The Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 vs Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 measures 34,7 feet overall (1978), giving it roughly 4,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 at 30,1 feet (1979). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 tips the scales at 14 771 lbs — 3 968 lbs less than the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 at 10 803 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 52 hp, the Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 has a 24-hp advantage over the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979's 28-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 carries 63 gallons versus 29 gallons in the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 caps at 9. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 displaces 14 771 lbs — a 3 968-lb difference over the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 at 10 803 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Both boats draw a similar depth — 5,4 ft and 5,6 ft respectively. Marina access and anchorage options should be broadly equivalent between the two.
The Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 uses a 1 tiller versus a 1 wheel on the Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978. Wheel helms give better leverage and visibility on larger boats; tillers offer direct feedback and simplicity on smaller ones. For auxiliary power the Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 carries a 52-hp engine against 28 hp on the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
For extended cruising, water capacity matters: the Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 carries 79 gallons versus 32 gallons on the Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 — a significant advantage on longer passages where watermaker or provisioning stops aren't guaranteed.
Bottom line: The Hallberg - Rassy 352 1978 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 14 771 lbs displacement and 35 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Hallberg - Rassy 312 1979 at 10 803 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.