Hanse 345 - Reviews and Opinions

Hi All

I have just read a review of the Hanse 345 in the March 2013 edition of Voile et Voiliers, an excellent magazine in my opinion.

The article header says

"A clever and refined cruiser. Full of good ideas on board this German boat. The result is not always convincing but not a lot is missing..."

The article concludes that

"This cruiser is well finished and as a package well thought through that represents good value for money"

Overall a good review then but after reading the article again, I cannot help but feel that those reviewing the boat were left feeling a little disappointed with the sailing performance which was assessed over 100nm and in a variety of wind conditions from light force 2/3 to strong force 6/7. This disappointment is not due to the hull design from the NA's which they really liked but rather due to the way the boat has been set up and which could be remedied. What they particularly did not like was the self tacking jib concept that is a part of the Hanse ethos, the mainsail sheeting system and the fact that there are only 2 winches.

So what were their potential solutions?
- An overlapping genoa that would power the boat in lighter winds, would be more useful off the wind fitted to genoa tracks which are an option. Maybe Hanse should be leaving the self tacker as an option on future models given the strong views that exist?
- an additional 2 winches. They felt that having 2 winches only was not sufficient
- some resolution to the mainsheet system which they felt was too far forward ( over the coach roof ) and too wide in terms of the attachment points on the boom. ( safety ?). To my knowledge there is no factory fitted option to improve this set up.

Apart from lack of fiddles, anti-slip on the coach roof under the boom and a couple of other minor criticisms which could be fixed by an owner, they found the boat to be very well thought through.

As a Hanse owner though, their principal concerns go to the heart of what a sailboat is about.The self tacking jib and the mainsheet mid boom system is standard on most of the Hanse models nowadays. The competitors seem to have adopted smaller genoas (as opposed to self tacking jibs which they offer as an option) amd a traveller on the coachroof system for cruisers which seem to me to be more seaworthy options.

Time for a review?



Edited by Swanji - 15 February 2013 at 06:40

Hi All,

Yeoman wrote: The last 2 test sails I have done were in 6-8 knots of true wind and we were happily sailing at 5 knots so there should be no concern over the light wind performance.

I have the same experience with 355. I am absolutely delighted with light wind performance. When on downwinds gennaker is a must but same applies too. Well done Hanse...

Fendant
I was informed today that Dufour is now offering a mainsheet traveller on the coach roof as a option in the dufour 335.

Perttu wrote: Yeoman wrote: The last 2 test sails I have done were in 6-8 knots of true wind and we were happily sailing at 5 knots so there should be no concern over the light wind performance. I have the same experience with 355. I am absolutely delighted with light wind performance. When on downwinds gennaker is a must but same applies too. Well done Hanse...

Here is some evidence about the 355 http://youtu.be/HknPT0inMp4 - that day we were able to maintain speeds above 4,5 knts even when true winds dropped to around 6-7 knots. And true winds averaging 7-8 knots/140-150 degrees we were doing in average 5,5 knts over the distance of 60 NM's.

In my opinion very good performance for a cruiser - hope the sistership 345 can do this as well...


Edited by Perttu - 16 February 2013 at 14:24