Yachting monthly video on 345

Yes, indeed, and I think that the speaker hits some nails right on the head.

Thanks Martin & Rene,

Fendant wrote: Yes, indeed, and I think that the speaker hits some nails right on the head. I am currently in the process to decide between a Hanse 345 and a Dufour 335.   a) The danger of slipping as shown is real, Dufour has put a Teak rail to exactly avoid that b) The teak board doubling as grib for moving along the deck creates some doubts for me, a    handrail like on the Dufour might be a better solution. In addition it looks funny and is a nest for dirt collection. c) How do you quickly install the ladder on the Hanse bathing platform to get somebody who has fallen overboard in serious weather? The fixed installed ladder on the Dufour seem to be the better solution d) The accessability behind the control panels is neatly solved in the Dufour, the Hanse solution is less than IKEA standard. e) The Dufour has a real clever chart table working area compared to the Hanse A3 size laptop holder platform. f) The short handles at the companionway steps are ok for larger Europeans, Dufour has also thought for the shorter kind of customers below 1.8 m and has installed longer handrails.   Both do not have curved steps in the companionway ; cheap , useable probably on inshore lakes but dangerous in offshore. Not even antislip surface in the Hanse   Hanse ( in 2 cabin version ) on the other hand has the same or more brownie points in other features. It's still a tie situation for me. Dufour is clearly offering hefty discounts for the season 2013. Pre sales service is excellent from both boatyards :) ( ok I write French and German ).   I still don't get the final remark about the little hatch the speaker opens in the fore cabin and comments on the transducer accessability.

Hi Fendant

I think that your comparison is spot on terms of which boat to choose.

Some thoughts

1. The Hanse 345 is not the lightest cruiser around at 6.2 tons versus 5.45 tons of the Dufour 335. However the H345 has a waterline length that is 0.5m longer so the D/L is similar on both boats . H345 is 202 versus the D335 of 208
2. The B/D ratio for the H345 is a good 32.7% versus 28.4%. Both have torpedo keels so the nod must go to Hanse
3. SA/D for H345 with standard ST jib is 16.6 versus D335 of 18.5. The Dufour is lighter and carries slightly more sail

Both boats are very well set up for cruising with fantastic bathing platform, twin wheels, cockpit table etc. The H345 has an adjustable backstay, the D335 does not. The D335 has an innovative pad eye in the cockpit system with attachment points on the coamings, the Hanse does not. The Dufour has a brilliant removable bowsprit. Both boats will be awesome to sail and own.

Design wise, the Dufour is possibly more classic while the Hanse is more aggressive contemporary but both are designed by very well respected NA. The Dufour has a no compromise chart table which I personally like versus the compromise on the Hanse.

Just my opinion of course

Let us know what you finally decide.


Edited by Swanji - 21 January 2013 at 20:21