single handed racing 342 vs 370
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 370 / 375
Forum Description: 370 / 375 Hints, Tips and News
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14527
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: single handed racing 342 vs 370
Posted By: Hendrik H
Subject: single handed racing 342 vs 370
Date Posted: 13 March 2024 at 00:08
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Hello Ladies and Gentlemen Nice to meet you all. I've never owned a sailboat before, but have attended a number of races on beneteau yachts and windsurfboards. The reason of being here, is about single handed sailing. I'm considring of purchasing a Hanse 370, but there is a 342 on sale for considerably less coin. The boaat would be mostly cruising in yhe Baltic sea and the west coast of Scotland. Club races for fun, mostly two of us ojaboard. So the question is , which one ( 342 0r 370) could be faster nd smoother from port of Pärnu to port of Oban (singlehanded, same setup)???
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Replies:
Posted By: Jojo
Date Posted: 13 March 2024 at 08:30
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I can’t speak about 370 but the 342 need some things to make the boat successful offshore singlehanded that includes the 370 if not already done. I like my boat and mostly sailing single is no problem, I like the boat and have no regrets going this path with 342 I can say this is a keeper for me in my part of life But if you are younger….. And if no other obstacle's a bigger boat is mostly a safer/faster way to go Never mind the bigger cost, sails, harbours, deeper draft, that’s a thing to ad to the equation Regards jonas ------------- 3 Cabin, Hanse 342, Deep draft, Tiller version. |
Posted By: alettaenmarcel
Date Posted: 13 March 2024 at 20:07
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I sail the 370 , a lot Singlehanded, and also in Some Singlehanded races. Love it, easy to handle and pretty smoot on a swell. I think it is a bit faster then the 342, but that is also a lovely sail. ------------- Kids Dingys 72-79 ,Several Windsurfboards 79-86 OK dingy competitions 86-92 , Trotter Pandora Race 92-98, Friendship 28 Sport 98-05, Hanse 370 06-...... |
Posted By: Hendrik H
Date Posted: 15 March 2024 at 01:42
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Thanks for your kind replies I've read a lot of threads in this forum about the 370 nd 342. One of the most mentioned problems about 342, according to this forum appears to be rounding up in higher winds. Haven't read about solid solutions, that are really working. Most of of my sailing experience comes from slalom sailing on windsurfboards and I know what does a millimeter of downhaul or outhawl means in terms of pefomance (not to mention the quality of rigging components, the fin and, above all, the sailing technique). So, my question is : if I replace the rudder of H 342 and establish a proper trim, would the roundupping problem be solved?
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Posted By: Gunnar
Date Posted: 15 March 2024 at 08:25
My simple answer is yes, the difference is really noticeable. I've hardly experienced my 342 round up in a gust after getting the new rudder. Really recommended! ------------- Hanse 342 #350 "Lathans" - Horten, Norway |
Hendrik H wrote:Posted By: Johan Hackman
Date Posted: 15 March 2024 at 11:37
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I think it is important to keep in mind that you only make an improvement by replacing the rudder on a 342 if the original rudder is bad. The Hanse 342 in itself is not a bad boat because the rudder poorly designed. It is just that there are a badly manufactured rudders out there. My previous rudder was a bad rudder by all means and replacing it was the single best improvement to my boat. (And now I am talking about my second rudder. My first rudder was also bad and had to be replaced. The Jefa rudder that I have now is my third rudder.) Others have complained that although ordering the deep keel they got the short rudder meant for boats with the shoal draft. I have no experience with that but since the Jefa rudder I got is shorter than the original rudder but still much better I draw the conlusion that the size is not all that matters (no pun intended). The foil shape is just as important if not more important. Chances are that are that if you look at purchasing a Hanse 342 the rudder will not be bad and therefore a replacement will not make a change. I would be careful when checking this up. If the rudder is bad, however, replacing it makes all the difference and we are many who can testify that. Johan  -------------  http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se |
Posted By: iemand
Date Posted: 17 March 2024 at 15:41
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First of all you need to consider if you think about tiller or wheel steering. If tiller you can only go for the 342. I sail our 370 a lot singlehand without any issues..... BR Thomas ------------- Hanse 312 MJ 2004 - Hanse 370e MJ 2007 |
Posted By: Pat Butler
Date Posted: 01 May 2024 at 04:19
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Gunnar, How did you know you had a bad rudder? What were the symptoms/characteristics Pat Butler ------------- "Right Time" Hanse 342 3 cabin, wheel helm, shallow draught. Hull #470 |
Posted By: Gunnar
Date Posted: 01 May 2024 at 05:56
Hi Pat, I’m not sure if I would say the old rudder was "bad", it might as well be me not handling the boat good enough. Anyway, the problem was mainly loosing control in strong winds. A strong gust when beating could make the boat round up as the rudder lost its grip. Then I just had to slowly force it back on course after loosing speed and direction. To be honest, better mainsail trim and use of the traveller could possibly helped me avoid most of the happenings. However, the new rudder has a way better grip in such situations, giving me better control in gusts even if the mainsail isn’t trimmed as good as it should have been. And the new rudder looks way better than the old one on the hard! :-) ------------- Hanse 342 #350 "Lathans" - Horten, Norway |
Posted By: Pat Butler
Date Posted: 01 May 2024 at 06:27
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Is your boat a full keel or a shallow draft Gunnar ------------- "Right Time" Hanse 342 3 cabin, wheel helm, shallow draught. Hull #470 |
Posted By: Jojo
Date Posted: 01 May 2024 at 16:09
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Hallo from what I’ve been told The gap between the rudder and bottom is a big factor when the rudder stalls The closer it is to the bottom the better Then the surface is also a factor to keep it in laminar flow As well as the profile is surely in its optimum speed range But as the gap is still the most significant factor at this construction and fairly easy to modify to a better fit This I my gap on the original rudder and it works well  https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/building-a-faster-rudder" rel="nofollow - https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/building-a-faster-rudder
------------- 3 Cabin, Hanse 342, Deep draft, Tiller version. |
Posted By: Gunnar
Date Posted: 01 May 2024 at 21:31
My 342 has the standard/deep draft keel. I don’t remember if Jefa has a rudder for the shallow draft version in stock, but I’m sure they can make a custom rudder for any boat. ------------- Hanse 342 #350 "Lathans" - Horten, Norway |
Posted By: Johan Hackman
Date Posted: 15 August 2025 at 21:39
I find this very interesting and the article you link to underscores it. Thanks for sharing. The gap in your picture is most likely to be even smaller. The rudder has a buoyancy and different locking rings on the rudder stock is in action when the boat is in the water or if is put on the hard. In your picture the boat is on the hard and the tiller head (which I just called a locking ring) is preventing the rudder to slip out of the boat onto the ground. When the boat is in the water it is the locking ring under the upper bearing that prevents the rudder to touch the hull whilst the tiller head only functions as the attatchment of the tiller to the the rudder stock. Johan ------------- http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se |