Design and Construction
The 341 is a monohull cruiser and club racer with a long-waterline, medium-displacement hull and a moderate ballast-to-weight ratio by contemporary standards. The hull is solid fibreglass to the waterline, while the topsides and deck use an end-grain balsa-cored sandwich.
The hull and deck are fibreglassed together and joined with bolts through the toerail. A wide solid fibreglass girder circles the hull to spread local stresses. All bulkheads and furniture are glassed in at the top and bottom.
The standard keel is a cast-iron fin secured by stainless-steel bolts. Shallow-draught lead and lifting-keel options were also available. The very deep rudder, which reaches almost to keel depth, has ample bearing surface and turns on an alloy shaft.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling
The seven-eighths fractional rig uses a deck-stepped, anodised-aluminium Sparcraft mast supported by a stainless-steel kingpost. It has two sets of swept-back spreaders and continuous shrouds tensioned by open-faced rigging screws. The 34.2 sqm battened mainsail uses Rutgerson battcars.
Sail area is generous for the boat’s displacement. The sail plan includes a 34.2 sqm battened mainsail on Rutgerson battcars, a 27.3 sqm self-tacking jib, and a 36 sqm genoa. The resulting high sail-area-to-displacement ratio helps keep the boat quick.
The self-tacking headsail was still rare among production boats of the period and takes much of the effort out of tacking and gybing. Test sailors found the 341 lively and responsive on all points of sail, yet easy for two people to handle under full sail. The self-tacker adds to the boat’s light, almost dinghy-like feel.
However, Boating New Zealand’s testers noted noticeable windward helm that needed rig tuning. They also observed a tendency to round up in strong gusts, with the rudder letting go when the boat was over-canvased.
Accommodation
The standard layout provides two private double cabins. Forward is a long V-berth with a hanging locker and wardrobe; aft to starboard is a quarter double with its own hanging locker. A three-cabin version was also offered.
In the saloon, a U-shaped lounge to starboard surrounds a timber table whose base doubles as a drinks cabinet. A dropleaf was optional. To port, the navigation table sits between two single seats. Saloon headroom is 6ft 3in.
The galley is aft to starboard and includes deep, vertical-sided twin stainless-steel sinks, a two-burner Triton stove-oven, and a 95-litre top-loading fridge. Forward, the head compartment has a separate shower and wet locker.
Joinery is finished in high-gloss, machine-varnished mahogany veneer, with synthetic teak-and-holly flooring. Rattan cupboard doors and standard curtain tracks complete the trim. Yacht and Boat Sales found the interior and trim on the opulent side of comfortable, while describing the boat’s performance and handling as having a real edge.
Equipment and Systems
Standard equipment included:
- A pressurised hot-water system
- Simrad log and depth instruments
- A Plastimo compass
- Lewmar and Gebo hatches
- Harken winches
- A Facnor twinfoil furler on the Dacron headsail
The Volvo Penta MD2020 three-cylinder saildrive sits beneath the companionway. It is rated at 18 hp, though quoted elsewhere as 19 hp, and drives a fixed two-blade propeller; a folding propeller was optional.
A 185-litre polyethylene freshwater tank sits beneath the forward bunk. The stainless-steel fuel tank, fitted with shut-off valves, is under the starboard quarter berth, and the stainless-steel holding tank holds 60 litres. Seacocks use ball valves, while the wiring includes spare leads for additional electronics.
Known Issues
The cockpit has an enclosed transom, so it doesn’t open directly onto the swim platform.
Boating New Zealand’s test also identified windward helm and a tendency to round up in strong gusts, with the rudder letting go if the boat was over-canvased. According to those observations, this was a tuning matter rather than a construction issue.
The Verdict
The Hanse 341 justifies its Yacht-of-the-Year standing by combining a well-structured hull with a self-tacking rig that makes short-handed cruising genuinely easy. At the same time, its high sail-area ratio and responsive helm preserve a racier edge.
Below, it offers comfortable accommodation without giving up the practical tank access and spare wiring capacity that long-term owners value.
Pros
- Self-tacking jib and lazyjack mainsail make two-person sailing effortless
- Robust structure, including glassed-in bulkheads, a chainplate girder, and a through-bolted deck join
- High-gloss interior with good headroom and smart storage
Cons
- Noticeable windward helm and gust-induced rounding-up require active rig tuning
- Enclosed transom limits direct access to the swim platform
- Deep rudder can let go in strong gusts if the boat carries too much sail
