Sailboat Hanse 348 for sale

A family cruiser with sporty features: the Hanse 348

The market for sailing yachts around 11 metres in length is highly competitive. This is where you’ll find the greatest overlap between interested customers and those with the budget to spend. For a 35-foot yacht built for you from scratch at a shipyard, you should set aside a budget of between € 230,000 and € 330,000, because, as with everything, whilst competition between shipyards is very fierce and the boats are very similar (including in terms of price), there are numerous ways to increase the cost of the yachts by adding more or less equipment, which is why these price fluctuations arise.

The 11-metre sailing boat segment is also the first yacht size for which there are virtually no restrictions on sailing areas: you can sail these boats just as easily in the Baltic Sea as in the IJsselmeer, along the Atlantic coast or throughout the Mediterranean. What’s more, 35 feet is the first boat size that is also of interest to charter fleet operators: their high demand therefore brings in additional customers, whom the shipyards would be keen to attract.

Consequently, unlike with the smaller 30-footers, all the major series-production shipyards are once again competing in this segment with their own models: Beneteau is entering the Oceanis 34.1 into the fray, Jeanneau has the Sun Odyssey 350, the Dufour 37 comes from La Rochelle, and Bavaria even has two models: the ‘classic’ Bavaria Cruiser 34, or the newly designed Bavaria C38. So, in the truest sense of the phrase, you are spoilt for choice.

The design of the Hanse 348

If you ask a professional yacht adviser or dealer to work out the costs of your dream yacht(s) based on the same specifications, you’ll find that the final budgets for the boats aren’t actually all that different. This is reassuring for the budget-conscious buyer, as it means you can focus entirely on choosing your new boat not based on the purchase price, but on whether you (and your family) like it, whether its sailing characteristics suit you and whether it offers the right level of comfort. The major mass-market manufacturers may not differ greatly in terms of price, but they certainly do in the character and ‘focus’ of their products. This is all, of course, very subjective, but from our point of view, it could be broken down as follows:

Beneteau sees itself as at the forefront of the sailing industry: it is no coincidence that the Oceanis is the world’s most successful cruising yacht. The boats sail superbly and offer a very modern, functional atmosphere with that certain French charm. Jeanneau is the polar opposite: slightly more conservative, particularly on the inside, slightly more spacious and therefore slightly more comfortable than its sister brand; the larger Sun Odyssey models, in particular, are better suited to holidays and the charter market. With Dufour, sailing performance used to be the main focus, but for the past 10 years or so, the sailing yachts have been consistently geared towards comfort, comfort, comfort. The boats offer an enormous (!) amount of space, particularly inside. The latest models from 44 feet upwards feature a very modern design and offer a ‘surprising’ interior atmosphere – yachts for individualists and people who want to make a statement. Last but not least, Bavaria from Giebelstadt: the Cruiser range is the classic. Although technically outdated, these boats still enjoy great popularity, particularly due to their very balanced sailing characteristics and the feeling of ‘sailing like in the old days’. The exact opposite is the new C-line by Maurizio Cossutti: very angular, very modern, very wide and very luxurious. And where does Hanse stand?

Hanse Yachts has always been synonymous with solid German build quality at a good price. The boats are generally designed for good sailing performance, whilst the new range designed by Olivier Racoupeau (though not the Hanse 348) is geared even more towards comfort and luxury. Which brings us to the 348.

Modern design: one of the last by Judel/Vrolijk

Judel/Vrolijk, who served as the Greifswald-based company’s in-house architects until 2022, developed the Hanse 348 in 2018. It is therefore still very much regarded as a modern design, although a bird’s-eye view of the hull shape reveals that this concept is becoming somewhat ‘dated’. The hull tapers slightly towards the stern, which in itself is good for upwind performance, though this can also be achieved nowadays through chine (edge profiles). This is because the most modern boats (Oceanis, Sun Odyssey, Dufour) allow the maximum hull width to run all the way to the stern, which in turn produces particularly voluminous and large aft compartments.

Don’t worry, the two aft cabins (or the single aft cabin) on the Hanse 348 are still large enough to offer up to two people a comfortable berth each, but it is precisely here at the stern that, when making a direct comparison, you will notice how modern hull design can create extra space and, consequently, a greater sense of space and comfort.

The Hanse 348 is instantly recognisable: the sharply cut bow, the distinctive superstructure with its two large windows, and the stern, which is closed off high by the swim platform, make it instantly identifiable. The design remains modern even today and is likely to remain so for a few more years. It is not yet clear whether, or if so when, Hanse Yachts will replace the 348 (and its smaller sister model, the 315) with Racoupeau’s latest designs.

As a sailor, you can’t go wrong with the Hanse 348!

This boat is one of the bestsellers in the 35-foot segment. If you’re looking to buy a yacht with 2 cabins (owner’s version) or 3 cabins for the whole family, one that offers a comfortable sailing experience with excellent performance, yet also has everything on board you need for a successful sailing holiday, then the shipyard and dealers might just provide that final incentive at the next boat show through the discount schemes – feared and frowned upon in the industry, but naturally very popular with customers (keyword: ‘Early Bird’) – to encourage you to snap up this boat. The 348 is a solid, good-sailing and easy-to-handle cruising yacht, suitable for solo sailing as well as for the whole family.

Buying a Hanse 348 – Hull, design, construction & sail plan

Experts in yacht building: Where the Hanse 348 comes from

Hanse Yachts is based in the lovely little town of Greifswald, right on the Baltic Sea. Unlike most (all, to be precise!) mass-production shipyards, as a buyer you can literally take delivery of your new Hanse (or Dehler and Moody) right at the Hanse quay and set sail straight away. This is, of course, a major advantage for all customers wishing to sail in the Baltic Sea, as it saves on the not inconsiderable transport costs involved in shipping the boat here from the French shipyards on the Atlantic coast – or allows you to invest that portion of your budget in one or two smart extras from the price list.

The Hanse shipyard is one of the newest and most modern production facilities for series-produced boats. However, Hanse has outsourced the lamination of hull and deck sections to Poland, just a few kilometres away: at Hanse’s own GRP shipyard, the lower labour and energy costs are utilised to the full. The empty hulls are then transported the short distance to Greifswald, where the yachts are fitted out and assembled.

The Hanse 348 is built using the classic hand-lay-up method, both for the hull and the deck. Other manufacturers, such as Dufour, already use the significantly higher-quality vacuum infusion process even for their smaller yachts; most mass-production manufacturers at least use vacuum infusion for the deck. At Hanse, the hull is solidly laminated down to the waterline, whilst above that a sandwich structure is used, with a balsa core. The deck is also laminated by hand. The result is a rigid and robust structure, which is, however, somewhat heavier than other boats of the same size: the Hanse 348 weighs 6.7 tonnes when empty – the Oceanis 34.1, by comparison, weighs just 5.5 tonnes. In Greifswald, this extra weight is offset by a beautiful, tall rig with a correspondingly large sail area – so as a sailor, you won’t notice this as a disadvantage whilst underway. An interesting detail: Hanse has fitted the 348’s hull with a first GRP layer made from expensive vinyl ester resin, which contributes significantly to osmosis resistance. Below this, standard polyester resin is used.

Who is the Hanse 348 best suited to as a sailing boat?

The 11-metre boat class is still regarded as particularly compact, easy to sail and well suited to solo sailing even in challenging situations (both in harbour and at sea). Although you can fit your Hanse 348 with a bow thruster, its compact size doesn’t really require one. So if you want to sail single-handed or enjoy a holiday as a couple, an 11-metre boat like the Hanse 348 is actually perfect: The sailing deck is large enough to cover good daily distances – making it a true cruising yacht – and the comfort below deck, in both the 2-cabin and 3-cabin versions, offers plenty of space for storage or guests.

The Hanse 348 is also very well suited as a family boat. The number of cabins – and therefore the number of berths available – is ideal for a family with up to two children (if each child, for example a teenager, wants or needs their own cabin). As a three-cabin yacht, you’re also always prepared for surprise visitors on board and can offer them their own berth without having to resort to the makeshift solution in the saloon. The only drawback: the Hanse 348 is only available with one toilet/bathroom, which you’d all have to share. Other manufacturers do offer layouts with two bathrooms, though this usually comes at the expense of cabin size.

The cockpit is very spacious and comfortable; I particularly like the high-quality cockpit table. The large bathing platform at the stern has high sides – ensuring safety for young children or pets on board! – and converts into a swimming jetty when at anchor. A brilliant holiday yacht, then.

A high-performance sail plan – the Hanse 348 really packs a punch!

Hanse has always placed great importance on boats that sail well and, above all, perform equally well on all wind courses. This has changed slightly with the latest Racoupeau designs, which are clearly geared more towards Mediterranean cruising (i.e. optimised for close-hauled and downwind sailing), however, the Hanse 348 is still a Judel/Vrolijk design and, thanks to its slender profile, hull shape and rather sharp bow section, sails very well even close to the wind.

The Hanse 348 features the typical self-tacking jib measuring 22 square metres, which can be combined with a furling mainsail (31.5 sq m) or – the better choice! – a classic fully battened mainsail (34 sq m). This gives it a maximum total upwind sail area of just under 66 square metres on the mast. By way of comparison, the Oceanis 34.1 achieves 63 square metres in the ‘First Line’ combination (though it is over 1 tonne lighter than the 348). We would therefore rank the Hanse 348 amongst the more exciting and high-performing yachts in this class from a sailing perspective. This is supported by the single-rudder steering system typical of Hanse yachts (via twin wheels), which provides the helmsman with slightly more feedback and also offers advantages when manoeuvring in harbour. The Hanse 348 is particularly lively and agile in moderate winds, but in light or light-to-moderate winds it urgently needs more sail area: we strongly recommend ordering the gennaker/Code 0 kit and sails for this yacht so that the diesel engine can be kept off for as long as possible.

Easy to sail: the cockpit of the Hanse 348

We’ve already discussed the space and comfort in the cockpit for guests on board: the benches are nice and long, and the coaming is high enough to provide sufficient safety when the boat is heeling, as well as serving as a comfortable backrest. The shipyard has taken particular care with the cockpit table – an aspect that is sometimes rather neglected by other manufacturers.

The cockpit is designed with sailors in mind, prioritising ergonomics, ease of use and good accessibility. The skipper has plenty of space behind the steering wheels. Even those with long legs won’t find themselves cramped: whether sitting on the helmsman’s seats or on the coaming at the sides, everything is very comfortable and offers a good view.

The layout of the winches takes a bit of getting used to. Hanse has removed the working winches from either side of the companionway and relocated them to the coaming, roughly in the aft third of the cockpit. Advantage: no more lines on the companionway or in the guest area. The downside is that on the Hanse 348, the genoa winches (used here for gennaker sheets) are positioned in front of the working winches and mounted on a stainless-steel platform, which, unfortunately, looks a bit cheap and makeshift. All lines – from halyards to reefing lines, and the sheets for the jib and mainsail – then run under this platform towards the stern to the working winches. This is a bit unorthodox, but you certainly get used to it. Incidentally, you’ll find this same setup on the Hanse 360 ST as well – so it seems to be well received, at least by Hanse.

As mentioned, all the lines (most of which are concealed) are routed aft, which keeps the cockpit clear. As the helmsman, however, you cannot reach the winches directly from behind the steering wheel, so you always have to switch to autopilot and then move to the front of the wheel if you want to trim or reef the sails.

Overall, however, everything is designed for ‘easy sailing’; if you were to choose the battened mainsail version, we would recommend opting for at least the Hanse 348’s electric halyard winch. Incidentally, this is also worth doing if you have a furling mainsail, as it then allows you to reef it under load without having to turn into the wind.

Buying a Hanse 348 – All the information for skippers and sailors

Off to new horizons: the Hanse 348 as a cruising yacht

Everything on board the yacht – particularly in the 2-cabin owner’s version – is designed with cruising in mind. This boat is made for the open sea. The high-performance rig, direct steering and ease of handling ensure high daily mileages even on longer sailing trips; the Hanse 348 is a pleasure to sail in all wind conditions and handles waves well, particularly the ‘Baltic chop’. There are boats in the 11-metre class that offer greater comfort and thus outdo this boat in terms of on-board luxury whilst at anchor or in holiday destinations – but when it comes to sailing performance and practicality, the competition is few and far between; in fact, we really only see the Oceanis 34.1 as a match. Are you looking to buy a sailing boat? The Hanse 348 should be right at the top of your list.

Buy a Hanse 348 – comfort, below deck

What does the Hanse 348 have to offer inside?

As is typical for this class, the quality of the fit and finish and the build of the fittings are of a high standard on the Hanse. Naturally, with a mass-produced boat – especially one of this small size – you cannot expect too many luxuries or extras. Nevertheless, the interior of the Hanse 348 is solidly built. The galley, in particular, is always well-built on Hanse boats: Corian worktops and good-quality fittings are standard here.

As for the woodwork, the veneer quality on the interior is generally good, with the occasional nice touch here and there. However, there are still no solid wood sections or square-edged timbers in the high-wear areas, such as table corners or edges that you have to brush past constantly. Much like Beneteau, Hanse opts here for inexpensive edge banding, which, whilst very easy to repair yourself, is a nuisance when it wears out. That said, the extremely attractive price of this sailing boat has to come from somewhere, doesn’t it?

The boat’s fittings are well-made and of a perfectly decent standard, whereas those from other manufacturers are sometimes noticeably cheaper. What we find a shame – though it’s quite normal in this class of boat – is the lack of ceiling panels. The bare GRP surface not only looks cheap, but with certain colour combinations it can make the saloon feel noticeably ‘chiller’. What we do really like, however, are the numerous windows and hatches: there is plenty of fresh air and, above all, natural light. The Hanse 348 is the first yacht in the range to feature saloon hull windows, which further enhance the atmosphere considerably. Unfortunately, these have not yet been fitted in the forward cabin, which consequently has a somewhat ‘cell-like’ feel to it. More on that later.

Thinking of buying a Hanse 348? Two layouts are enough.

The Hanse 348 comes as standard with three cabins and a toilet/shower room on the port side. This shower room is then shared equally by the occupants of all three cabins, which can get rather cramped. As part of the bathroom now serves as a passageway to the port aft cabin, you have to shower in the toilet cubicle. It works fine, but it’s not exactly ‘luxurious’. The ‘owner’s version’ of the 348, which has only two cabins, offers a better solution.

The port-side cabin is being converted to make way for a huge, very practical storage locker and a large, extended XXL bathroom. Here, you can finally have a shower in a large, separately partitioned space without having to flood the whole bathroom.

It is a bit of a shame that, in the 2-cabin version, the aft longitudinal bulkhead – which separates the two areas in the direction of travel – is not shifted to port. Other manufacturers do this, thereby creating even more sleeping space in the remaining aft cabin. Hanse retains the symmetrical partition in both versions; the aft cabin does not increase in size accordingly.

A classic saloon with a lovely, spacious galley.

Even if you tend to eat out more often at restaurants onshore or in the marinas, a well-equipped galley is essential on a cruising yacht. The Hanse 348 features a classic L-shaped galley, fully equipped with all the necessary components: a gas hob with oven (2-burner), two fridges (one top-loading and one with a side door), as well as plenty of storage space in numerous compartments. There is ample worktop space; placing the Corian lids on the large, two-part sink significantly expands the workspace even further. A hatch provides a supply of fresh air, whilst the proximity to the entrance bulkhead allows fumes to dissipate quickly.

The saloon is very well designed: whilst on board the smaller Hanse 318 we criticised the ‘cold’ feel caused by the many white panelled surfaces, this saloon feels ‘warmer’ and offers more storage space. The hull windows mentioned earlier create excellent light, enhanced by the large windows in the deckhouse and the two large skylights, which can even be opened: the height of summer? No problem!

On the port side is a long sofa that comfortably seats two adults and can accommodate up to four adults when seated. Facing away from the direction of travel, the small navigation corner for the skipper – featuring the main control panel and chart table – is mounted here on the bathroom bulkhead. An option without the navigation corner but with an extended sofa would be an interesting prospect, particularly for the charter market. Opposite this is the U-shaped sofa on the starboard side: thick seat cushions and backrests, a simple yet spacious cockpit table – and the intimate atmosphere is perfect. We think the saloon has turned out really well!

A bit chilly, but lovely and spacious: the cabins of the Hanse 348

In our view, the absence of hull windows and any wooden features has made the owner’s cabin in the foredeck, in particular, feel a little ‘cold’. The abundance of white surfaces fails to create a particularly cosy atmosphere; at times, it feels rather like being in a doctor’s consulting room or a prison cell … Hanse could certainly have put a bit more effort into the interior design here. Furthermore, when the door is open, you look straight out of the saloon onto a pure white wall. Other manufacturers create far cosier and more pleasant interiors in their fore-cabin areas (for example, with attractive double doors and more wood inlays). Here, the Hanse 348 feels very cold. That said, in terms of space and storage, there’s nothing to fault up here. The large V-shaped bed is wide and long enough for two adults. Things are lovely and cosy in the aft cabins: here, the shipyard has used significantly more wood, which reduces the amount of white plastic surfaces.

An astonishing amount of creative freedom

Unlike most mass-production boatbuilders, Hanse offers a wide range of options for customising the look of your 348, including different types of wood, floor colours and the colours and materials of the upholstery. As a result, your yacht can have a thoroughly modern look in grey, white and black, or follow current trends with light oak and earthy colours. Sailors with a more traditional taste can also opt for red mahogany. This is surprising, as with smaller boats in particular, offering too many options is often not worthwhile for boatbuilders: Hanse seems to be the exception here, which we think is brilliant!

Summary and conclusion

Is the Hanse 348 your next sailing boat?

If you’re looking to buy a yacht on which you can enjoy wonderful sailing holidays, yet also cover nautical miles at a brisk pace when needed, then in our view the Hanse 348 offers a lovely, balanced blend of easy-to-handle sailing performance and on-board comfort. Even though the 2018 Judel/Vrolijk design no longer reflects the latest hull design trends, the 348 proudly carries plenty of sail area in the wind and impresses ambitious sailors with its great agility.

Below deck, the boat has many different looks, with the wide range of design options coming into its own particularly in the saloon. The forward cabin feels a bit cold, but the galley is exemplary.

Buying a Hanse 348 on the second-hand market

With a production run of 8 years, there should be a correspondingly wide range of options available for those interested in second-hand boats. The selection ranges from older vessels (bargains) to newer second-hand boats that are virtually as good as new. As always when considering second-hand boats, check the VAT status and clarify whether the boat can be used for charter operations.

It is also worth noting that the Hanse 348 (along with the smaller Hanse 315) is the last sailing yacht in the shipyard’s current range that has not yet been redesigned by Olivier Racoupeau: as things stand, it is not clear whether or when a new model will be introduced. If this were to happen, it could lead to a fall in value, particularly for the new boats, but it would also offer the chance to snap up the last remaining build slots for the 348 at a special price. It is worth keeping an eye on the sailing news for updates. At present, however, as mentioned, this is not foreseeable.

Buying a Hanse 348 – What we particularly like about it:

• High rig and agile sailing characteristics.
• A pleasantly spacious cockpit for a boat of this size.
• A lovely, cosy lounge with plenty of scope for creative design.

Buying a Hanse 348 – Here’s what you should look out for:

• The layout of the ropes and winches in the cockpit takes a bit of getting used to.
• The forward cabin feels bare and ‘cold’.
• Only 1 bathroom is available in all versions.

Further reviews and test reports: