Hanse 311 Review

I ran a charter on a 2005 Hanse 311 a few
days ago. This is my 80th different boat type
sailed--only 20 more to go to hit 100!

Specs on the boat:
LOA: 31'
LWL: 26.5'
Beam: 10.5'
Draft: 4.6' or 5.75'
Ballast: 3080 or 2750 lbs
Displacement: 8500 lbs
Headroom: 6'

It seemed like there was more headroom than what
is listed here. Based on how it sailed I'll guess it
was the 5.75' 2750 lb version.

Pros:
1. Self tending jib-a breeze to sail this boat solo.
2. Dutchman-mainsail system-very easy to use.
3. Large lazarettes. Tons of storage! One of these was
accessible from below via a door from the head. There
was plenty of room to install other goodies on the boat.
4. Good pointing, excellent performance under sail.
5. Excellent maneuverability under sail or power.
Single lever controls for throttle and transmission.
Adequate power. The boat moved fast on low throttle
setting. I did not open it up. Not a slow motoring boat!
6. Nice interior layout for a boat this size. Overall
quality of the interior was excellent.
7. Rigging was nice. Lines lead aft to either side of
the companionway through good quality rope clutches.
The winches were easy to operate and had a full
360 deg swing without any interference.

Cons

1. No Traveller-main sheet hooked to pad-eye
on the middle of the cockpit in a place that would
have been perfect for a cooler. I placed the cooler
in a spot that was closer to the companionway, and
it was in the way. Is no traveller better than a crappy
traveler? Yes. Still it is would be nice to have a
traveller on the boat.

Solution: One or two smaller coolers and perhaps
A big one that could be dropped into a a lazarette.
Or better yet, put the traveler up above the cockpit
in a arch.

2. Arched cabin house was hard to walk on, did
not provide good seating either. Diamnond pattern
was sharp and hard on bare feet. I was sorry I took
off my sandals!

Solution is hardly practical--change the yacht design.

3. Too small a cockpit. This boat was crowded
with six passengers and a Captain. The cockpit was
sized right for two couples and perhaps a few kids.
People will move out onto the cabin top which is not
comfortable either. The wheel was in the way.

Solution: Buy one with a tiller.

4. No seating on the aft pushpit.

Solution: A couple of seats back there would have
made the cockpit much more usable.

I did not get a chance to use the galley, or tear the
whole boat apart. I suspect it needs a small amount
of upgrading in some areas. I suspect it needs a
bigger battery bank.

Overall, I liked the boat, at about 1/2 the cost of
a Hanse 400, this is one of the nicest 31 footer's
I've sailed. It is comfortable for up to four adults
for a week, or fine for a family. Performance was
excellent. I think it would leave many other boats
in it's class--in the dust. It was probably the easiest
charter I've run, with the self tending jib eliminating
all the work when sailing upwind.

I'd recommend the boat. I think it is one of the
better deals at under $100,000. I think it will hold
up well in resale value also.

Bart