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Boat Speed for 311

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 311 / 312 / 315
Forum Description: 311 / 312 / 315 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=57
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 01:44
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Boat Speed for 311

Posted By: mqh7
Subject: Boat Speed for 311
Date Posted: 30 March 2004 at 15:44

I would like to know what type of boat speed others are getting from their 311/312 boats. When my boat was commissioned it was painted by a local boat yard, who was the dealer for Hanse at the time. I could never go over 5.8 to 6.0 knots in any conditions. I just had my 311 painted at another yard and they said the previous paint job was terrible. They wet sanded the boat and painted it properly and now I can hit over 7 knots and I am sure I can go faster. I hit 7 knots on a broad reach in 20 knots of wind and I think I can get close to 8 knots if I trim the sails rights.

Now, I do have the EAST sails and people seem to think they are bad. In another posting on this BBS I did ask if I go to a better jib will I get better boat speed.

Thanks. ;

Matt

Replies:

Posted By: Mr HTG
Date Posted: 31 March 2004 at 14:09

Hi Matt,

A new jib will not better your top speed (or theoretical boat speed) which is a function of your water-length and hull shape. The theoretical boat speed for Hanse 311 is 6.9kn and therefore with your 7.0kn you are already there. The only time you will increase this is above 7.5kn is when you are either surfing or running down-wind with spinnaker / asymmetric etc. However, you will increase your boat speed in less windy conditions by a certain %age. Buying a sophisticated jib (load map cuts and synthetic cloths) should increase your boat speed by no less than 0.5kn throughout your wind speeds (from nearly no difference in very light winds to app. 1.0kn in heavy wind).

For our boat we are looking at target speeds from top end Force 3 to top end Force 5 of:

Close Hauled: 6.3kn

Fetch: 6.5kn

Reach (white sails): 6.8kn

But don’t forget this is fully crewed and these are target speeds not top speeds and are based on racing sails.

Other ways of increasing speed could be folding prop? hard antifouling? Genoa for light air?

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Mr HTG