Hallberg-Rassy 53 (2004) for sale in Beaulieu, United Kingdom

English

It is not difficult to find a sturdy offshore cruising yacht, there are a lot of designs that are comfortable to live aboard at anchor but often they are a little lacklustre under sail and in lighter airs and trade winds you may find the capacity of the fuel tank is more important than the sail plan!

That is where you need a designer like German Frers and a boat builder like Hallberg-Rassy to combine their skills to produce a comfortable, live-aboard yacht that provides impressive passage-making speeds with an easily managed, "Push Button" sail plan.

The Hallberg-Rassy 53 is that yacht and ALTER EGO is one of the latest you can buy. In her early life ALTER EGO crossed the Atlantic and had a few seasons in the Caribbean but she soon returned to the UK and Northern European sailing where she has led a fairly gentle life of family cruising. It is rare to find a substantial cruising yacht of this type with relatively light use so an early viewing is recommended. 

Comments and History

Hallberg-Rassy built ALTER EGO for her current owners. This was not their first Hallberg-Rassy and the specification was chosen to build a family cruising yacht with the capacities and resources to allow for extended passage making and life, independent of land, for extended periods. She has good battery capacities with excellent charging capability. Fuel capacity has been extended with an extra 300ltr fuel tank, over 1,000ltrs of water tanks can be topped up every day with the high-capacity water maker. 

it was also important that the yacht could be handled with a minimum of crew on watch so the powered winches and furling systems can all be operated from the helm position, so one person can set, reef and furl the sails away without leaving the wheel. ALTER EGO was sailed two-handed by her husband and wife crew in the ARC and won their class proving the effectiveness of "Push Button Sailing" (and of course the crew's seamanship).

After a few seasons in the Caribbean ALTER EGO has spent most of her cruising life in northern Europe and she is a UK VAT Paid yacht. ALTER EGO is one of the last Hallberg-Rassy 53 built she is lucky number 80 of the 88 HR53s that were built. She is constantly maintained to a high standard, £60,000 was spent on refit in 2024 so the next owner should have trouble-free ownership for the next few years.

Comment by the designer, Germán Frers:
"The Hallberg-Rassy 53 is designed with the cruising connoisseur very much in mind. She follows closely the tradition and philosophy behind my earlier Hallberg-Rassy designs. The hull shape was developed following the significant lessons learned from the intense research program carried out by our design office for the America's Cup.

Racing they say improves the breed. This is certainly the case with the 53 which, though not designed with competition in mind, benefits, particularly when sailing upwind from testing we carried out on keel and rudder shapes.

Her moderate displacement is in line with the yacht's strong construction and high level of equipment carried on board. Sail area too is generous, and coupled with the excellent stability gained from the 53´s special bulb keel, performs well, even in light winds.

The overhangs are rather generous for her type and contribute to give the yacht an aspect of graceful elegance which will be maintained regardless of the passage of time."

Build and layout

HULL
The hull is laminated using the hand lay-up method with woven rovings, isophtalic polyester and NGA-gelcoat. The hull is insulated from the water line up. There is a decorative blue stripe in gelcoat. The under water hull is painted with two coats of epoxy primer from new. Built-in longitudinal and athwardships stringers. Lead keel bolted on with 17 stainless steel keel bolts. Rudder in GRP, rudder shaft 80 mm stainless steel. Heavy cast bronze rudder fittings. Rubbing strake with brass strip situated below the blue stripe.

DECK
The deck is moulded in white GRP-sandwich construction, 35 mm thick for strength and insulation. Blue decorative stripe around the cockpit. The hull and deck are completely joined by overlapping GRP-laminate inside the join. Deck, coachroof, handrails and seats are all solid Bangkok teak. 15 windows, 14 of them opening, 5 skylights and 6 Dorade vents. The deck is provided with scuppers which drain under the waterline to avoid streaks on the topsides.

ACCOMMODATION
ALTER EGO has one of the more versatile layouts with a traditional "V" berth forward with an infill so the cabin can be used as a twin or double. The stbd bunk cabin offers two well-sized single berths that serve well as sea berths on passage. The saloon has a large folding leaf table on the centre line with an "L" shaped settee berth to stbd and Hallberg-Rassys classic armchairs to port. the chart table is on the stbd side at the bottom of the companionway and the galley is in the walkthru to the aft cabin with work surfaces inboard and outboard. the aft cabin has a queen-sized centreline berth with sofas on either side.

The interior joinery is to Hallberg-Rassy's traditional high standard in mahogany with a beautiful matt silk finish. All lockers are ventilated from the front with louvred doors, the back of the lockers and behind soft furnishings Mahogany slats create an air barrier to the inside of the hull. The deckhead has a cream-coloured vinyl covering throughout, accentuated with mahogany strips in the saloon. All deck hatches have Ocean Air blinds with the choice of a black-out blind or insect screen. The saloon upholstery is a practical cream leather and a durable blue fabric is used for the mattresses in the cabins. The yacht is well-ventilated through dorade vents and opening ports and hatches she has heating and air-conditioning throughout.

Accommodation

Forward cabins
Traditional "V" berth with infill in the fwd cabin giving the option of a twin or double cabin. large stowage space beneath suitable for sails or other large items. stowage above in Lockers and open shelves. there is a large hanging locker to port and smaller lockers and vanity shelf to stbd. 

To stbd and aft there is a twin cabin with good-sized bunk berths, this cabin also has a hanging locker smaller lockers and a vanity shelf. there are two skylights, opening windows, and good lighting in both fwd cabins.

Forward Head/Shower
The forward cabins share access to a generous head with an electric marine toilet and a separate shower compartment. The wash hand basin is in a Corian worktop with stowage above and below. There is a stainless steel Black water tank that can be emptied to sea or pumped out from the deck The shower tray sump is beneath a teak grating and grey water can be pumped directly over board. 

Saloon and Chart table 
The saloon has "L" shaped seating to stb around a large double folding leaf table with bottle stowage in the middle section. The Stbd. settee has an extension to create a passage-making berth in the saloon. There are a pair of Hallberg-Rassy's traditional armchairs, renowned for their comfort, on the port side. LED downlighters in the deckhead reading lights and bulkhead lights over the seating. TV and Stereo, headroom in the saloon is 2.04mtrs.  Lockers and book shelves throughout the saloon, larger stowage beneath the seats and settee, elegant glassware stowage between the armchairs. 

The chart table is a navigator's dream with comfortable space for a half-folded Admiralty chart and shelves designed to give the right viewing angle for navigation and communication displays. the is stowage for ready-to-use charts under the table lid and draws beneath for everything else. The chart table is home to the 12/24v DC distribution panel with control and monitoring of DC functions as well as gauges for fuel and water. 

Galley 
An excellent sea-going galley in the walk-through to the aft sections of the yacht with work surfaces inboard and outboard so you can feel secure on either tack. there is a double stainless steel sink and a gimballed stainless steel cooker with a hob and oven. One large top-opening fridge, one top-opening freezer with dual fridge/freezer thermostat and one front-opening fridge with a small freezer compartment for ice making. there are drawers and lockers above and below the work surfaces plenty of power outlets and ventilation from opening ports both in board and outboard. 

Engine room 
The walk in engine compartment is accessed through a door in the walk-through aft of the galley. aluminium chequer plate panels allow access between the engine and genset. All pumps, heaters, water heater and filters are easily accessible for cleaning and maintenance. Special care has been taken to provide good sound insulation, the engine is on soft rubber mounts and the drive loads are taken directly on to the hull through an Aqua Drive.  The composite foam sound insulation is protected by perforated aluminium panels. 

Aft cabin and en-suit  
The queen-sized double berth in the aft cabin is on the centre line providing access to either side. the berth is flanked by sofas port and starboard making this more than just a sleeping cabin but a place you could spend time away from the activity in the saloon. there are two large lockers with a chart locker over them giving space for a world catalogue of charts there is stowage beneath and lockers and bookshelves above the berth. three opening ports and a large opening deck hatch give excellent light and ventilation to this cabin. 

The en-suit head/shower offers the same functionality as the forward compartment with an electric toilet, separate shower stall, black and grey water management and plenty of ready-to-use and longer-term stowage areas. it also accommodates all the service parts for the water maker in a large locker, outboard in the shower stall, this allows you to maintain the water maker in an environment where you don't have to worry about splashing chemicals or salt water on soft furnishings and joinery. 

Mechanical Systems

• Volvo TAMD 41B 146HP main engine
• Drive load taken through Aqua Drive to reduce noise and vibration
• 24v and  230v lighting in engine room.
• Automatic fire extinguisher in engine room.
• Gori, 3 blade, folding propeller with overdrive. Fixed propeller as spare.
• Ambassador Rope Stripper on shaft.
• 15hp Sleipner Bowthruster
• Fisher Panda 10000i, 8kw, 230v 50Hz, Diesel generator, in sound shield. installed in 2024 with 5 year warranty
• Extra fuel tank 300ltrs.
• Sea cocks and skin fittings replaced 2024.
• 24v main service battery bank of 420 A/hr@24v
• 12v Service bank for navigation, communication systems 180 A/hr@ 12v
• 12v battery bank dedicated to engine start 180 A/hr@12v.
• 24v/110A engine-driven alternator charging the 24volt bank
• 12v/60A engine-driven alterntor for 12v service and engine start banks
• Full 230v shore power system with UK outlets.
• Battery charger 12v/25A 230v, Mastervolt IVO Compact
• Battery charger 24v/75A 230v, instead of standard
• Inverter Mass Sine 24/2500 230v
• Mastervolt MICC battery and inverter monitor and management.
• Watermaker MT 5500 with auto flush & cleaning valves (225 litres per hr),
• 2 x holding tanks can be emptied from the deck or through seacocks
• Electric bow thruster, upgraded to 15 hp

Spars & Sails

• Silver anodised spars by Selden, triple spreader, masthead rig with fore and aft lowers. folding mast steps to first spreaders and 2 steps below masthead.
• All standing rigging was replaced in 2024
• Selden hydraulic Furl-in-mast and hydraulic genoa furler.
• Hydraulic outhaul in boom completes the "Push Button Sailing" system.
• Hydraulic backstay tensioner and boom vang with remote panel in cockpit.
• The carbon fibre whisker pole is stowed on the mast with a lift and sun cover.
• Elvstrom EPEX Furling mainsail, vertical full battens 2014 lightly used.
• Elvstrom EPEX Genoa UV protection, genoa, grey 2014 lightly used.
• Elvstrom Working jib 64 sqm 2004.
• A telescopic pole and 2 smaller jibs were used goosewing downwind.

Deck Equipment

• Windcreen of tempered glass in aluminium frame
• Fold down sprayhood over windscreen New 2024
• Bimini with stowage in front of the screen when not in use.
• High gloss varnished washboards and outer chart tables
• Hot/cold shower at bathing platform
• General service pump deckwash/fire pump 50 litres/min
• Brass anti chaff strips at all cleats on the teak caprail
• One 230v fluorescent light in engine room
• Cover cockpit table/wheel/compass
• Simpson electric davits with remote control
• Caribe 3.6 Tender 
• 25hp Yamaha outboard.
• 100m of calibrated anchor chain.
• High gloss varnished teak on wheel pedestal
• Selden protectors over hydraulic hose fittings
• Chain, gas and lazarette lockers – lockable
• 2 x secondary cockpit winches electric (Lewmar 48 CEST)
• 2 x genoa winches, electric (Lewmar 66 CEST)
• Teak outboard bracket on pushpit
• Teak pushpit seats, purpose built larger pushpit
• Decklight on mast
• Tricolour Lopolight LED toplight
• 6 x fenders, mooring lines and boat hook,
• Lewmar winch handles x 2

Navigation & Communication Equipment

• Steering compass mounted in the steering pedestal
• Autopilot Raymarine ST 7001 with 2 type ll linear drives
• Raymarine ST 290 wind Transducer.
• Raymarine ST290 Wind display.
• Raymarine ST290 Close Hauled display.
• Raymarine ST290 Speed display.
• Raymarine ST290 Depth display.
• Raymarine ST290 Graphic display at the helm.
• Raymarine ST290 Graphic display at the chart table.
• Raymarine ST60+ Multi repeater display
• Raymarine E120 Color chart plotter/radar display in the cockpit
• Raymarine E120 Color chart plotter/radar display at the chat table
• Raymarine 4kw 24" radome mounted on the mast
• Raymarine Class B AIS Transponder.
• Raymarine VHF 230E DSC Class D.
• Salor AC400 Iridium sat phone installed at the chart table.
• Icom MC802 SSB at chart table
• Weatherfax ICS NAV 6 Plus
• 12 volt and 24 volt DCC 4000 battery controllers
• VHF loudspeaker in cockpit
• Signal horn, Aqua Signal
• DSC Pacific antenna (DSC/GSM/VHF/TV/SSB/AM/FM radio/Navtex/Weatherfax)

Safety Equipment

Please Note:
Safety equipment you see on ALTER EGO will be included in the sale but will come without warranty and we are unable to guarantee service dates or suitability of the safety equipment for the next owners use. we can arrange responsible disposal of any equipment that is not required. 

Entertainment Systems

• 40" Samsung Smart TV mounted in the saloon
• DVD Player in saloon.
• Stereo radio CD Player with speakers in the saloon
• Sea and Symphony speakers in the cockpit.
• Stereo and speakers in the saloon. Additional stereo in Owners cabin
• Stereo speakers in cockpit

Features

• Washing machine
• Flat screen tv
• Spray hood
• Swimming ladder
• Air conditioning
• Furling mainsail
• Battery charger
• Shore power inlet
• Oven
• Hot water
• Electric bilge pump
• Dvd player
• Plotter
• Cockpit cover
• Compass
• Autopilot
• Cd player
• Cockpit table
• Electric head
• Radar
• Steering wheel
• Repeater
• Teak sidedecks
• Wind speed and direction
• Davits
• Inverter
• Depthsounder
• Log speedometer
• Ais
• Heating
• Manual bilge pump
• Tv set
• Fresh water maker
• Tender
• Wi fi
• Deep freezer
• Electric winch
• Gps
• Radio
• Liferaft
• Teak cockpit
• Fully battened mainsail
• Spinnaker pole
• Generator
• Bimini top
• Bow thruster
• Refrigerator
• Cockpit speakers
• Outboard engine brackets
• Cockpit cushions
• Storm jib
• Vhf
• Cockpit shower
• Furling genoa