Best (around 30ft) Scandinavian yachts

Swedes to include on any shortlist for solid, seaworthy 28-30ft cruisers

- Peter K Poland

Hallberg-Rassy 312 Mkll - ideal for a small family with its deep cockpit that is protected from the weather by a "trademark HR windscreen

Any sailor looking for a solid and seaworthy cruiser around the 30ft size is likely on his short list. Leading manufacturers such as Maxi, Hallberg-Rassy and Albin built a fascinating selection of models that fitted into the 28 to 31ft range and, in their differing ways, all make popular second-hand buys. But only one - the latest Frers-designed Hallberg-Rassy 310 first introduced in 2010 - can still be ordered from new. Which sadly seems to prove the point that the bigger factories are no longer interested in building smaller boats. So anyone now looking for a brand new 30-footer has their work cut out.

Monsun 31

The first Rassy in the 30ft bracket was introduced in 1974 and remained in production until 1982. Called the Monsun 31, it became the most numerous of all Hallberg-Rassys and by the time the production run finished, 904 had been built. It was the top selling Hallberg-Rassy of all time; but very few have made it to the UK which is a great shame because the Monsun 31 has many attractions.