The Hallberg-Rassy 400 is an aft cockpit boat with twin helms, a modern and efficient hull shape with twin rudders and an easy to handle rig. The interior offers the option of one or two aft cabins, one or two heads, classic mahogany or bright European oak interior. After the center cockpit 40C, the aft cockpit 400 is the second new 40 footer from Hallberg-Rassy in a short time.
The cockpit is large. The twin helms make it easy to move in the cockpit. There is ample space on the pedestal heads for buttons and displays. The coaming is wide enough to offer flexibility for seating on top of the coaming or at bench level, with the benefit of the side protection by the coaming. The telltails of the headsail are easy to see from the helmsman's position. There is a fixed high gloss varnished teak table available. Control lines are lead in a concealed way to the cockpit coamings, allowing electric winches, without taking up any interior space. There are bins for excess ropes so the cockpit is always clean and tidy. The main sheet track is conveniently located in front of the Hallberg-Rassy typical wind screen. There is a fold-out swim platform available. Cockpit length and deck locker storage is larger than on the 412.
Although she is "just" 40 ft, she offers one or two heads, and two or three sleeping cabins. The forward cabin may be ordered in three different layouts:
For the first time with an aft cockpit Hallberg-Rassy: An Owner's Cabin in the bow, with center line bed and en-suite toilet with acrylic glass shower doors
Double bed with toilet, shower with acrylic glass doors and space for a washing machine,
or
Double bed cabin without own toilet
The saloon is available with L sofa and settees or L sofa and armchairs. For the first time with an aft cockpit Hallberg-Rassy, the washboard for the entrance is available with gas springs. If there is a single aft cabin, the starboard side settee is extra long. There is either a single aft cabin with large head with separate shower, or twin aft cabins, still with an aft head.
The rig is modern and easy to handle. The headsail is only slightly overlapping and easy to tack and there is a self tacking option too. The bowsprit is elegantly integrated with the hull and deck as standard, not an afterthought. The bowsprit is an excellent tack point for a gennaker, a mount for a bow ladder with platform and stowage for an Ultra bow anchor.
Comfort equipment is available, such as bow- and stern thrusters, and this may be combined with a generator. There are other comfort options such as washing machine, dish washer, or an extra fridge and freezer. Air conditioner and watermaker are also possible.
The Hallberg-Rassy 400 has won the Boat of the Year Award 2023 within Import Boat of the Year and shared Overall Winner in the Cruising World magazine from the USA.
The top prize was awarded to the Hallberg-Rassy 400 (Import Boat of the Year), an evolutionary cruiser with matchless versatility penned by naval architect Germán Frers.
This annual award recognize and honor the best and newest sailboat models introduced to the North American market. Nominating panels consisting of the magazine’s editors have examined all nominees in detail, both sailing, on deck, under deck and in every detail.
Of the Hallberg-Rassy 400, Cruising World Boat of the Year director Herb McCormick stated: “As cruising sailors, we’ve long been enamored with Swedish builder Hallberg-Rassy, and that respect has been reflected in past editions of our Boat of the Year contest, where the company has enjoyed numerous successes. It’s oftentimes not easy for a company with proven results to change what’s already a successful formula. But this latest 40-footer is a yacht that has certainly evolved, and in doing so, it’s the 2023 Import Boat of the Year. Its versatile layout, with a variety of options, is unusual in a 40-footer, and it sealed the deal. This ain’t your old man’s Hallberg-Rassy. It’s a lot better. It just is.”
In ideal conditions on Chesapeake Bay on the US East Coast, the taut fleet of 17 contestants vied for top honors in the 2023 competition. Each entry got a fair opportunity to strut its stuff.
| Designer | Germán Frers Naval Architecture & Engineering |
| CE category | A - Unlimited ocean voyages |
| Hull length | 12.30 m / 40’ 4” |
| Maximum length | 13.06 m / 42’ 10’’ |
| Waterline at rest | 11.74 m / 38’ 6’’ |
| Beam | 4.18 m / 13’ 8 1/2” |
| Draught, empty standard boat * | 1.92 m / 6’ 4” |
| Displacement, empty standard boat | 11 t / 24 250 lbs |
| Keel weight | 3.65 t / 8 050 lbs |
| Keel type | Lead with bulb |
| * Also available as a 25 cm/10'' more shallow draught version | |
| Sail area with genoajib, standard boat | 90.1 m² / 970 ft² |
| Sail area with genoajib, optimized sail area | 96.6 m² / 1 040 ft² |
| Air draft, ex Windex | 19.75 m / 64’ 10’’ |
| Engine | Volvo Penta D2-60 |
| Power at crank shaft | 44 kW / 60 HP |
| Max torque | 169 Nm/2000 rpm |
| Diesel tank | 400 l / 106 US gallon |
| Fresh water tanks | 520 l / 137 US gallon |
| Transport height, including windshield | 4.33 m / 14' 3'' |
| Transport height, without windshield, pulpit, pushpit, steering wheels, pedestals | 3.99 m / 13' 1" |
| Estimated GRT | 18.07 |
| Estimated NRT | 16.26 |
