Design and Construction
Magnusson's hull pairs hand-laid fiberglass in a sandwich construction for both hull and deck, with the interior finished in mahogany joinery. At 11,023 pounds displacement with 4,299 pounds of iron ballast, the 39 percent ballast ratio and 11-foot-1-inch beam on a 3.12 length-to-beam ratio give the 345 a stable, roomy footprint without drifting into heavy cruiser territory. The 207.95 displacement-to-length ratio and 1.99 capsize screening value categorize her among moderate racers with a reassuring safety margin, while a 22.71 comfort ratio suggests a tolerable motion profile for a 34-footer. The redesigned buoyant transom and removal of hull portlights from the 33's specification were deliberate stiffness measures, and the 34 m² wetted surface keeps her in the moderate-performance band rather than the featherweight racer class.
Rig and Handling
The 345 carries a fractional sloop rig with a working sail area of 53 m² for masthead jib and main, and the sailplan scales up to a 135 percent genoa for a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 19.8, against 17.0 on the ISO reference sail. A Volvo Penta 2003 diesel of 28 horsepower turns a saildrive, pushing her at a documented 7.0 knots under power against a 7.2-knot theoretical hull speed. Draft sits at 5.74 to 6.04 feet depending on load, enough to clear most marina entrances while preserving a useful keel bite. The available keel alternatives let buyers trade shallow access against deeper performance, and the 198 kg/cm immersion rate means she loads predictably. Rigging dimensions are generous for a boat this size—33.5-meter halyards and a 26.4-meter mainsheet—so replacements should be spec'd to original diameters of 12 and 14 mm respectively.
Accommodations
Below, the 345 provides three cabins and seven to eight berths, a galley, and a toilet facility, with 33 gallons of fresh water and an 18-gallon stainless steel fuel tank. The three-cabin layout serves a cruising family or a small charter crew, and the mahogany interior reflects the Scanmar house style of the period. The removal of hull portlights in the move from 33 to 345 traded natural light in the hull sides for structural stiffness, a trade that favors offshore confidence over salon brightness.
Refits and Ownership
With fewer than 200 built, the 345 exists in a finite, knowable population. The Volvo Penta 2003 is a well-understood small diesel, and saildrive maintenance is the principal recurring cost. Rigging and sail inventory are the usual refresh items after three decades, and the standard halyard and sheet dimensions make bespoke ordering straightforward.
The Verdict
The Scanmar 345 is a thoughtfully evolved Magnusson design that traded the 33's portlights for a stiffer, more seaworthy hull, wrapped in a roomy three-cabin mahogany interior and a moderate-racer performance envelope. She is a sensible used-market cruiser-racer for those who value predictable loading and a documented, finite production run.
Pros
- Longer waterline and buoyant transom over the 33, with portlights removed for stiffness
- Moderate-racer profile with 39% ballast ratio and reassuring capsize screening
- Three cabins, seven to eight berths, mahogany interior, 33 gal fresh water
Cons
- Iron ballast and saildrive demand disciplined corrosion and seal maintenance
- Fewer than 200 built limits brokerage choice
- Removal of hull portlights reduces natural light versus the predecessor
