The Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 vs Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967 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.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 at 35,1 ft versus Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967 at 34,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 tips the scales at 13 145 lbs — 1 020 lbs more than the Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967 at 12 125 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 29 hp for the Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 and 45 hp for the Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967 carries 74 gallons versus 50 gallons in the Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
Both boats are rated for 10 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.
Both boats sit in a similar displacement bracket — 13 145 lbs for the Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 and 12 125 lbs for the Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967. Comparable displacement means broadly similar seakeeping behaviour and load capacity, though hull form and ballast ratio will still produce noticeably different sailing characteristics.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 draws 6,2 ft, compared to 4,4 ft for the Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967. That 1,8-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 uses Sloop rigging. Helm style differs too: the Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 uses a 2 wheels versus a 1 wheel on the Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967. 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 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967 carries a 45-hp engine against 29 hp on the Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017. Motoring range and ability to punch through a foul current or enter a tight marina under power will favour the more powerful installation.
Hull speed is rated at 7,7 knots for the Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 and 7,0 knots for the Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967.
Bottom line: The Hallberg - Rassy 340 2017 and Hallberg - Rassy 35 Rasmus Ketch 1967 are closely matched on paper. A sea trial on both in representative conditions is the only reliable way to find which one suits your sailing style, home port, and intended cruising ground.