Sweden - Hallberg-Rassy
Open House
Wed August 19th thru Wed Aug 26th
Well, this started last Christmas when Roger Johannson mentioned the Open House at Hallberg-Rassy in August. By the end of January, we had our tickets in hand, a start on hotel reservations and our spirits high.
The Open House featured over fifty boats in the water ad the same number of vendors in tents in the large parking lot. Saturday night a featured speaker. Ours went around the world from Sweden to Antarctica, then all places warm back home. Took three years. IN a 62' HR.
Monday, we not only sailed one vessel, but two. The HR 40' and 43'.
So, here are some images. Not much comment as, this takes alot of time. Any questions? Let me know ...
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Sweden, Some Thoughts ...
All my family has been there except me (and Marcia). My older sisters raved of both Norway and Sweden as they visited relatives and saw the homesteads of those who came before us.
Here is Marcia and my take on a foreign land.
Sweden is really expensive. Avg Hotel Room . $250us a night. Hamburgers, fries, (3) beers $70, Steaks and drinks for lunch $120. Really nice steak meal with dessert and drinks in really nice dining room? Try $185, USofA dollars.
Roads in the countryside are in great condition but very narrow. (Small)
Grocery stores in small towns bring out the worst in folks. Stay away if you can. Them Swedes can be crabby and pushy.
Lotsa rocky soil over there.
Most folk like Obama and everything Socialism. Dislike Republicans and Bush.
The Hallberg-Rassy operation is very impressive. Without offending anyone, once the hull and deck are laid up, and all the components from vendors in hand (mast, rigging, engine, galley things), Imho, the rest of the construction is one huge pile of woodworking and putz putz putz to get it all to fit. But, very impressive when finished.
Walking the deck on a 62' vessel is impressive. Your weight does not influence it, nor any other vessel larger than 40'. It is a long ways from one end to the other. Quite impressive, all that hand laid teak decking all over the flat surfaces.
We established a list of "Must Not Haves" in an Oceangoing Vessel
- Two Wheels
- "V" Oriented Spreaders
- One Very Large Wheel
- Uneven Floors Downstairs
- Undersized Shiny Wires
- Wide Open Transom
- 2-3 Heads (1 Preferred)
- More than 2 Berths (Like an extra set of bunks midships)
- In the Saloon, No Chairs ...
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Well, my Signature image. Really small biffies. Had to do it.
Later ...