Hull Design and Construction
Judel/vrolijk drew a hull whose form is reminiscent of Hanse's sportier Dehler stable. Above the waterline the hull is foam-cored, transitioning to solid laminate below, while the deck uses balsa coring — a sensible weight distribution that keeps the centre of gravity low without sacrificing stiffness topside. An inner tray moulding forms the saloon seat bases and locates the bulkheads, tying the structure together efficiently. The deep, L-shaped fin keel is secured by nine bolts and carries a cast-iron bulb ballast of approximately 1,310 kg, giving a ballast-to-displacement ratio of just over 30 per cent — modest but adequate for coastal sailing when combined with the boat's relatively light overall displacement of 4,300 kg. A shallow-draft option of 1.40 m is available for sailors working tidal estuaries or shallower anchorages.
Rig, Sailplan and Handling
The 315 is rigged as a fractional sloop with swept-back spreaders, chainplates taken to the toerail, and a mast that rises nearly 14.75 m above the waterline. The headline feature of the sailplan is the standard self-tacking jib, which makes the crew redundant during tacks — a genuine boon for shorthanded sailing. The test boat wore an optional Elvstrom FCL laminate jib with vertical battens near the head, a detail that prevents the upper leech from collapsing and flapping through a range of conditions. A fully-battened mainsail with single-line slab reefing runs on Seldén MDS cars, and the sail area-to-displacement ratio of 23.4 places the boat firmly in the performance coastal cruiser bracket. For reaching and downwind work, an optional 140% genoa or a 63 m² gennaker widens the upwind-focused default package considerably.
Under sail the boat rewarded its testers. Her grip in the water was excellent in Force 4-5 conditions, and only deliberate neglect of the mainsheet — leaving it cleated through a gust — would push the toerail toward the water and provoke gripe. The Jefa steering felt light, silky smooth and responsive, with no slack or feedback delay between wheel inputs and rudder response. Twin wheels are standard fitout, though a tiller remained available for buyers wanting to hold the price down. Under power, the Yanmar 3YM20 saildrive combination produces 21 hp; the distance between saildrive and rudder introduces a predictable lag when manoeuvring under engine that is not a surprise once a skipper learns the boat's rhythm.
Accommodations and Layout
Two interior configurations are offered, and the choice defines the character of the accommodation below. Without the forecabin door, the forward bulkhead is replaced by a wide aperture, opening the interior into a single, light-filled saloon that feels generous for the waterline length. Fit the full bulkhead and door, and the forecabin gains both privacy and cupboard stowage — and, critically, a cleverly engineered three-position berth: a standard V-berth, a single with the port cushion hinged back to reveal a moulded seat, or a shorter double for children by sliding the bunk base under a locker. The aft cabin provides a large athwartships berth measuring at least 1.93 m by 1.65 m.
Headroom in the saloon reaches 1.74 m — acceptable for many sailors, tight for the tallest. Touch-panel light switches that can be programmed or dimmed are carried over from the wider Hanse and Dehler range, a detail unusual at this size. Reading lights on stalks switch between red and white. The port saloon berth at 1.93 m makes a viable sea berth with a leecloth; the starboard berth is shorter at 1.65 m. The heads compartment aft of the companionway is large for the class, moulded in a single GRP piece with an integrated shower tray and a cut-out in the moulding for hanging wet oilskins to drain — a functional touch.
Galley and Chart Table
The L-shaped galley sits to starboard and provides a comfortable working height, in part a consequence of the sunken cabin sole adopted to gain headroom. Its chief weaknesses are limited bench space and the absence of a crash bar at the cooker — accessing the top-opening fridge on a port tack requires leaning against the stove. Fiddled shelves outboard of the stove help, but only just. The chart table offers a working surface of 0.65 m by 0.51 m and can be used seated facing aft or standing facing outboard. A notable detail: wiring inside the switch panel is labelled in plain words rather than numerical codes, which simplifies fault-finding considerably.
Known Issues and Considerations
A handful of ergonomic shortcomings emerged during testing. The cockpit coaming offers limited lateral support, and foot blocks were delivered uninstalled, positioned after purchase to suit each owner. Handrails on the coachroof do not extend far forward, leaving a short but unsupported walk to the mast. The lack of a fold-down transom and aft guardrails on the test boat (fitted later) raised concerns about crew security at the stern. Below, the saloon table is limited in size — suited to four diners rather than five — and a grab handle aft of the chart table at an accessible height was felt to be absent. The single 90 Ah service battery is a thin foundation for boats fitted with modern electronics, and a second battery should be treated as a near-essential addition rather than a luxury option.
Deck Layout and Shorthanded Refit Potential
The deck plan is well-suited to singlehanded or twosome sailing, with halyards and jib sheet led to two Lewmar 40ST winches either side of the companionway. Two additional winches further aft handle a German mainsheet system or offwind sails as options. The cockpit locker to port runs to hull depth; where the aft cabin moulding encroaches, it creates a natural shelf rather than dead space. Sailors wanting to push the boat's capable self-tacking rig toward genuine offshore use would benefit from the German mainsheet or traveller option, a proper crash bar at the galley, and the gennaker for downwind speed. The optional 140% genoa transforms the upwind light-air performance, though it requires conventional crew work at the foredeck during tacks.
The Verdict
The Hanse 315 occupies a sharp position in the 31-foot market: a boat designed from the keel up to be sailed efficiently by a small crew, priced to let options do the customising, and built to a CE Category A ocean standard without overstating its bluewater aspirations. The judel/vrolijk hull punches above its displacement in performance terms, the Jefa steering is genuinely a pleasure to use, and the shorthanded rig makes coastal passages less dependent on crew numbers. Compromises are real but honest — the galley is tight, the standard battery bank is thin, and a few ergonomic details need owner attention after delivery. For a first new boat or a considered downsize, the 315 makes a compelling case.
Pros
- Self-tacking jib standard for easy shorthanded sailing
- Judel/vrolijk hull design delivers strong performance for displacement
- CE Category A ocean certification
- Jefa steering is light and precise at both wheels
- Flexible forecabin with innovative three-in-one berth layout (with bulkhead option)
- Large, well-designed heads compartment with integrated oilskin drainage
- Factory-labelled wiring simplifies electrical maintenance
- Optional shallow keel for tidal waters
Cons
- Galley bench space and stowage are limited; no crash bar at the cooker standard
- Single 90 Ah battery is undersized for modern cruising loads
- Cockpit coaming provides limited lateral support underway
- Handrails on coachroof do not extend far forward toward the mast
- Foot blocks and fold-down transom require owner installation or specification at order
- Saloon table seats four comfortably rather than five
