hallberg rassy monsun 31 sailboatdata

Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31: A Timeless Sailboat for Offshore Adventures

In 1974, the esteemed Swedish boatbuilder Hallberg-Rassy launched the Monsun 31, a part of their highly praised line of cruising sailboats. The vessel was designed by the distinguished naval architect Olle Enderlein, who had previously contributed his expertise to several other successful Hallberg-Rassy models, such as the HR 35 Rasmus and the HR 42 E.

The Monsun 31 was meticulously crafted as a classic cruising sailboat. They featured a full keel, elongated overhangs, and a substantial displacement, which ensured stability in turbulent waters. Boasting a length overall (LOA) of 31 feet (9.45 meters), a beam of 9.5 feet (2.9 meters), and a draft of 4.6 feet (1.4 meters), the boat is ideally suited for extended offshore voyages. Its design incorporates a low freeboard, reducing wind resistance and enhancing stability. This and the extended waterline contribute to better performance and speed. The boat’s seaworthiness and reliability made it popular among sailors who valued comfort, safety, and traditional design.

The Monsun’s rig is designed with simplicity in mind. It features a single spreader and a furling genoa, which allows for effortless handling by a small crew. The sail area is moderate, which helps to maintain stability in forceful winds. But it’s still large enough to deliver satisfactory performance in lighter breezes.

The Monsun 31’s construction adheres to high standards, employing top-notch materials and skilled craftsmanship. Its solid fiberglass hull is hand-laid and reinforced with woven roving, ensuring its strength and durability. Similarly, the deck consists of fiberglass with a balsa core, offering both rigidity and insulation. Additionally, the boat is equipped with premium hardware and fittings, including bronze winches, stainless steel stanchions and pulpits, and teak handrails. All of these factors further attest to its quality and reliability.

The interior is spacious and comfortable. With its two-cabin layout, up to six people can be accommodated. The saloon is located amidships. It features a large table and comfortable seating, making it an ideal place to relax or dine. The boat’s galley is located on the port side. It’s well-equipped, with a stove, oven, sink, and refrigeration. The head is located between the front cabin and the saloon. In some versions, the head is located on the starboard side.

During its production run from 1974 to 1982, 904 Hallberg Rassy Monsun 31s were built. The boat quickly gained a reputation as a seaworthy and reliable cruiser. Many of the owners have taken their Monsuns on longer voyages. The Monsun has sailed worldwide and completed numerous ocean crossings. For many cruisers who value comfort, safety, and traditional design. it has become a favorite.

In the years since the Monsun 31 was first introduced, it has become a classic cruising sailboat with a loyal following of owners who appreciate its timeless design and solid construction. Many Monsun 31s remain in active use today, and the boat continues to be popular among cruisers who want a reliable, comfortable, and seaworthy vessel for exploring the world’s oceans. The Hallberg Rassy Monsun 31’s enduring popularity is a testament to its quality and the enduring appeal of traditional cruising sailboats.

Hallberg-Rassy Monsun 31 Data

Useful links.

Official Monsun 31 page Hallberg-Rassy Webshop

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• Sailboat Guide

Hallberg-Rassy 31

Hallberg-Rassy 31 is a 31 ′ 7 ″ / 9.6 m monohull sailboat designed by German Frers and built by Hallberg-Rassy between 1992 and 2009.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

From BlueWaterBoats.org :

The Hallberg-Rassy 31, designed by German Frers and introduced in 1992, has been one of Hallberg-Rassy’s most popular models for many years. The yacht strikes a harmonious balance between comfort, safety and performance as a go-anywhere cruiser on the smaller end of the offshore sailing spectrum.

The yacht enjoyed positive reviews in the press upon her introduction and through the years earned praise from hers owners. Bob Perry , one of the great names in cruising design, wrote in Sailing Magazine , “ Frers has given us a nice boat. I like just about everything about this design, from its high cockpit seatbacks to the fractional rig. ” While closer to home, Swedish yachting magazine Båtnytt wrote, “ Extremely spacious, light and inviting interior. The sailing and sea-going qualities are in a class of its own .”

Hallberg-Rassy’s change to Frers as designer has given this 31 footer a much needed boost of speed over her predecessors, for a cruiser her speed through water and close windedness is excellent in most sea conditions. However she’s known to struggle in light winds and also short choppy seas. The boat is well balanced is easy to single hand with all her control lines lead aft to the cockpit.

Under heavy conditions the boat is sea-kindly and has safe docile characteristics, as one owner put commented, “it always feels nice arriving in carpet slippers and smoking jacket rather than a drenched oily.”

The design pairs a beamy medium displacement hull with an efficient fin keel and a balanced spade rudder. Her sweeping sheerline belies a low freeboard, which helps keeps her windage low, while interior headroom is achieved by a higher cabin-top. The low freeboard arrangement also manages to keep the crew dry and well protected by use of a high cockpit wall and Hallberg-Rassy’s trademark fixed-windscreen.

The rig also continues the theme of cruising practicalities and performance. Frers has opted for a fractional rig, a configuration more often seen in racers, but is devoid of the extra hassles of running backstays to support the head of the genoa, instead relying on its masthead backstay and an aft-swept spreader to provide forestay tension control.

Belowdecks is a layout that feels light and spacious with mahogany joinery that has become a Hallberg-Rassy trademark. There are two spacious double cabins, one forward and one aft, and a large head and shower compartment aft. The saloon is of a good size and there is ample space in the galley and the chart tables is full sized. Going against the “full-sized” theme, owners comment that the berths are quite small, best suited to those under 5′ 10″ in height. The cockpit is comfortable, well protected and can accommodate a decent crew without issues. Part of the starboard seat lifts up to give access to a very generous stowage area.

All put together the Hallberg-Rassy 31 is a solid cruising yacht featuring the popular qualities of larger Hallberg-Rassys in a small package. She can cope safely in all weather conditions, practical for cruising life, and easy to sail. With an extremely long production run from 1993 to 2009, prices can vary dramatically depending on age and wear and tear.

The Hallberg-Rassy 31 continues from a very popular line of 31-footers. The Swedish yacht maker Hallberg-Rassy has alway distinguished itself for building quality yachts on the high end of the market, many noting it as the Mercedes Benz of boatbuilders.

Not long after 1972 when Harry Hallberg and Christoph Rassy merged their boatyard operations to become Hallberg-Rassy, the company’s Olle Enderlein designed Monsun 31 quickly became the company’s most popular model, in fact it sold 904 boats between 1974-1982 making it the all-time best seller. This model was complemented and eventually superseded by the 312, a more modern design by Christoph Rassy and Olle Enderlein which saw the introduction of a fin keel. The 312 was also very popular with 690 boats built between the years 1979-1993.

The Hallberg-Rassy 31 was introduced in 1992 to replace the long running 312, keeping many of her traits but with a lighter beamier hull and refinements throughout. This time the design was by German Frers who has been the exclusive designer for Hallberg-Rassy since 1989, his designs have added much needed performance to the Hallberg-Rassy lineup.

By 2006, the design was updated with a MkII version, the changes were minor, the most significant is a rig change to a lighter twin-spreader mast and an engine update, there were also many improvements to the interior furnishings. Like her forebears Hallberg-Rassy 31 enjoyed a long production run, lasting 18 years and 356 boats, before being replaced by the Hallberg-Rassy 310 in last 2009 – a slightly smaller and lighter sailboat.

Links, References and Further Reading

» The official Halberg-Rassy website, information on the Hallberg-Rasssy 31 MkI and MkII » Bob Perry’s design review of the Hallberg-Rassy 31 , first published in Sailing Magazine, 1993

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A Classic Reborn: Refitting a Hallberg-Rassy 31 For Long Term Cruising

• By Greg Thomasson and Missy Hearn
• April 19, 2022

Do you ever have a feeling that your life is about to change?” My wife said these words to me as we parked our Toyota 4Runner in front of the covered warehouse containing a 31-foot Hallberg-Rassy Monsun from 1975. I didn’t know what struck Missy, but I shrugged it off. “Let’s leave our ­emotions here in the car,” I said. I was lying. For the ­previous two months, I had been admiring this boat online, asking the broker for more pictures, and digesting anything that had information about the Monsun. Even before seeing the boat in person, I had dreams of ­following along the tracks that John Neal wrote about having sailed in his Monsun, which he owned for 11 years and sailed 44,000 miles before selling it in Australia. We wanted our first keelboat to sail (with Poseidon’s blessing) from our home port on Lake Erie to the Pacific. 

At that moment, though, I had to reel back my mind to where I was standing in Michigan. I had learned from reading all the books that you have to leave your emotions out of buying a sailboat. Which, in all honesty, I think is a bunch of baloney. Why shouldn’t you fall in love with something as time-consuming, money-depleting and frustrating as an old sailboat?

Anyway, it was time to focus. I had to find a reason not to buy this boat. 

The broker unlocked the warehouse and turned on the dim, fluorescent lights. The warehouse could fit about 50 average-size sailboats, but only about 10 were left on the hard that season, all tucked back into the corner. After five minutes of searching, we found the boat. 

The hull looked and felt solid, fair and clean. At first glance, the gelcoat looked outstanding for a 45-year-old boat, and even the nonslip on deck was still in good condition. The downside was that when we went inside the cabin, there was a strong odor coming from the head and holding tank. The cushions no longer had any resilience, and the covers needed replacing. Missy and I were too infatuated with the cockpit to care. It was covered in teak, and it felt snug and secure. The interior mahogany seemed so nautical. 

And then I opened the engine bay to see the Yanmar 3YM30, outfitted to the boat in 2015 and with only 200 hours logged. The engine looked immaculate, something I wouldn’t mind working on. 

A clean engine bay was a major ­checkpoint for me. It meant that the ­previous owner had cared. Not only that, but when something broke, I would be able to hop in and fix it without later stepping into our boat’s cabin covered in grease. 

The sails still had their inspection tags from the sailmaker for their yearly service. And, being a freshwater boat, it had rigging in decent condition. 

That was it. The boat had its flaws, but we were sold. 

Making the monsun shipshape

We closed on the boat after the survey and arranged to have it shipped to our marina in Monroe, Michigan. Our project list was built on our bluewater passagemaking dreams, which we’d spun up by reading Don Casey’s This Old Boat and Inspecting the Aging Sailboat , listening to Andy Shell and crew’s 59 ° North (now called On the Wind) podcasts, clicking around John Harris’ website, morganscloud.com , and scouring our surveyor’s report. Everything we wanted to do would be in our spare time because we were working full time. On the ­weekends, we would haul our tools to the marina and work on the boat throughout winter. Our goal was to fix up the boat in two years, and then cast off the lines. 

We followed the basic principles that Schell and Harris preach: Keep the water out, keep the rig up, and keep the crew happy and healthy. We added a fourth item: Keep it small and simple. 

Keeping the water out required us to replace all the original through-hulls, which had gate valves as seacocks instead of ball valves. We also had to replace the hoses and clamps for the deck scuppers and cockpit drains. 

We went with Groco IBVF seacocks and flanged adapters, and Scandvik ABA hose clamps. Replacing the through-hulls was an intimidating project, but the most technical aspect was ensuring that the through-hull and flange were flush to the hull inside and outside. It took some time to level the inside of the hull with epoxy resin and colloidal silica filler. With lots of sanding on the inside of the hull, and patience, we were able to ensure a watertight seal once the 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant 5200 was applied. 

During the survey, we had noticed some evidence of water entering from the lower shroud plates, so another task was to remove the U-bolt-style lower shroud plates. Then we had to remove any of the core that seemed to have water intrusion. We filled it with epoxy and redrilled the original bolt holes. I went to a local machine shop and had them fabricate the backing plates out of quarter-inch 316 stainless steel. 

That mom-and-pop shop with a couple of CNC machines was able to knock out the job in no time. As a plus, they became enthusiastic followers of our journey. 

Five frustrating inches

Next we focused on keeping up the rig. The rigging was old, its age unknown. So, even though the boat was lightly used for four months out of the year and had never seen salt water, we still decided to replace the rigging. The turnbuckles were replaced the first season with BSI turnbuckles and toggles. The following season, we replaced the 1-by-19 wire, ordering the length of wire and mechanical Sta-Lok terminals online from Defender. We took the measurements of the stays in January, but we didn’t get around to cutting them until much later. We cut the backstay in May, a few days before the boat was ready to splash. 

When we stepped the mast, Missy ­informed me that the backstay wasn’t going to reach the chainplate. “Well, unscrew the turnbuckle. It will fit,” I said. 

She replied with, “It’s about 5 inches short, and the turnbuckle is on its last few threads.” 

My heart sank. We were going to have to take off the mast and wait for another order of wire to replace it. But in a pinch, we found a Dyneema strop and a soft shackle that we could use as an extender. That combination allowed us to step the mast and move the boat over to our dock slip. 

We left the rig only hand-tight and did not bend on the sails. Once the new order of 1-by-19 wire showed up, I began cutting again, checking and double-checking measurements. In front of our boat slip, I used a mini hacksaw and a homemade miter box to make a clean, perpendicular cut. 

Once the backstay was cut and ready to go, Missy went up the mast, after setting the halyard and topping lift as additional temporary backstays. To my disbelief, once again, the backstay was short. 

“What the heck!” I yelled in frustration. 

“How is this so off?” Missy asked with undertones of blame. 

Both times, I had cut the backstay 5 inches short. I finally figured out that I was failing to account for the difference in swage and Sta-Lok length (about 2½ inches on each end). I learned that, when measuring stays, it is important to make a simple sketch or note stating exactly where the measurement started and ended, even if you are freezing your butt off while taking the measurements in Michigan in January. 

The third time, Missy came up with a plan to ensure that the length would be correct. I would first attach the Sta-Lok fitting to only one end, and Missy would go aloft and connect the fitting to the masthead. Then I would cut the backstay to the correct length by visually checking it. 

Finally, we had a backstay. With this setback, the rest of the rigging waited until we were on our way along the Erie Canal. The remaining shrouds were cut with the mast down, on the free dock in Waterford, New York. 

Getting comfortable

The most daunting and time-consuming of the tasks was keeping the crew happy and healthy. To us, this meant staying well-rested and well-fed, and living in a clean environment. Our boat had been a Great Lakes vacation cruiser. Used lightly and only for the summer season, it wasn’t outfitted for full-time living aboard. 

Since we would spend every day sitting and sleeping on the boat, we decided to replace the cushions and covers. We ­transformed one bedroom of our ­two-bedroom apartment into our canvas loft, and another room into boat-parts storage. This meant that our bed would have to be relocated to the living room, which we figured would be good practice for living in a small space. Missy measured all the cushions, including the V-berth, and came up with a quantity of foam, Sunbrella, underlining fabric and zipper length. Before ordering, we tried Sailrite’s foam sample box to find the perfect foam firmness. We placed the 6-by-6-inch foam samples on the ground, testing each to see what worked best for us—which would have been a funny sight to see, trying to test a cushion with our butts halfway on and halfway off the tiny samples. 

Missy then cut out the cushions using an electric knife, the kind regularly brought out for Thanksgiving turkey. All of the cushions required curved edges along the hull, which required Missy to make two measurement lines (top and bottom), and then cut the cushions at an angle. To make this complicated cut, I would sit under the cushion and guide one side of the blade to make sure it was still on the cut line. The cushion edges were not perfect, but, by oversizing the cushion slightly and using Sailrite’s plastic-shrink method, the small imperfections were no longer noticeable. 

The cushion covers were sized and sewn to the same dimensions as the original Hallberg-Rassy. This resulted in a skintight fitting. Missy decided to modify the settee cushions, changing them from a single 6-foot-long cushion to separate cushions that matched the stowage underneath. This greatly improved our access to cans of beans and tuna below the settees. Missy also cut the fabric-wrapped backrests in half so that we wouldn’t have to clear off an entire side of the salon to access underneath. 

I had learned from reading all the books that you have to leave your emotions out of buying a sailboat. Which, in all honesty, I think is a bunch of baloney. Why shouldn’t you fall in love with something as time-consuming, money-depleting and frustrating as an old sailboat?

And finally, to keep us snuggly in our bunks underway, Missy sewed some lee cloths out of Phifertex and binding, with pockets for quick storage of a headlamp, headphones, a book or a cellphone. She used webbing and buckles to allow for quick tensioning, and ease of ingress and egress. Every time I come in to rest on our boat, I still marvel at how amazing the cushions look and feel. 

Getting even more comfortable

When we first received our boat, it came with an Origo two-burner stove. We kept the alcohol stovetop for the first summer, but it became obvious within the first two weekends that it was not for us. I immediately grew tired of refilling the alcohol, which always seemed to be empty in the morning when we wanted to make coffee. The following winter, I replaced the Origo with a Force 10 two-burner ­propane stove and oven. It’s a major ­luxury to be able to light the stovetop without a lighter or match, and without fumbling around the cockpit locker to find the denatured alcohol. 

Then there is the added benefit of ­oven-baked fresh bread, which my wife said was a requirement for our new lifestyle. Since beginning cruising, she has made bread on the Hudson River approaching New York City, while underway in the Atlantic bound for Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas, and many times ­throughout the islands.

We also tried to go down the path of no refrigeration. We did it as part-time liveaboards the first summer. We bought bags of ice every weekend. Then we attempted it as full-time liveaboards. But halfway through the Erie Canal, we ordered an Engel fridge and had it shipped to meet us in Annapolis, Maryland. For vegetables and eggs, we chose to keep our icebox filled, which meant that every two or three days, we were buying a bag of ice. If I wanted cold beer, I had to splurge for two bags of ice. 

Man, was the fridge worth it. Enjoying a cold beer off Hawksbill Cay in the Exumas while sitting waist-deep in crystal-clear water on a mile-long sandbar with new friends was bliss. The only downsides of the fridge are the space it takes up and the extra 100-watt solar panel we had to add for the energy use. 

Setting off aboard Ukiyo

With these changes and many other small projects done, we planned to set off from Monroe, Michigan. We quit our jobs, terminated our apartment lease, and attempted to move onto the boat. We struggled to fit all of our stuff aboard, so we laid out everything on the lawn in front of our slip. Curious dock neighbors came by later that evening, worried we were dividing up our belongings and separating. 

After two more weeks at the dock, we were bound for Annapolis via the Erie Canal, Hudson River, New Jersey coast and Delaware Bay. In Annapolis, we spent five weeks on a second refit geared toward offshore sailing. We anchored the boat up the Severn River near Severna Park, Maryland—my childhood hometown. 

With the help of my family, we had a mooring ball and access to a dock. My dad and I worked for weeks to finish some major items. We installed a Hydrovane self-steering system, replaced our 50 feet of three-eighths G4 chain with 125 feet, swapped out the 35-pound CQR anchor for a 44-pound Spade anchor, and added deck fittings and ­reinforcements for the Dyneema ­removable inner forestay. We also bought new sails and completed many minor projects. It was a real treat working with my dad, and my mom always had a ­world-class dinner ready when we got home. 

All of these items, in my mind, fell ­under the category of “keep the crew ­happy and healthy.” You see, happiness to me is sleeping soundly and staying well-rested at anchor and underway. Adding a Hydrovane, which acts as our third crewmember and steers the boat perfectly offshore, allowed Missy and me to relax. And the oversize Spade anchor has been worth every penny during winter cold fronts that blow through the Bahamas. 

Meanwhile, Missy converted my ­parents’ basement into another canvas loft. This time, she spent two weeks redoing our dodger and dodger frame. The smile on her face when the test fit was successful rivaled our wedding day. 

Finally, we added critical safety equipment, including an ISO-certified life raft, an EPIRB, two personal locator beacons and a new manual bilge pump. Then we were off to Morehead City, North Carolina, to wait for a weather window for a five-day trip offshore to Marsh Harbour. 

All in all, with our refitted boat, we spent three months cruising across Lake Erie and along the US East Coast, and then four months cruising the Bahamas. We waited out hurricane season in Luperón, Dominican Republic, with plans of sailing the Eastern Caribbean before heading west to Panama. 

The refit almost broke us a few times, even before we left the dock. There were so many unknowns, from how we would shower to whether we could actually live in such a small space. Once we left the dock, though, we immediately adapted to our new home and lifestyle. 

As we continue our journey, we wake up every morning not knowing what the day will bring. Will we swim with eagle rays? Run aground? Lose our dinghy? Adopt a kitten?

We never know. To us, this is what life is all about. It’s all part of the adventure. 

Follow Missy Hearn and Greg Thomasson’s journey on Instagram @sv_ukiyo or on their website, ­ thirdreefadventures.com .

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• Hallberg Rassy

Monsun 31 - Hallberg Rassy / STW001289

The Monsun 31 produced by the builder Hallberg Rassy and designed by Olle Enderlein, is a cabin cruiser for cruise, rigged Sloop

Technical data

cabin cruiser

Volvo Penta MD 11 C - 23HP

overall length

hull length

waterline length

standard draft

minimum draft

displacement

diesel tank

mast height

Accomodation layouts

standard version

DOCUMENTS: Monsun 31

Sales brochure of the builder

pdf file good resolution with old pictures, descriptions and specifications, english language.

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Hallberg rassy 31

The hallberg rassy 31 is a 31.35ft fractional sloop designed by german frers and built in fiberglass by hallberg rassy since 1992..

The Hallberg rassy 31 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally very small. There is a short water supply range.

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Bluewater Sailboat – Hallberg-Rassy 31 Monsun

Also called: monsun 31.

The Bluewater Sailboat Hallberg-Rassy 31 Monsun, launched in 1974, is a no-nonsense offshore cruiser with the superb build quality and strong enough for the needs of any long-distance sailor. The yacht has comfortable accommodations, a secure feel, and eye-catching lines. All of these factors contributed to her outstanding success as the all-time greatest seller for the famous Hallberg-Rassy brand.

Due to her rather substantial displacement, she does not point very high in weak breezes, although this is not why sailors buy the Monsun 31. Her water stability inspires confidence in offshore situations – she delivers an almost leisurely sensation, which has won her an outstanding reputation among sailors. 

• LOA: 30′ 9″
• LWL: 24′ 8″
• Beam: 9’ 5″
• Draft: 4′ 7″
• Displacement: 9,250 lbs.
• Ballast: 4,200 lbs.
• Sail Area: 430 sq. ft.
• Water: 43 US Gal.
• Fuel: 32 US Gal.
• Engine: 23hp Volvo Penta MD11C
• Designer: Olle Enderlein
• Builder: Hallberg-Rassy
• Year Introduced: 1974
• Year Ended: 1982
• Total Built: 904
• Also Known As: Monsun 31

The Bluewater Sailboat Monsun 31 is notable for being the first entirely new design from the Hallberg-Rassy yard following the merging of the Rassy and Hallberg boatyards in 1972, which formed the company name. The new company was formed when German expatriate Christophe Rassy purchased the rival and well-respected Hallberg yard when its founder, Harry Hallberg, decided to retire.

Rassy was building his Rasmus 35, a robust center-cockpit cruiser, at the time, while Hallberg was producing four boats ranging in size from 24 to 33 feet. Hallberg’s Mistress 32, a very racing-oriented design that competed effectively in the IOR half-tonne class, was particularly troublesome. She was in full production and was working on a yacht that was both expensive to build and sold for a low price – this was bad business, and Hallberg-Rassy needed something new.

Rassy asked Olle Enderlein to design a yacht similar to the Rasmus 35 but smaller and more streamlined. The new boat needed to have an interior that appealed to couples, and standards of comfort were essential. Enderlein based the new interior concept on the Mistress, but it was simpler, more streamlined, and straightforward to construct, making it more inexpensive. Production began in 1974, with a total of 904 boats constructed until 1982 when the boat was supplanted by the Hallberg-Rassy 312. (launched in 1979).

If you are interested in learning more about the specifications and details of a sailboat, we recommend visiting the page Bluewater Sailboat data by  Ocean Wave Sail . This page provides comprehensive information and is an excellent resource for anyone seeking detailed information about 1000+ sailboats.

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Welcome aboard Isabell!

This website contains stories from voyages aboard my 31-foot Hallberg-Rassy Monsun sailboat Isabell. Climb aboard to share these voyages, get ideas on fitting out your sailboat and tips on cruising under sail.

Isabell is now in France, going through the French canals. After spending the winter months in Auxerre, region Bourgogne, I now motor back up to the Seine and back to the Netherlands.

In 2012 I added the Monsun Registry to this website. This listing is completely non-commercial and maintained by interested Monsun owners around the Globe. To list your Monsun does not cost anything and guarantees your privacy. No owner details are shared. Under the link pages you may find interesting facts and helpful hints about sailboat maintenance or about the Monsun features in particular.

The Hallberg-Rassy 31 Monsun Registry

The registry contains 557 unique monsuns today.

Note that approx. 810 Monsuns were ever built, not 904 as stated on many websites. But still about 240 are missing from the list. List your Monsun by filling out this form

Isabell got a new engine in October 2018, a Beta Marine 30 that fits nicely in the Monsun engine bay. The old MD 11C Volvo Penta was worn out after 38 years of service. I am very pleased with this new engine. It is strong and dependable. In it's fifth year of service the engine has gone 1000 hours! Yes, it is mostly due to following canals and the rivers of continental Europe. I miss sailing, but here on the canals puttering around with the engine going is the only way to get anywhere.

Sailing is fun and a continuous learning experience. The combination of relaxing, sail trimming, navigating remote places, and the beauty of getting somewhere without burning fuel gives a great sense of fulfilment. The 5-knot average speed of a Monsun is a perfect way to sail and relax at the same time. It is also great sharing a passion with those who have found theirs in similar boats.

Blue water sailing

What is it that makes us want to sail the blue water, out of sight from land? Freedom, space, nightly starry skies, or just the sound and smell of the waves beating the hull at a steady rhythm? The beauty of it all is different to each individual. The challenges that blue water sailing provides creates a feeling of great individual satisfaction.

With Isabell stationed in the heart of the Baltic region (outside Stockholm) it has been possible to sail to many prime Baltic locations. For some useful information about sailing to the Baltic from the North Sea, and great tips about Baltic Sea visits, I recommend the following website in the UK: Kissen, the Baltic Cruise or for the Dutch sailing community there is the late Rene Vleut (author of the many pilots and books about sailing to northern waters) Facebook group ZeilNoord.

Isabell's long-distance sailing trips

The original plans were to sail down the Baltic Sea to the danish islands, northern Germany, and across The Netherlands during a three months single-handed tour of the Baltic Sea, european canals and rivers, Wadden Sea and North Sea. COVID-19 pandemic enforced a couple of changes, but the trip became reality and was a fantastic adventure, 74 days and almost two thousand nautical miles of travels. Along the way I met with a number of enthusiastic Monsun owners and other friendly folks. Read about it in my blog or you can download the whole story in PDF-format here (PDF 1.1 MB) .

The summer of 2017 we sailed down the Baltic Sea to Poland, by Gotland, Öland and Danish Bornholm. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Here is the short story of our adventure: Read more...

The summer of 2015 we sailed Isabell from Stockholm to Gotland, over to Latvia (Pävilosta), and along the Latvian coast into and around the Gulf of Riga, north to Estonia, past the islands of Saaremaa, Muhu, and Hiiumaa, and back to Stockholm. 813 nautical miles of exiting sailing adventure. Read more...

The summer of 2013 Isabell sailed south to Bornholm (DK) and Christiansoe (DK), and back to Stockholm, sailing through the amazing archipelago along the Swedish eastern coast. When back in Stockholm we had experienced a sailing adventure along 756 nautical miles of wind and salty water.

The summer of 2012 Isabell sailed north , all the way around the Bay of Bothnia, 1220 nautical miles of cruising adventure. We sailed via the islands of Åland to the towns Vaasa and Kemi in Finland. Then on to Haparanda, Northern Sweden, just south of the Eurasian Arctic Circle, at 65°N 24°E. From there we sailed back to Stockholm, following the Swedish coast for 29 days. see slideshow

Find some Monsun information in Swedish by following the Swedish link at the top of this page. Here you will find downloadable copies of the original Swedish Monsun Newsletters from the 1970´s and 1980´s. Enjoy!

SV Isabell moored along the canal in Leiderdorp, The Netherlands, August 2023 with the mast lowered on deck to tackle the bridges and locks of rivers and canals in continental Europe. During 2023 we passed through 193 locks, under many bridges, through five tunnels and across at least 7 aquaducts (overhead canals). It's been fun.

This website contains a listing of all known Hallberg-Rassy 31 Monsun boats; the Monsun Registry. Make sure you announce your Monsun, and help find the missing ones. In case you see your Monsun listed with the wrong name, homeport of country, just add your boat again, and the old post will automatically be replaced (once a day, so this may take a while).

A sunny afternoon while Isabell is anchored at the Swedish group of islands around Huvudskär lighthouse in the outer Stockholm archipelagos.

The skipper rowing out in the Stockholm skerries to save a friend from being marooned on a deserted island. Isabell anchored in the background.

Sitting on land during the winter period in Sweden, safe for the destructive forces of winter ice.

Note on the origin of the name "Isabell", in Swedish this is the name for the color yellowish off-white. The canvas covers on the boat have had this color ever since I bought her. And the name of the mother of my first grandchild is Isa, that connected with the French "belle", meaning beautiful, made me come up with this new name.

© Johannes C. Knulst, 2008-2024

Nationality: The Netherlands -- Registration and Home port: Visby, Sweden -- MMSI: 265635830

From January 2019 this site is upgraded with PHP-version 7.3 and MYSQLi compatibility.

SV Isabell is an excellent long-range sailing vessel for single handed sailing or small family expeditions. Safe, sound, and well built. With a D/L ratio of 342 this 31-foot boat gives a comfortable ride, wherever you sail.

| World Cup 2018 Moscow

With a population of as many as 15 million, making it among the largest cities on Earth, and a place where bars, restaurants, supermarkets, and traffic jams run 24 hours a day, Moscow is a pretty full-on experience for first-time visitors. The Russian capital is a riotous metropolis where Orthodox churches vie for attention alongside neon-drenched skyscrapers straight out of Blade Runner . Embrace the madness, load up on caffeine, and maybe pack a pair of earplugs.

The One Must-See Thing

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry is going to pitch up at Red Square this summer, to gawp at Lenin’s embalmed corpse in his mausoleum and then bag a selfie in front of the onion domes of St Basil’s Cathedral. For something a little more off the beaten path, check out the Fallen Monument Park , the final resting place for hundreds of statues of stern-looking Soviet apparatchiks that were removed from public spaces following the collapse of the USSR.

The Stadium

The 81,000-seat Luzhniki national stadium, built originally for the 1980 Olympics, has been completely renovated in the lead-up to the World Cup, removing the old running track, which is great for sight lines, but does mean any flares and firecrackers thrown by fans may actually end up on the field.

Spartak Stadium, Moscow’s second venue, opened in 2014, and though around half the size of Luzhniki, it’s regarded as one of the best-equipped and most atmospheric arenas in Russia.

Where to Watch

John Donne on Nikitsky Bulvar is about as close to an English pub as you can get in Russia. Go for the faint smell of stale Newcastle Brown ale, the tattooed barmen, and the soccer-loving crowd that regularly gathers there for live matches.

• June 14 Russia vs. Saudi Arabia Group A
• June 16 Argentina vs. Iceland Group D
• June 17 Germany vs. Mexico Group F
• June 19 Poland vs. Senegal Group H
• June 20 Morocco vs. Portugal Group B
• June 23 Belgium vs. Tunisia Group G
• June 26 Denmark vs. France Group C
• June 27 Serbia vs. Brazil Group E
• July 1 Round of 16
• July 3 Round of 16
• July 11 Semi-Finals
• July 15 Final

Design & Development: Graham MacAree

Editor: Nate Scott

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Shooter Files by f.d. walker

Street Photography Tips, Interaction, Travel, Guides

Apr 24 2017

City Street Guides by f.d. walker: A Street Photography Guide to Moscow, Russia

*A series of guides on shooting Street Photography in cities around the world. Find the best spots to shoot, things to capture, street walks, street tips, safety concerns, and more for cities around the world. I have personally researched, explored and shot Street Photography in every city that I create a guide for. So you can be ready to capture the streets as soon as you step outside with your camera!

At over 12 million people, Moscow is the largest city in Russia and second largest in Europe by population ( Istanbul is #1). An urban, cosmopolitan metropolis with more than enough glitz and glam to cater to the elite, but without losing its fair share of Soviet era roughness around the edges. It can be fast paced, brash, busy, and trendy like other big cities, but it has its blend of West meets Russia atmosphere and beauty that provides plenty of unique interest. The Red Square is as famous as it gets, but there’s so much more to this city, including the most beautiful subway system you’ve ever seen. It would take years to capture all of Moscow, but that means you have an endless amount of areas to discover.

So here’s a Street Photography guide so you can be ready to capture all that Moscow has to offer before you even arrive!

• Patriarch’s Pond
• Old Arbat Street
• Maroseyka Street
• Tverskoy Boulevard

Top 5 Street Spots:

1. red square.

The Red Square is the most famous square in not just Russia, but all of Eastern Europe. The name actually doesn’t come from the color of the bricks or communism, but from the name in Russian, Krásnaya, once meaning “beautiful” before its meaning changed to “red.” This large plaza is what you see on the cover of guide books and magazines for Moscow, with St. Basil’s Cathedral being the center piece next to Lenin’s Mausoleum surrounded by the Kremlin Wall. Of course, the Red Square attracts hordes of tourist due to the main attractions, but all that activity around an interesting atmosphere does provide street photo opportunities. It’s also the central square connecting to the city’s major streets, providing a good starting point to explore outward.

You’ll also find the popular pedestrian only Nikolskaya Street connecting the Red Square to Lubyanka Square. This line of expensive shops includes plenty of activity, while also leading you to another popular square. Filled with history rivaling any city, the Red Square and surrounding areas are the heart and soul of Russia.

2. Patriarch’s Ponds

Patriarch’s Ponds is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Moscow. Despite the name being plural, there’s only one large pond, but it’s worth a visit with your camera. It’s a popular spot for locals and expats to come relax or take a stroll around the pond. You get an interesting mix of young and old too, from young love to “babushkas” feeding pigeons. It’s a very peaceful park atmosphere in one of the nicer areas within the city center, while bringing enough activity for street photography. 

The pond is shallow and in the winter becomes a popular spot for ice-skating too. The area is also well-known for the location in the famous Russian novel, The Master and Margarita. 

3. Old Arbat (Stary Arbat)

Old Arbat is the most famous pedestrian street in Moscow, and dating back to the 15th century, also one of its oldest. Originally, it was an area of trade, but soon became the most prestigious residential area in Moscow. During the 18th century, Arbat started attracting the city’s scholars and artists, including Alexander Pushkin. Cafes lined the streets and impressive homes filled the neighborhood. Since then, New Arbat street was created as a highway in the area, while Old Arbat was paved for a 1km pedestrian only walkway.

Due to the historic buildings, famous artists that lived here, and the bohemian atmosphere, Old Arbat has become a big attraction for tourists today. Now, there’s a mix of cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, street performers, street merchants and other attractions for visitors, and some locals, to come enjoy. It can get really busy here and there’s usually something interesting going on so it’s a good street to come walk with your camera for guaranteed life.

4. Gorky Park

One of the most famous places in Moscow is Gorky Park. The official name is Maxim Gorky’s Central Park of Culture & Leisure, which gives you an idea of what goes on here. When built, it was the first of its kind in the Soviet Union. Divided into two parts, it stretches along Moscow River. One end contains fair rides, foods stands, tennis courts, a sports club, a lake for boat rides, and more. This end brings more active life due to its number of attractions, while the other end is more relaxed, where you’ll find gardens, trees, older buildings, and an outdoor amphitheater.

Gorky Park attracts mostly locals so it’s a good spot to capture the non-tourist side of Moscow life. Muscovites come here to escape the city and unwind in a picturesque setting. The park remains alive outside of the warmer months too, especially when the lake turns into the city’s largest outdoor skating rink. I’d recommend taking the metro out here to spend at least half a day exploring the massive park’s life with your camera.

5. Maroseyka Street

Maroseyka Street is a popular area not too far from the Red Square. The long, winding street turns into Pokrovka and is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and places to stay. It’s actually where I like to stay when I’m in Moscow due to its location and solid street photography opportunities itself. You have Kitay-gorod station near and if you keep walking southwest, you’ll get to the Red Square. But if you walk northwest, as it changes to Pokrovka, you can find a long street of activity for photography with its own interesting atmosphere.

6. Tverskoy Boulevard

Tverskoy Boulevard is the oldest and longest boulevard in Moscow, beginning at the end of Nikitsky Boulevard, and finishing at Pushkin Square, a spot to come for activity itself. The boulevard is made up of two avenues, with pedestrian walkways in-between. You’ll find grass, shrubbery, trees, benches and more walking it’s almost kilometer length. Many people come here to enjoy some relaxation, walk their dog, or just to use it to walk wherever they’re going. Its center location also provides a nice place to walk with your camera near plenty of other spots you’ll want to check out anyway.

Sample Street Walk:

For a full day of Street Photography, covering some of the best spots, you can follow this sample street walk for Moscow:

• Start your morning walking around the Red Square (1), while exploring the surrounding area, including Nikolskaya Street
• Then walk northwest to Patriarch’s Ponds (2) and slowly walk the pond and surrounding area with your camera
• Next, walk east to the Pushkin Monument and stroll down Tverskoy Boulevard (6)
• Once Tverskoy Boulevard (6) ends, it will turn into Nikitsky Boulevard. Follow this down until you get to the start of Old Arbat Street (3), across from Arbatskaya station
• After you’re done walking down Old Arbat Street (3) for more street photography, spend some time checking out Moscow’s beautiful metro stations
• To finish off the day with more street photography, get off the metro near Red Square (1) again, Maroseyka Street (5) or wherever you’re staying for the night.

3 Things I’ll Remember about Shooting in Moscow:

1. museum metro.

The Moscow metro system was the first underground railway system in the Soviet Union and today includes 203 stations across 340km of routes. The elaborate system has some of the deepest stations in the world too, with escalators that seem to go on forever. None of this is what makes it so special, though. Many of its stations feel like stepping inside a museum, making it without a doubt the most interesting and beautiful metro system I’ve been in.

When built, Stalin wanted to make the metro stations “palaces for the people” with marble, chandeliers, and grand architecture. The best part is the variety of architecture and styles used, making many of the stations a completely different experience visually. You could easily spend a whole day traveling the stations and there are even tours available for people who wish to do just that. My advice, though, would be just to buy a ticket and hop on and off at different stations, while exploring different lines. The museum-like surrounding mixed with the crowds of characters can make for a great photography experience.

Since there are so many stations, here are some of my favorites to check out:

• Novoslobodskaya
• Mayakovskaya
• Elektrozavodskaya
• Komsomolskaya
• Ploschad Revolyutsii
• Dostoyevskaya
• Prospekt Mira

2. Moscow is Big

It’s no secret that Moscow is a big city, but it can feel even bigger with how spread out much of it is. This is especially true if you compare it to cities outside of Asia. If I compared it to cities in Europe, I’d probably say only Istanbul would warrant more time to really discover the depths of this city. Most only explore around the Red Square and surrounding area, but that is such a small part of the city. Although, that central area does give you plenty to see on its own.

Fortunately, I had a good friend living in the city to show me around, but it opened up my eyes even more to how much there is to discover in Moscow. It’s a big city with a variety of atmosphere that can take you from “east” to “west” and trendy to rugged depending on where you go. I’d imagine you’d have to live here a while to really know the city.

3. Cosmopolitan Mix of East meets West

Modern skyscrapers mixed with amazing architecture, a world-class metro system with museum-like beauty, trendy fashion and chic clubs, Moscow is a rich mix of Russian culture and history in a more western cosmopolitan package. There is a push to keep the Russian culture, while also pushing forward with a modern metropolis the whole world will envy. This comes with an impressive skyline, that continues to grow, and endless modernities, but with soviet nostalgia and atmosphere mixed in for good measure.

Mixed in with this grand western cosmopolitan atmosphere, is a strong national pride in Russia. This includes their famous leader, Vladimir Putin. Maybe no other place will you see a country’s leader more often. All over, from the pricey tourist shops to the underground walkway stalls, you’ll find goods with Putin’s likeness covering them. From t-shirts to magnets to Matryoshka dolls. There’s a strong national pride that can be seen around the city, which also extends to their leader. Moscow is many things. It’s East meets West, modernizations meets Soviet era, and a whole lot more.

What To Do For a Street Photography Break?:

Eat at a stolovaya.

Stolovayas are Russian cafeterias that became popular in the Soviet days. You grab a tray and walk down the line of freshly prepared local dishes, and select whatever you want from the chefs. They’re usually inexpensive and a much better value than restaurants, while giving you the opportunity to try from a wide selection of everyday Russian food. They’re also very tasty. I always include some borsch on my tray and go from there. The places themselves are all over Moscow and usually come with Soviet-era aesthetics to complete the experience.

Street Safety Score: 7

*As always, no place is completely safe! So when I talk about safety, I’m speaking in general comparison to other places. Always take precaution, be smart, observe your surroundings and trust your instincts anywhere you go!

Being the 2nd largest city in Europe with over 12 million people, you’re going to have your dangerous areas, but for the most part, it feels safe walking around. Russia is statistically higher in crime compared to most of Europe, but this generally doesn’t apply to tourists and visitors. Around the Red Square and surrounding city center, you should feel completely safe walking around. Pick pocketing can happen, but no more than other touristic places. I always explore Moscow freely without coming across too much to worry about. It’s a spread out city, though, so of course it matters where you are. Just use basic street smarts, know where you are and Moscow shouldn’t give you a problem. 

People’s Reaction Score: 7

Moscow is fast paced, big city life, which usually means people aren’t too concerned with you, or your camera. I don’t find people notice or pay much attention to me when I’m out taking photos in Moscow. For the most part, people just go about their day. You shouldn’t get too many looks or concern. But it can depend on the area you are in. The more you stick out, the more you might get noticed with suspicions. I’ve never had any problems in Moscow, or Russia, but just be careful who you’re taking a photo of if you get out of the city center. Other than that, it’s about average for reactions. 

Street Tips:

Learn the alphabet .

Much of Moscow, including the metro system, doesn’t use english. The Russian alphabet uses letters from the Cyrillic script, which if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know the sounds, can be hard to decipher the words. This is most important for street names and metro stops when trying to get around. It can save confusion and make it easier getting around if you learn the basic alphabet. At the very least then, you can sound out the words to see which are similar in the english conversion, which can help matching them to maps. When out shooting street photography, getting around is as important as anything. So save yourself some time and frustration by learning the Russian Alphabet.

Use the metro

While Saint-Petersburg feels very walkable for a city its size, Moscow can feel very spread out, even for its bigger size. Outside of the Red Square area, you can have plenty of walking before getting anywhere very interesting, so you’ll need to take the metro a lot if you really want to explore the city. Maps are deceiving here too, it will always be further than it looks.

Another reason it’s less walkable than Saint-Petersburg is its completely different set-up. Moscow’s streets are mostly contstructed in rings with narrow, winding streets in-between. This is common with medieval city cities that used to be confined by walls, but you usually don’t have it in a city this massive. Saint-Petersburg has a more grid-like pattern that also uses the canals to help you know your way around. When it comes to navigating on foot in Moscow, it can be more difficult, so bring a map and take the metro when needed. It’s why Moscow’s metro carries more passengers per day than the London and Paris subways combined.

Explore other areas if you have time

Moscow is really big. While most people stay around the Red Square within the Boulevard Ring, there’s so much more to the city. I covered some other spots outside of this circle, but if you really want to see the city, you’ll need time. If you do have time, some other areas I’d check out first are Zamoskvarechye, along some of the south and western Moscow.

Inspiration:

For some more inspiration, you can look through the Street Photography of Moscow photographer Artem Zhitenev  and check out 33 of my photos taken in Moscow .

Conclusion:

Moscow’s name brings a certain mystique, but once you’re there it might bring a different atmosphere than you expect. It’s big and sprawling, but beautiful in many ways. It can feel like a European capital on a grand scale, but you can definitely find its Russian side in there.

The urban sprawl of Moscow can be intimidating, but give it enough time and you’ll be rewarded with plenty to discover. All with the world’s best metro system to take you around.

I hope this guide can help you start to experience some of what Moscow contains. So grab your camera and capture all that Moscow has to offer for Street Photography!

If you still have any questions about shooting in Moscow, feel free to comment below or email me!

(I want to make these guides as valuable as possible for all of you so add any ideas on improvements, including addition requests, in the comment section!)

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