At just under 37 feet, with a 32-foot waterline, the 371 displaces 13,117 pounds on a beam of nearly 12 feet. Its bulb keel carries 4,949 pounds of lead ballast, for a ballast-displacement ratio of 37.7. Practical Sailor found the boat reminiscent of the moderate, seakindly designs associated with the East Coast establishment. The visual cues support that view: a traditional sailplan, elevated cabin trunk, flat sheer, reverse transom with an opening, and a sporty, near-plumb bow.
Design and Construction
Hanse built the hulls in a female mold, using isophthalic polyester resins throughout the laminate. Notably, the builder did not use vinylester resin. The topsides have a 22-mm balsa core, while the keel and through-hull zones use 25–35 mm of solid glass.
Inside, a solid-fiberglass fishbone structure is bonded to the hull. Each bulkhead is bonded to the hull on both sides and to the deck on one side, which the builder described as producing an extreme structure. The hull-deck joint consists of an inward flange bonded with Sikaflex. An aluminum toerail, set about an inch inboard, spreads the load through stainless bolts and backing plates.
The keel combines an upper iron casting with a lower lead bulb. Eleven bolts locate it in the hull, with three more binding the bulb to the shaft. In a grounding, the design allows up to 1.5 centimeters of aft movement to spare the hull. The boats were built to CE Standard A for the high seas.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The Hanse 371 carries a 9/10 fractional rig with two sets of swept spreaders, wire standing rigging, and shrouds based at the cabin side. Z-Spar supplied the spars until 2001, when Isomat took over.
A full-battened mainsail and self-tending furling jib were standard. The jib reflected the design intention to sail without overlapping headsails, though an inboard track allows a larger genoa if desired. Sheets lead aft to stoppers.
The mid-boom mainsheet runs on a 42-inch coachroof track forward of the companionway. The builder called this an accommodation for cruisers rather than an arrangement aimed at peak performance. A later owner can move the traveler to the cockpit if performance matters more than keeping the seats clear.
A split backstay leaves the stern entry unobstructed, though there’s no adjuster to regulate headstay tension. Test sailors found the 371 light on the helm and buoyant, and it tacked easily with the self-tending jib. It sailed fastest at 12–15 degrees of heel and, with its Saildrive and high-aspect rudder, turned within a boatlength.
In 8–10 knots, the boat made 5–7 knots upwind. In 25-plus, it bore away to 9 knots and could spin through 360 degrees in little more than its own length. The 30-horsepower diesel drove it to just short of 7 knots at wide-open throttle.
Cockpit and Deck Details
The forward port cockpit locker has no drain and can be accessed only through its lid. The emergency tiller is just 21 inches long and faces aft, giving little leverage unless rigged with a block and line.
Accommodations
Below, mahogany veneer over plywood and foam-cored panels finishes a saloon measuring 11 feet along the centerline and 8 feet wide. The interior has a teak-and-holly sole and cane-faced locker doors for ventilation. Headroom exceeds 6 feet throughout.
Yachting World noted the red-stained, high-gloss mahogany and white bulkheads. Interior mouldings appear only in the ends and heads, while the joinery is bonded to a framed hull.
The galley is to starboard at the foot of the companionway. It includes a two-burner gimbaled stove, a 16-by-20-inch counter, and a double sink. A switch at the top of the companionway stairs turns on the galley light.
A C-shaped settee converts into an 8-by-4-foot bunk. A freestanding 28-inch table serves for chart work, cocktails, and dining. The head is a 3-by-4-foot compartment accessible only from the saloon.
Forward, the skipper’s berth is at least 6 feet long and comfortably wide enough for two. Aft, there’s an oversized double measuring 6 feet 6 inches by 6 feet. Hanse resisted adding a third stateroom to the standard configuration, but options included a separate shower, a second aft cabin, or a workshop locker.
Testers noted too few handholds along the main route between the compression post and galley.
Machinery, Systems, and Ownership
The standard Volvo 2030 Saildrive was being replaced by the Yanmar 3GM30 on later boats. Access to the engine, systems, and tanks was reported as generally good—and better than on the smaller Hanse 315. The standard engine compartment is lined with sound-deadening material, which allowed the crew to speak normally while under power.
Removable door hinges make winter storage easier.
Finish and Known Issues
Yachting World’s inspectors found rough edges and dry mat in hidden corners, along with a ripply outer hull finish in places.
Other shortcomings include the poorly leveraged emergency tiller, the lack of a backstay adjuster, too few handholds between the compression post and galley, and the undrained forward port cockpit locker.
Verdict
The Hanse 371 is a thoughtfully modern cruiser that trades some finish polish for volume, easy shorthanded handling, and a stiff, quick hull. It should suit a couple or singlehander who wants to make progress without needing a crowd on the rail.
Pros
- Seakindly, moderate hull with clean lines and a slippery shape
- Self-tacking jib and sheets led aft for natural shorthanded sailing
- Bulb keel with grounding tolerance
- CE Standard A certification for the high seas
- Roomy two-stateroom layout with a convertible settee and options for more accommodation
Cons
- Polyester-only laminate and rough finishing noted in hidden corners
- No backstay adjuster
- Emergency tiller offers little leverage without additional rigging
- Too few handholds along the main accommodation route
