Design and Construction
Magnusson specified hand-laid fiberglass, with sandwich construction for both hull and deck, and finished the interior with mahogany joinery. The redesigned, buoyant transom and removal of the Scanmar 33’s hull portlights were deliberate measures to increase stiffness.
The 345 displaces 11,023 pounds, including 4,299 pounds of iron ballast, for a ballast ratio of 39 percent. Its 11-foot-1-inch beam and 3.12 length-to-beam ratio give it a stable, roomy footprint without pushing it into heavy-cruiser territory. Wetted surface is 34 m², keeping the boat in the moderate-performance range rather than the featherweight racer class.
The figures support that middle-ground character. A displacement-to-length ratio of 207.95 and a capsize screening value of 1.99 categorize the 345 among moderate racers with a reassuring safety margin. Its comfort ratio of 22.71 suggests a tolerable motion profile for a 34-footer.
Draft ranges from 5.74 to 6.04 feet, depending on load—enough to preserve useful keel bite while clearing most marina entrances. Available keel alternatives also let buyers trade shallower access against deeper performance. An immersion rate of 198 kg/cm means the boat loads predictably.
Rig, Sailing and Auxiliary Power
The Scanmar 345 has a fractional sloop rig. Working sail area is 53 m² for the masthead jib and mainsail, while the sail plan can scale up to a 135 percent genoa. Sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 19.8 with that larger sail, compared with 17.0 using the ISO reference sail.
Rigging dimensions are generous for a boat of this size: 33.5-meter halyards and a 26.4-meter mainsheet. Replacements should be specified to the original diameters of 12 mm and 14 mm, respectively.
A 28-horsepower Volvo Penta 2003 diesel drives a saildrive. Documented speed under power is 7.0 knots, close to the theoretical hull speed of 7.2 knots.
Accommodations
Below, the 345 has three cabins and seven to eight berths, along with a galley and toilet facility. The layout suits a cruising family or small charter crew, and the mahogany joinery reflects Scanmar’s house style of the period.
Tankage consists of 33 gallons of fresh water and an 18-gallon stainless steel fuel tank. Removing the hull portlights during the transition from the Scanmar 33 to the 345 traded natural light through the hull sides for greater structural stiffness—a choice that favors offshore confidence over saloon brightness.
Refits and Ownership
With fewer than 200 boats built, the Scanmar 345 has a finite, knowable population, though that limited production also restricts brokerage choice.
The Volvo Penta 2003 is a well-understood small diesel, while saildrive maintenance represents the principal recurring cost. Iron ballast and the saildrive call for disciplined corrosion and seal maintenance. After three decades, rigging and sail inventory are the usual items to refresh, and the standard halyard and sheet dimensions make bespoke ordering straightforward.
Verdict
The Scanmar 345 is a thoughtfully evolved Magnusson design. Compared with the Scanmar 33, it combines a longer waterline and buoyant transom with a stiffer hull without portlights and a roomy, three-cabin mahogany interior. Its numbers place it firmly in the moderate-racer performance range.
For used-boat buyers who value predictable loading and a documented, finite production run, it remains a sensible cruiser-racer.
Pros
- Longer waterline and buoyant transom compared with the Scanmar 33, with hull portlights removed for greater stiffness
- Moderate-racer profile, with a 39 percent ballast ratio and reassuring capsize screening value
- Three cabins, seven to eight berths, a mahogany interior and 33 gallons of fresh water
Cons
- Iron ballast and the saildrive require disciplined corrosion and seal maintenance
- Fewer than 200 built, limiting brokerage choice
- No hull portlights, reducing natural light compared with its predecessor
