Design and Construction
The 350's hull uses very short overhangs and a wide beam to generate interior volume, with the beam carried all the way aft to produce a very broad transom. At 11 feet 6 inches of beam on a 34'4" length on deck and a 31'5" waterline, the length-to-beam ratio is a stocky 3.01, and the displacement-to-length ratio sits at 182 on a measured displacement of 12,672 lbs with 4,068 lbs of ballast. The max depth of the canoe body is well aft of the fin, a shape that pairs with a standard 6-foot-1-inch T-configuration fin and bulb or a 4-foot-7-inch shoal fin with a bulbish tip. Large fixed ports in the hull sides bring light into the interior, a deliberate move toward the bright, open cabin feel the design brief pursued.
Rig and Handling
Above the deck the 350 carries a conventional fractional rig with double swept spreaders angled 19.5 degrees. The sail plan is moderate rather than racy: sail area is 629 square feet and the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is a calm 18.52. The mainsheet traveler sits forward of the companionway and even forward of the midboom position, with the main's roach just kissing the backstay. The jib can be self-tacking to a track ahead of the mast, and that track permits a tight 10-degree sheeting angle; for more options there are also jib tracks on the side decks. Halyards lead aft to winches flanking the companionway, keeping the cockpit clear. The cockpit itself has a wide helm seat aft, with the coamings cut down at the wheel so the helmsman sits comfortably outboard, and the center section of the helm seat is removable for stern boarding.
Accommodations
Below, the 350 can be had with two staterooms or three, the three-cabin version using mirror-image double quarterberths aft. The head can be placed aft in the two-stateroom layout, or forward with either the two- or three-stateroom arrangement, giving buyers a choice in how the private spaces are divided. The large hull-side ports noted in the construction section do real work here, lighting the saloon and berths in a way that supports the boat's coastal-cruiser brief.
Equipment and Power
The auxiliary is a Yanmar 3YM20 rated at 21 horsepower, paired with 29 gallons of fuel and 68 gallons of water. Those figures suit a coastal program more than long passages, and the modest engine reflects the design's intent as a comfortably equipped weekend and summer-cruising boat rather than a heavy-displacement voyager.
The Verdict
The Hanse 350 is a purpose-built coastal cruiser that trades racing edge for volume, light, and easy handling. Its broad transom and short overhangs create a roomy, modern interior, while the fractional rig with self-tacking jib and companionway-led halyards keeps short-handed sailing manageable. The shoal-draft option extends its reach into thinner water without abandoning the bulb-keel stability concept.
Pros
- Wide beam carried aft yields exceptional interior volume for the length
- Self-tacking jib and aft-led halyards simplify cockpit workflow
- Large fixed hull ports make the cabin bright and open
- Two- or three-cabin and forward or aft head layouts offer real buyer choice
Cons
- Moderate sail-area-to-displacement ratio limits light-air spark
- 21-hp auxiliary and 29-gallon fuel capacity suit coastal use, not heavy voyaging
- Standard draft of 6'1" limits very shallow anchoring without the shoal option
