Mirar, a special Hallberg Rassy 45 (for the GDV especially).
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Looking at the world of Classic Boats means, among other things, also looking at moments that have been able to mark the development of shipbuilding, if not the very history of a specific shipyard. This is certainly the case when looking at theHallberg Rassy 45 and, even more so, it becomes significant for us if the HR 45 being looked at is Mirar, a very special hull to say the least (especially for the Journal of Sailing). In the late 1980s, a breath of fresh air arrived at Hallberg Rassy (find the history of the yard here). Under the impetus of the “young” component of ownership, the shipyard seeks to renew itself and tries dialogue with new designers. It is one of those cases where “good the first” applies: German Frers designs the HR 45, resulting in an iconic and, to say the least, enduring collaboration. The hull is fast and streamlined, strong with particularly marine lines and a new lamination system that not only strengthens the structures but implements remarkable thermal insulation. It is the birth of a new era for the yard, a golden age to be followed by the iconic HR36 Mk1, HR42F and HR46. But the Mirar goes even further; it is not a “simple” Hallberg Rassy 45.
Mirar, the HR 45 (that was) of the Sailing Newspaper
Mirar was the Hallberg Rassy of the Journal of Sailing. But it was special even before that. Mirar was in fact born not for sale to the public, but for ownership itself: it is specifically intended for Mr. Rassy (senior) himself. A specific destination that the hull itself bears imprinted. Launched in 1994, in fact, this HR45 reflects specifications found on no other hull in the series: the mast is reduced, more solid and with three tiers of spreaders, the layout is rethought, to have a forward crew cabin, modifying the classic double-cabin layout in the bow triangle. Here, keeping a single bunk cabin, an additional cabin with bathroom is created, accessible, however, from the hatchway on deck. A solution desired by Mr. Rassy and later adopted in series on the 53, also signed Frers. But the Rassy family would have little time to make use of it.
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Mirar and the Journal of Sailing
In 1994 Mirar is in the Mediterranean, a showcase hull for the Frers range at one of many boat shows. Here, Renato Minetto, founding member of the Journal of Sailing, sees it and falls in love with it, buying it. Little harm to Mr. Rassy, who will move on to larger numbers. Mirar becomes yes Minetto’s boat, but by consequence, also the editorial staff’s boat, between daily outings and cruises. Luca Oriani still remembers the first transfer, departing from Antibes. Thirty knots of wind and over two meters of waves. He had never been on a Hallberg Rassy and, being in the (center) cockpit in a short-sleeved shirt and completely dry was something that immediately amazed him, and not a little. The great difference between Nordic and Mediterranean hulls… A boat loaded with memories and of which the GDV is not a little fond. Menomale, at the time of disposal, it was known it would end up in good hands….
Mirar “today”
Mr. Rassy first, the GDV later. Today, since 2004, indeed, Mirar belongs to Matteo Italo Ratti, CEO and Port Director of Marina di Cala de’ Medici, who takes wonderful care of her, with the last refit completed in 2021. A complete refit that involved mast, rigging and deck, complete with a sympathetic note, he tells us: the absence of the original plans at Hallberg Rassy’s, perplexed by the configuration of the hull, actually made custom on site for the then “head”.
Today, now in possession of the Mirar for some 20 years, Matthew tells us how there is no turning back after switching to such a hull. In his time, he came from modern boats, lightweight hulls with well reduced loads. The transition to the Mirar was a slow approach, with a learning curve that demanded its time. A different world that, however, as soon as he understood it, he was enraptured.
“Once you’ve discovered the classic, you can’t really go back into the modern, not for the cruising and the taste of sailing, if nothing else. It’s a totally different world, with a different flavor… from the comfort you have on board to the sailing itself, with 20 tons of hull breaking through the waves effortlessly… It’s a different philosophy…”
An ode, if you will, to what a bit are all Classic Boats, and even more so the bluewater boats of yesteryear, living and marine hulls, above all, now imbued with stories and experiences that, inevitably, bind us to them in a special and inimitable way.
- DO YOU HAVE A CLASSIC BOAT AND WANT TO TELL US ABOUT IT? WITH THE CLASSIC BOAT ARCHIVE YOU CAN CELEBRATE IT TO THE BEST, IT’S SO EASY: CLICK HERE AND INSERT BOAT AND HISTORY.
- You might also be interested in:
La saga degli Hallberg Rassy, le Classic Boat bluewater per antonomasia
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