2024–2025 was €4,000–9,000 for hulls 10–11 m. |
Explore each boat
Common questions
- When does the Storm 33 make sense against an HR 36?
- When you want a British classic layout and often a lower purchase price — and you are honest about crew size, winter storage, and inspection budget. Then sea-trial both before nostalgia decides.
- What does the HR 36 add over the Storm 33?
- More space aboard with a centre cockpit and usually a livelier Nordic resale market — at a higher typical asking price and inspection budget.
- What should you be honest about before comparing them?
- Crew size, winter storage, and how much you will spend on a proper inspection. Without that, the compare becomes nostalgia versus brand badge.
- Should nostalgia decide the purchase?
- No. Let it narrow the list — then let inspection findings and a sea trial on both hulls decide.