Hi everyone

My wife and I are new to sailing . I have a little dinghy and flotilla saiiling experience , but my wife hasn't sailed.

We are considering a 2001 301 on offer from the very helpful and friendly Hanse ,agent for use pleasure on Windermere. It's been well used but is fully loaded having been based on W coast of Scotland for a year.

I know you're all biased (!), but what are the pro's and cons of this model compared with the competition for lake sailing?

Also, we want to fit a cockpit table. Is this possible?

Advice, tips and comments welcome.

As a dinghy sailor you will love the 301 she is fast , responsive and easy to sail, an ideal first time buy. The down side is space, she is not a roomy 30 footer, but you will have to ask yourself what you want. Unless money is no object there will always be a compromise.

Good luck and go for the 301 I have had mine for 2 and a half years and have not regretted buying it for one minute.

Regards,

Richard.

Dear Richard

Many thanks for your prompt and helpful reply. Glad to hear you have no regrets about your Hanse.

We'll 'take on board 'what you say !

Paul,

I would concur with Richard, I have had my 300 since late 2003 - among the primary aims I had was to find a boat that performed well but was still easy to sail and manageable single handed if need be. I've not been dissapointed; the tall rig provides plenty of power in most cases and the self tacker makes life really easy.

You really can sail this boat alone and allow your wife to relax and take it easy. If you want more performance then fit a genoa - I've not bothered and am very happy with what I have.

You can sail it rather like a dinghy - shove the helm hard over and it spins on a sixpence and no heaving and hauling with the self tacker. It is also very predictable under power - holds its line at low revs and can be controlled going astern - not something that you want want to do in many yachts of this size!

We've sailed safely through rough seas and winds of upto nearly 40 knots - no problems as long as you reef early.

Yes as Richard says a little more space down below would be handy sometimes but this has not been a problem for us.

Id have no hesitation in recommending the 300/301. Id also have no hesitation in buying another Hanse as and when the opportunity comes along.

regards

Graham

Graham / Paul

Great to read of your enthusiasm, it's very encouraging.

We've seen a couple more examples advertised in the yachting press and intend take a look at them soon.

We'll keep you all posted.

Thanks again.

Hello Paul,

Sorry to be late adding my bit but really just go along with the others.

We are not racers but cruise in the Fal Estuary and round about which can get a bit busy so the self tacker is great for getting out of the way of gin palaces etc where you have to. I had a Hunter Horizon 23 before which also sailed well but the Hanse is much better balanced and is very easily handled in the marina. The Hunter was a b**** and refused to go backwards in a straight line under any circumstances.

Pro's of the 301... value for money, fast, easy to sail, good resale and very well built. Lots of admiring comments in the marina, a pretty boat indeed.

Con's....Heads rather small, not great headroom but again not that bad - I am 6 foot by the way.

Would I change her....I am now a firm Hanse fan, a 312 would be nice although I think the 301 is better looking, but as already mentioned the price difference is huge.

I am sure if you asked this question on a Hunter/Bavaria/Beneteau site they would say get a H/B/B etc but I have yet to meet a Hanse owner who is NOT happy and that says a lot.

There is also a great spirit amongst owners, the other day we happened across another 301 "Dragonfly" who was touring our area and of course we immediately swapped notes and left with a smile. That doesn't happen with a more common boat!

Whatever you decide the Hanse will not disaapoint but anyway enjoy your sailing and let us know what happens!!

Kind regards

David S

Morgelyn

hi, my 301 is for sale, she's we'll spec'd and has a nice set of racing sails to boot. fin keel, 20 hp engine, folding prop, spectra halyards, the wrks!

lovely boats, very fast if pushed, loves a nice overlapping racer genny!

beowulf

Hi to all those Hanse owners who posted comments and advice.

Well , we're now the proud owners of Hanse 301/200 'Lady Antelope' which we've just re-located from Christchurch onto Windermere.

We're absolutely delighted with her and can't wait to get her out there on the lake.

Many thanks to you for your helpful advice.

Doubless there'll be plenty of traffic on this site as we get to know her.