Are you happy with your size of boat?
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Topic: Are you happy with your size of boat?
Posted By: Johan Hackman
Subject: Are you happy with your size of boat?
Date Posted: 06 December 2008 at 16:50
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I usually say that I didn't buy the biggest boat I could afford but the smallest that would meet the criteria I previously had set up.
I am more than happy with my choice. My boat never feels small and it is not too big either. I frequently read Yachting World and find myself dreaming about how it would be to have a boat the size of a small castle. However, I only have to recall how heavy the main sail sack was last time I had to carry it to chase away those thoughts. Actually, everytime I have to coil up the main halyard after hoisting the sail I am glad my boat is not bigger. Now, every boat owner have their needs and desires which will depend largely on their cruising ground and their type of sailing. I am curious to hear if someone has similar thoughts? Johan -------------  http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se |
Replies:
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 06 December 2008 at 17:42
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I always liked to have a bigger boat than the one i owned at one and the same time. I think a lot people feel like this.
Bying a boat for me is and was always like to fulfil one´s dream.
After bying a boat you need a new dream, you dream of a bigger boat.
Sure i am very happy with the size of my boat a Hanse 370 right now.
And sure - It is way to big if i have to carry all the stuff at the end of the season.
And sure - it is way to small in my dreams.
So - somehow the real needed size is the one i have now. It is not to big for my wallet and it leaves me dreaming of bigger boats.
A life without dreams in not a good life. ------------- Blake 370 
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Posted By: Rubato
Date Posted: 06 December 2008 at 17:57
It's not the size of the boat that counts, it's what you do with it....  Sorry I couldn't help myself. But really it's true. For what I do with my boat right now, the size is perfect for me. If I were to be off cruising the world for months or years on end then something bigger than a 40 would probably be nice. However, for cruising a few weeks a year and weekends and doing the club racing I wouldn't want anything bigger. In fact, sometimes as I'm docking in a wind and some current without a bow thruster I do wish Rubato were a bit smaller!
Cheers, Steve
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Posted By: bovine
Date Posted: 06 December 2008 at 17:58
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hi johan
my very first boat ever was a hanse 315 purchased at the london boat show a few years back. At that time we just fancied a yacht and set ourselfs a budget, at the show we soon found there was not many boats in our budget, but standing firm we chose the 315 over the bavaria34.
three months on we loved it so much we phoned hanse uk and asked them to take it back and give us a 370 a year later we did the same and now have a 430. we have plans to live on it in the med when we can tie up loose ends here in the uk. so for us it was a learning curve rather than money. I fancy a 47 but sarah my other half has put her foot down and said NO im working on it though David
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Posted By: Johan Hackman
Date Posted: 06 December 2008 at 20:41
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Interesting thoughts. Thanks for sharing.
Steve says something that I sometimes like to say myself: it is not what kind of boat you have that matters, it's what you do with the one you have that does. I used to sail a 20-footer and I would still be sailing her if I hadn't been given the possibility to buy my 342. I think I saw a much greater potential in that boat than many other people would do. Now I try to see the potential in Emilia. Maybe I forgot to ask how many of you intend to keep your current Hanse for the rest of your lives? I intend to keep Emilia for the rest of mine. The picture below shows S/Y Frida with my then-yet-not-wife at the helm off Bornholm in the Baltic. Johan  ------------- http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se |
Posted By: Muscadet
Date Posted: 07 December 2008 at 01:19
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Johan
I started with a 22 foot boat and I loved it. I now have a Hanse 312.
This boat has a stern cabin the same size as yours. My wife and I have a large double bed (with obvious advantages) and being in a seperate cabin we do not have to stow it away in the day and get it out again at night. Also we can have a duvet instead of a sleeping bag.
We have a fore cabin big enough to accomodate a visiting couple of friends for the weekend and a saloon that is comfortable for entertaining four people.
We intend to keep this boat for the rest of our lives as we are very happy with it. The larger boats look wonderful at the boat show but when you come to polish or antifoul your hull you realise you already have a lot of boat. Realistically you do not need the extra space and a bigger boat costs more in mooring fees.
We like to go off for several days at a time, anchoring in secluded bays and not going ashore for three or four days at a time. The only problem we have with our boat is it has only one 'house' battery, only 50L fuel tank and 100L water tank. Modern thinking is that a 31 foot boat is only used for weekend trips!! But this is not a problem really. I can carry spare fuel in cans and I intend to fit additional batteries and a second fresh water tank in the future which will solve the problem.
Regards
Alan
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Posted By: alettaenmarcel
Date Posted: 07 December 2008 at 09:17
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I use to have a 22 foot and a 28 foot before.
I just loved these 2 but together with my wive (she had a 22 foter as well) we wanted to have more space and so we wanted to buy a 342 Hanse.
But wenn we came at the hanse stand at the Hiswa at IJmuiden there was the new 370 and we loved it so much (most of it was my wive loving the shower and wenn the wive says I want it , it will hapen .
So we bought our 370 called Together .
We never want a other boat for the rest of our lives exept wenn we winn the lottery.
Wenn I would not have met my wive I probebly still sailed my 28 footer called Caldonia.
Greetings Marcel
 ------------- 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: Brightside
Date Posted: 07 December 2008 at 12:25
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My rule of thumb.
Work out the size you want or need. Then buy the next size up. I find it works well for most purchases in life. I went to the 2002 London boat show to buy a 34" and brought a 371, I've never regretted that choice. Regards Mike |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 07 December 2008 at 14:57
This was our boat until end of last year: a waarschip 725
  My wife and me bought it in 1997. We sailed it for 11 years until end of 2007. All our 3 children have been sailing on this boat with us from their first days on. The last 4 Years with all 3 children. With all children we have been starting from netherlands to british south coast and i.e. to Helgoland holiday trips of up to 3-4 weeks each year. We were most of the time the smallest boat with the most children aboard. This boat is only 7,25 m long and 2,50 m wide. So very very small for a family of 5. The children loved it, because they were the only ones who could stand up. (max high inside is about 1,30m).
But now we are happy to have plenty of space for all, and all can stand up. So you see, we dreamed more than 10 years of a bigger boat, but we did not want to give up our lovely waarschip for a long time. At the end we had to bye a bigger boat, because the waarschip has only 4 small berths and our youngest could not sleep anymore on the small floor.
Now after one year on our hanse 370 we do not anymore know how this worked all the time on the small waarschip without any problems......
Before the waarschip i started sailing in a optimist (more than 30 years ago), after that i sailed races on my 420iger, Korsar, Zugvogel (German Class), and Hobie Cat 16. And many years i sailed many races on Laser.
At every time i felt to have the right boat for that moment. I would never say that the Hanse will be my Last boat. I hope there will be some more nice boats in my life.
There has never been a time in my life since 1976 without a boat
------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: panos
Date Posted: 07 December 2008 at 22:52
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Hi,
Greek rule of thumb for boat size :
lenght of boat( in feet) bigger than age of owner.
Cost of boat less than 20% of net worth.
If you cann't satisfy both conditions : DON'T BUY A BOAT.
Although I followed the rule I don't believe in it ,but ... ------------- Panos Hanse 630e - selling her - |
Posted By: alisa
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 01:15
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We started with the 342 which is a great first boat, but I think that if we had bought the 370 I would have less of an itch to buy something bigger! I see myself holding on to ALISA for 3 years, then upgrading to the 40'. I think the 40' is the perfect size, it's beamy enough that you're not on top of each other and big enough to go blue water cruising for a month or so and more affordable to fir in a slip at the marina. But again it's all about the payments, I'm also considering buying a 3-4 year old 40', one that hopefully has already gone through most of it's teething problems! ------------- jl |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 08:15
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@panos,
with this greek rule i think i have to sell my boat straight away.
 I am happy that this is not a german rule (or is it, following this greek rule, allowed to use the size of the feet of my youngest daughter? In this case i could change to a smaller boat
 )But may be the size of "feet" vary a little bit in the world.
I hope for you panos, that Hanse will build a Hanse 700 in the next years, so you are able to stay in the Hanse community. For now your boatsize fits for some years......  ------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: Abstinenz
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 09:24
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Hi,
Our first keelboat was a 19 feeter, then a 23, then a 28 and after 25 years of regatta racing we wanted a boat which was suitable for cruising purpose also. The head room in our 28 feeter was only 160 cm and after just one sommer holliday we visited many dealers and looked for 31 feeter. We ended up with Hanse 342 which really suits our needs. Of cause we often dreams of a bigger boat but the facts are, if the boat has a deeper draughft than 2,0 meter and a broader beam than 3,50 meter you are excluded from visiting most marinas and the most lovely places i DK, SE and northern Germany where we mostly cruises. The only basic improvements we can think of ragarding the 342 are: 1. 108 % jib 2. 1,5 meter higher mast and a mainsail of approx 38m2
3. +200 kg or so in the keel
4.
Wireless instrumentation
/Steen & Anne
------------- Hanse 342#436 |
Posted By: alettaenmarcel
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 09:25
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I agree with Peter Blake
Wenn I was a kid I sailed with the boat from my parents an several dingys.
Wenn I became old enough to drive a car I went racing dingys all over Europe in several competitions
Wenn I was 25 I bought a 22 foot , wenn I was 30 I bought a 28 foot and wenn I was 39 I bought a 37 foot.
I think the rule from Panos is for people who dont have to deal with a budget.
I am completely hapy with our 370 and hope to be one of the people who can stil sail this boat wenn I am 70.
Maybe then I switch to a motor boat???
(only wenn I am not able to hoist the sails anylonger , but I think I will buy electric winches and a bowtruster to sail easyer)
greetings Marcel
------------- 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: holby
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 13:50
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My 301 is my first foray into larger boat sailing, up until then, my wife and I plus my now large children, (little then) sailed and raced dinghies, Enterprise and the children, Lasers, I still sail my Enterprise during the summer months. I nearly bought a new 341 at the London Boat show but could not quiet afford it, so a few years later settled for a second hand 301 and not had any regrets, but no it will not last me the rest of my sailing life, I would like to progress onto a 342, like our leader or poss a 400 series, in approx 5-7 yrs time. But more than happy with my 301, the best thing about her is that because of the size I find you only lose things for a day or two, whereas if I had a 342 or larger then it may take me a week or so to find things. Hmmmmm not good.
Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp) 
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Posted By: anti
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 14:22
I can only say, we never considered going down a size  ------------- s/y Maike Hanse 315 #455 tiller, Z-spar rig, Yanmar 3YM20 http://maike.orpi.se/" rel="nofollow - http://maike.orpi.se/ |
Posted By: Adam
Date Posted: 08 December 2008 at 16:30
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I am very happy with the size of my 430, and I it will be a long time, if ever, before I get anything larger.
We sailed through Göta kanal, and spent this summer in the baltic. The draft of 2.20m was never a big problem, but later, when we got to the west cost of sweden we did have to sail around some Islands due to our height of 21.5m, seems there is a lot of bridges in the range 16-20m. I was considering the 470 as well, I am glad I went for the 430, Gøta kanal was a great experience, and would not have been possible with a 470. The max measurements in the canal is h:22m d:2.80, though we often read a lot less in depth, around 2.40 when we had to go out to the side to let the large passenger boats pass. We never touch the bottom, but was ensured that it was soft mud.  ------------- /Jørgen Adam Holen wherever you go, there you are. "firefly" 430e 2008 |
Posted By: bjoris
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 00:05
We have a 350 and for us, 2 adults and 2 kids it is a nice size. It is big enhough and still small enhough for us to do what we always have done with our smaller boats. Ofcours we would love to have a bigger boat some times but with a bigger boat, we will get problems with a lot of bridges in our area, it will be more difficult handling it alone, as I always do and ofcours, it will cost even more money. I thing we will have this boat a long time... But I have sad that before... ------------- H350#118 www.bjoris.blogspot.com |
Posted By: Gregor
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 07:50
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Interesting and nice topic!
My parents had a motor boat of about 8mtr. A solid boat that brought us and later myself, a lot of fun. The area we used the boot where de Nieuwkoopse plassen.
When I was at the age of 11 I got my first dingy, a Laser. I sailed that boat for 5 or 6 years and did a number of local races. After the Laser was sold, I only sailed on rentals.
In 2003 I visited Australia and unexpectedly I met the family of my late father. This was so intense that the thought came uop that I wanted to move there. After being there a second time at the same year to investigate the posibilities of living theere, I decided not to go. It is not just about selling the house, but it has to do with emotions about leaving my mum, friends etc behind. I realised that, being on my onw, was not the way yo go for me.
In that same time I said that, if I don't move to Australia, I want get myself a boat again. It happens to be that my brother was sailing as well with this boat,
 Sonnevis a long keel steel boat build in 1954, with a classical shape. He asked me if I wanted to participate. As a start to feel how it is to own and sail a boat again, I found this a great oppertunity. We agreed to do this 'project' together for 2 years and than see how to continue.
A lot of work needed to be done: new engine and a new solid anti fouling system. Quite some money was spent to get the boat in shape again, although new sails were (and still are) required.
During my time of sailing I also started racing on so called modern boats. My sailing area moved from not only the Grevelingenmeer (boat is berthed in Herkingen) but also the Northsea.
After two years I decided that I want a bigger boat with more (sailing) comfort. After a long investigations, saw over 30 boats, I walked with my former girlfriend ont the platoon in Willemstad and there we saw the Hanse 215. I said to her, 'this is a nice and great looking boat'. She said not to go on the boat.
After having looked at the other boats that were for sale, I decided that we have a quick look inside the 315. I was really caught by the mahogany interieur, more or less classical look and its comfort. I decided I want a Hanse, although far out of budget!
I spent some time looking on the net, found a 311 berthed in Workum, owned by a German, and cheaper than the other 311 that were for sail in the Netherlands. I contacted the owner negotiated a price and agreed to have an inspection done by the end of that week. Friday evening February 10th at 7.30 I was the new owner of a Hanse 311. This was a great feeling.
The Sonnevis, you might ask. After a long and intense dicussion with my brother, it is for sale and I even told him in one point in time that he may have the boat for free. He didn't take that offer, instead he proposed something else. Now it still is for sale without any costs on my account.
I'm glad I bought Uisge Beatha, she brought to several new places and I also learned a lot, not just about the boat but also about myself. Will I ever buy another boat? Maybe, but for now I really love her!
Gregor ------------- Uisge Beatha Currently sailing Dehler 36 JV (2002) Previous boat: Hanse 311 #80 http://www.uisge-beatha.eu" rel="nofollow - http://www.uisge-beatha.eu |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 10:27
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@gregor, what happened to your girlfriend? Did she really not step aboard?
Hope the Hanse was not the reason for leaving you alone ------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: Gregor
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 10:38
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@Peter: it sure helps to keep up your relation when you share each others passion (more precise share mine ). Sailing is a way of living, its more than just being on the boat on a nice warm cozy Sunday afternoon. Get the picture???
Gregor ------------- Uisge Beatha Currently sailing Dehler 36 JV (2002) Previous boat: Hanse 311 #80 http://www.uisge-beatha.eu" rel="nofollow - http://www.uisge-beatha.eu |
Posted By: Peter-Blake
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 12:38
  ------------- Blake 370
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Posted By: alettaenmarcel
Date Posted: 09 December 2008 at 14:15
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We have both the same passion.
I grew up sailing every weekend and vacation on the boat of my parents since I was 3 years old.
My wive the same only she started on board of her parents boat wenn she was a baby!
My wive her daughter is (12 jears old) also very happy to be on board and sail with us.
This is the firs boat we bought together and so we called it Together
We both just want to go to the boat every weekend (if possible) only now it is on land
 So we hope winter will end soon and the boat will float soon so we can go to the boat for weekends and vacation and then we will be much more happy than in this winter
 The boat normaly does go out every other winter , but because we have some jobs to do on the boat we go out of the water 2 times on a row and then we will leave it in the water for about 4 years and only get it out for new antifouling.
Greetings Marcel
------------- 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: silversailor
Date Posted: 10 December 2008 at 01:19
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I guess it's time for a little silversailor history also. I grew up in the most non-nautical city along the ocean, New York. While we were surrounded by water, back then (I'm 66), no one had any type of a boat. When I moved to Chicago after law school I only had time to admire the beautiful yachts along the Lake Michigan lakefront. My future in laws lived 2 miles away in Michigan on a small lake where my father in law sailed a small dinghy. I tried it a few times and soon after we were married , my wife and I took a week long sailing program in Annapolis. They separated spouses on day one and each learned to sail independent of the other. We returned to our home in Michigan (where we had moved after 2 years in Chicago) and purchased a 15' Albacore, which we trailored to inland lakes for a few years. Then, in 1984 we bought a townhouse in South Haven on the Black River, a tributary of Lake Michigan. By 1985 we had acquired a 25' O'Day which we sailed for 8 years. Then, wanting something with standing headroom and an inboard motor, we bought a 1986 Pearson 33. After sailing this Pearson for 8 years the Black River lost about 4' of depth and we could no longer get our boat up river to our townhome. So we sold her and bought a 1990 Pearson 34 with a 4' deep wing keel. Then, in 2005 we saw the new Hanse 340 at the Miami Boat Show. After a test sail I was sold on Hanse but really wanted something "different" (not necessarily bigger) than my prior 13 years with 33-34' boats. When the specs on the new 370 were announced, with my wife's encouragement, we placed our order, sight unseen! It was a real leap of faith. With our permission, our boat was displayed at the Cleveland and Chicago boat shows in early 2006 and the Michigan City in water show in 8/06. We've always been happy with our choice and have no desire to go any bigger. Our season is April through September. We daysail extensively, overnight 2-3 nights 2-3 times per season and cruise for 3 weeks. I've just begun to do some racing, both around the buoys and long distance (70-200 nm), so we make good use of our Hanse... and enjoy it thoroughly. ------------- Silversailor South Haven, MI USA S/V Legacy 2010 Andrews 28 |
Posted By: Andis
Date Posted: 15 December 2008 at 18:27
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Hi.
I'm more than satisfied with the size of my 370, thank you. And I don't think I'll ever want a bigger boat. Actually, sometimes when me and my wife are entering narrow harbours in windy conditions, I think I'd be better off with a smaller one. But then, one never knows what the future looks like?
When I upgraded from a 17' to a Maxi 68 in the 80s I was at the top of the world, when I got my Comfort 30 some years ago it was a dream-come-true. And, mind you, I had a lot of fun sailing along the coasts of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Me and my wife was comfy enough in the Comfort 30, but eventually, taking friends with us (and really good friends it had to be, using the toilet at night, 50 cm from our heads with only a thin curtain between) we were longing for something bigger.
But enough is enough (I think)? ------------- S/Y Anne-Ma, Hanse 370 2007 |
Posted By: colincooper
Date Posted: 15 December 2008 at 19:13
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Like others here we are very happy with the size of our boat. Occasionally I look jealously at bigger boats in the boat show or in marinas. But then I look at the marina price-per-metre charts. And then again I remember wonderful cruises in summer with kids and their friends camped up in the cockpit. Or winters with the heating on and snuggling from wind and rain. No, we are very happy with our Hanse 370. She copes well in strong winds and I rarely feel out-of-control. She gives us all we want.
Before we had a 31ft First 301 Benet..... Very nice. Great first boat. But she was a little small with all the kids onboard. You had to plan manouveres in the cabin. And always moving kit around to make space. But she was still a nice boat.
Can one ever find a sailor not happy with his boat? Size, prehaps, is not important. ------------- Colin (owner of Hilde - a 370) |
Posted By: Drumduff
Date Posted: 15 December 2008 at 23:23
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we based our choice on what we could afford and how often we thought we would use it. Our main factors were budget available, wanting our own boat and not wanting any shared/chartered type owrnerships, There are now only two of us as the kids have flown the nest so handling a larger boat would be a bit more hassle, costs to keep afloat, and what could we really justify per amount of useage.
Our first boat was a 35 yr old 28' Trapper 400 which was a great boat to learn on but we decided that we had earned a bit of comfort. Due to work we could only see us using a boat for mainly weekend sailing and our summer holidays. We could only see a bigger boat of use to us if we were cruising longer distances so decided a 30-34 ft boat would be ideal. We looked at others, new and second hand but really liked the Hanse models. The 320 has been first class for what we bought it for, well worth buying.
I also think that with the credit crunch and rising marina costs there may well be a lot of sailors moving downwards rather than upwards.
 |
Posted By: Popeye
Date Posted: 21 December 2008 at 18:03
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We have a 370, and are perfectly happy with the size. Agree that when reading boat mags and looking around summer harbours I dream of something bigger, but at same time I know that increased size means hassle in parking, handling, antifouling, even ability to find parking spots. Friends have a 42' ketch (reasonable sail handling) and are actually looking at downsizing due to hassle in trying to find summer parking spots. Previous boats of ours are 26' (at age 23) and 29' (at age 26); following a nice traditional trend of upsizing by 3' each time. However we skipped a few rounds and bought our 37' at age 35. We had used a season or two analyzing our previous boat, a really nice First 29, with plans to upsize and came up with our "dream list" for a future boat. Important things were standing head room through entire boat, indoors shower, septic tank, decent engine (not a tired 9 hp volvo), easy sail handling (never considered a self-tacking fore & mainsail...), decent cockpit, bathing platform, modern design inside (not all "teaky"), classic design outside (nothing "trendy"); and so on. And you've all guessed, that as soon as we saw the initial sneek previews of the first 370, and then saw it in the flesh the day before the official reveal in our home waters ... well ... we just had to have one. Luckily the finances were fine since we had not upsized each third year, so we had the ability to stretch. Having looked at the big-sister 400, and at the cousin 430 we are very satisfied with the 370.
By the way, she is for sale, since we are changing to a Bavaria 370 ...
(just kidding......) ------------- Popeye the sailorman |
Posted By: alettaenmarcel
Date Posted: 21 December 2008 at 21:03
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its a bavaria 37 and that has been replaced by a 38
But stic to your Hanse that simply a better choice.
BTW We have a 370 and saw a new Bavaria 43 and we simply liked the new look of it but we also stick to our Hanse 370 till we are old and grey (or balt)
 (I am 41 now and hope my Hanse will last another 40 years)But then we mayby if we can not handle a sailboot anymore we will then buy a motorboat (maybe at that time Hanse will built these( fjord or somting like that)
greetings Marcel ------------- 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: Henrik84
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 12:05
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I started with a 26 feet boat (Maxi 77).
Forgiving and easy to start sailing. It was a big step from that to my new 320. But I still want a bigger boat because I now need three cabins. (my old boat)  ------------- S/Y LaRey Hanse 320 #430 Gothenburg, Sweden |
Posted By: kirkelund
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 18:56
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Hi Henrik I think I will contribute to the revival of this thread by adding a picture of my previous boat - the long and slim Ylva (Loa: 12,18 m / beam: 2,28 m / draft: 1,65 m). Boy it really was (is) a great boat, but unfortunately accomodation is hopeless as you can imagine. My Hanse 342 is a fine compromise. Though not as fast the living aboard is much more comfortable. Still, boat speed is really fine   |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 19:42
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Ah to think back to my first boat.
In fact we still have her, and she is still very active sailed by myself and my wife and also by my children. In fact she was raced by my daughter in the Southport 24 hour race in 2010. The picture below shows her in action at Southport.
 We changed as my wife Sue, could not brew her tea in her, so we had to find something where tea could be made on the move, and so we moved upto a 301. ( Good move, I think,
 )Dave
 ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: Henrik84
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 19:44
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Holby, I can´t see the picture.
/Henrik ------------- S/Y LaRey Hanse 320 #430 Gothenburg, Sweden |
Posted By: kirkelund
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 20:26
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Hhmm, I also miss the picture, Dave. Would love to see your old flame  Ole. |
Posted By: MarcoC
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 20:26
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After having sailing in our family boat for several years in my teens I did not sail for 25 years something. My wife had never sailed in her life and got laways sea sick when she sat her fot on the diving boats we visited during our trips. So there was really no reason for us to buy a boat at all. But everything changed 2008 when we suddenly out of the blue got the idea of having a boat. We decided to sail Älva from Greifswald as our first sailtrip together and during that trip we learned to rely on each other and on Älva so we will never sell her. Yes, i would like to have a bigger boat so I could stand inside it in my full length but those couple of cm would cost me lot in money and for all the other reasons people have given in this thread when it comes to handling a bigger boat. So I can honestly say that this is the best boat I ever owned in my life. The first and probably the last. ------------- "Älva" Hanse 370#671 Stockholm, Sweden http://www.wesailhanse.se" rel="nofollow - www.wesailhanse.se big wheel, deep draught iron keel, 3 cabins,Yanmar 3JH4E, Sparcraft rig. |
Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 20:46
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Gentlemen, I do not know what the problem is I have tried and tried but I cannot get the problem of the picture sorted.
Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: holby
Date Posted: 02 February 2011 at 21:06
I do not know what is wrong, I can upload the picture and it appears on the post, but then if you refresh the screen, it is no longer there. 
Any ideas, I have cleared my Web History and cookies and still no joy!!
Dave ------------- Hanse 301, tiller steering, Volvo 2010 (10hp)
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Posted By: Miro
Date Posted: 11 February 2011 at 00:18
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I did not read all the replies but I understood the soul of this item . I started with a 7m , 20 year old boat , going through a Marieholm 32 , 12 y old , a new beneteau 32 and a new Hanse 370 to the actual Hanse 400 . Just think : enjoy what you have and don't cry for what you don't have . It only depends on what you want to do with the ship . I was very very very pleased with my 370 Hanse and should not have changed when only sailing on the canal / North sea . But we intend now to go for several months to Denmark , Norway , Iceland , shetland Isles , scotland , Ireland , and then you need some more space . otherwise I should stick to my splendid 370 . But , honest , I enjoy already for 3 years now my Hanse 400. ------------- Zeilertje uit Belgie |
Posted By: Johan Hackman
Date Posted: 28 February 2012 at 19:15
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I think it is time to bring this thread to the surface again. It has been three years since I started it and the question is the same - are you happy with your size of boat? (Or do you want to go bigger, or even smaller?) As this forum has seen a lot of new members joining since I started the thread I think there are more interesting voices to be heard. I have now had my 342 for almost seven years and I still think she is exactly the right size for me and my family. I have the intention to keep Emilia for the rest of my life and I think it will be the perfect size even when I get old and crooked. I however think others will adjust their boat size to their current life situation. I intended to keep my first boat (to the left in the below picture) in order to use her in a creative way, for example ship her abroad, sail her with my daughter when she turns eighteen, or sail on the canals in Europe where Emilia's draught would be a problem. She spent a few years on the hard before I realized that you need to "travel light" in life and I sold her. Se became a burden to me as I saw her degrade in the yard because I did not have the time to take care of her. She is now in the gentle hands of a new owner. The key word in my life is "travel light" though, even if it is hard to follow at times. But enough of me now, any other owner who wants to say anything about their size of boat? Are you happy with it or do you want to change it in the future? Johan  ------------- http://www.johanhackman.se" rel="nofollow - http://www.johanhackman.se |
Posted By: samuel
Date Posted: 29 February 2012 at 10:03
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My first cruiser was a brand new Stella class no 104 ( It was my 21st birthday present) There were about 30 odd on the river Crouch at the time & racing was terrific boat to boat stuff with Burnham week getting at least 30 out for the week with some top sailors using them
Sadly I sold it after 10 years & started crewing other cruisers & then went to dinghies to teach the kids to sail
When they had their 40Th anniversary Richard Mathews Owner of Oyster yachts rebuilt hisfathers old Stella & said that he had as much fun sailing that with his family than he did his Oysters & he had a choice up to 80 ft long
In 1999 I tried to buy my old boat back but the owner would not sell it - It was a mess & I believe it still is!!- He could have got a lot more for it than it was worth if he had asked
Instead I bought No 103 which I had to strip to a bare hull as it was so bad- Things like the chain plates just fell off & it had sunk once
I totally rebuilt it & sheathed it in the west system & 300grm mat over hull & deck
When finished it was exactly like my first one . When the marina launched it they congratulated me as it was the first one they had launched that did not leak
When I sailed it I had not realised how much it threw me about & how many bruises I had endured all those years ago
But my family loved it & that lead to the desire for a new boat
So along came my hanse 311 & I have never regretted it one bit
Mind you if Stella No 102 or 105 came on the market I might be persuaded to go for a running flush just for the joy of sailing one of the nicest boats for its size ever built ------------- Daydream Believer- Hanse 311- No GBR9917T- Bradwell Essex |
Posted By: h315idra
Date Posted: 04 March 2012 at 21:33
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Nice question.
I'm happy with Idra, not only because she is what I can have (now...tomorrow who know?), but because I really think that 315 is the boat of my dreams, because is easy to handle, I can feel her and manage her. She is the dream boat of Jhon Guzzwel: read the end of Trekka around the world, the description of the 'perfect boat': seems the description of a 315 (obv. it seems to me...). She has a lot of comfort (warm pressured water, shower in and outside, etc etc...) Otherwise my mind goes to past years with camping boat and a small sloop of 25' and I feel the need of simplicity, to be closer to sea. At 52 years you would feel more comfortable...but...
Every time I read the words of Lawrence Brown http://www.quietboating.com/small.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.quietboating.com/small.html I realized what I want (perheps...). The natural way is bottom-up, I know, and much depends from your sea, your family your finance etc.... A recipe doesn't exist, but is nice to talk about for hours, why not in front a beer. Two proverbs say "Bigger boat, farthest from the sea" and " What is no there, doesnt fail"
Alessandro ------------- Alessandro Camerini 315#526 Marina di Salivoli, Piombino ITALY |
Posted By: Interlude
Date Posted: 17 March 2012 at 02:28
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Before I bought my 342 I read up on cruising by couples and found that the vast majority settled for 33 to 35 foot boat length based on ease of singlehanding (when the other half is below decks - off watch), and containing maintenance costs. I intend to keep the 342 until one of us dies, hopefully me! When I look at the larger boats I agree they look good, but every foot and kilo adds to heavier handling and increased running costs, and the 342 has adequate accommodation for 2 plus occasional guests, and can handle heavy weather. Clearly others feel differently, as the number of larger Hanses and other brands on the water attests, but each to his own. I must admit that I have added so many minor accessories that the thought of starting over with a new boat is another reason to stay with what I have. BTW, previous history was a 14 ft dinghy, a 17 ft home built trailer sailer, and a 25 ft keel boat (MG Spring).
------------- Interlude 342#241 |