Hanse 301 Buying Advice

[conks01]

Hi,

I'm looking for advice from those whom may currently own, or have done in the past, a Hanse 301.

I've looked at one today, for sale in Penarth Marina. It's been well looked after and serviced albeit, the saildrive seal is circa 6 years and will need replacing as a precautionary measure IMHO. The marina have quoted c£2,200 all in with another £500 for lift out and relaunch.

Looking on here, I can see some former posts but wanted a more rounded assessment where possible.

I understand there could be issues with the rudder, a known flaw with these?

This version is 2002 with a Volvo 2020 20hp engine. Sails look in good condition, rigging was replaced in 2021. The engine has been regularly serviced and the boat has been lifted out most seasons for anti-fouling as well as other bits (anode replacements etc.)

The headroom isn't great, almost 6' and I'm 6'3" so not ideal. The berths look a tad cramped also.

I'm keen on the Hanse as they look good quality, modern and well built. I'm looking at the 301 as well as Hunter Horizon 30 which has a similar feeling to it, as well as being several £k's below the 301 and with bilge keel option whereas most of these 301's are wing keel.

Any guidance greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Tranona]

Can't help with the specifics of the boat, but absolutely no need to replace the diaphragm - they effectively last indefinitely. The price you have been quoted is a bit OTT unless there is need to dismantle cabinetry. It is 16 hours maximum labour (8 hours for 2) plus £500 materials including replacing the seals in the lower leg, so well under £2k. Better to spend the money on a folding prop if it does not have one already or sails.

 

[ylop]

Can't help with the specifics of the boat, but absolutely no need to replace the diaphragm - they effectively last indefinitely. The price you have been quoted is a bit OTT unless there is need to dismantle cabinetry. It is 16 hours maximum labour (8 hours for 2) plus £500 materials including replacing the seals in the lower leg, so well under £2k. Better to spend the money on a folding prop if it does not have one already or sails.

I would agree with most of that based on what I’ve been quoted for doing it on a Bavaria - so unless Hanse have been stupid with their design then worth getting another quote.

Volvo say 7 years and many people let them go much longer but if often people feel they should because their surveyor said it’s overdue and the insurer expects the surveyors stuff to be done. That said, if you don’t do it - the next buyer will be looking at one which is overdue and value will be lower to account for cost and hassle. Doing it before 7 years is unnecessary expense though (unless you are negotiating with the vendor!) and lifting out just to do that, rather than winter storage, antifouling, etc is making the job more expensive.

The headroom etc is what you get in that size of modern boat. It’s a lot better than in an old design of similar length. I would be budgeting for new sails in the near future if those are 24 yr old originals. Was it the standing or running rigging which was replaced in 2021?

Nice to haves which often weren’t added to small boats when new as budget is a limiting factor: windlass, autopilot, diesel heater, shorepower, hot water. None are strictly essential, all can be retrofitted, they come with a hassle factor as well as not insignificant cost.

 

[fredrussell]

Personally, the idea of crouching down whenever standing below decks, would put me off a boat. My last boat had 5’8 headroom and I’m 5’10. After more than a day or two on boat you really tired of it. I realise at 6’3 it’s not easy to find a boat with headroom but isn’t there anything, perhaps a little longer, that would allow standing straight?

Re cramped berths - Very often, boats with an aft cabin - the aft berth is long on the outboard side. My 30ft boat it’s over 7ft berth at that point.

It’s a buyer’s market, worth comparing alternatives?

 

[TSB240]

I had a 301.

I replaced the originally fitted gasket when it was well over due!
Neither gasket or steel collar needed it! 6 years old is fine and someone is using this to generate some income. It is a DIY job and easy to do.

The rudder shaft is more of a problem. It should be checked before purchase for bearing wear or shaft pitting.
Bearing wear ruins the feel the boat gives. Shaft pitting and corrosion is a bigger problem
Rudders and bearings are available from Jeffa, not cheap but an easy fix.

The boat is built for hobbits!
I had no problem 5' 8" probably less now!
It is difficult to access the large aft cabin . Tantric sex only! Huge area for sleeping but mostly used for storage.

The forecabin is the most used . Standing headroom is OK at the galley and aided by a spray hood.

6' 3" will find the salon bunks a little small. Have you tried lying down!

Plenty of advice and experience is available here.

https://www.myhanse.com/300-301_forum6.html

NB water in the bilges is rare.
It is usually found from spills or fridge condensation in the galley into a hidden sump in the keel section hidden under the plastic salon sole. (Look at posts in above for info)

Wonderful boat and the performance with new sails is very thrilling.
Slab reef main and minimal overlap genoa was preferred.
Reefed genoa on self tacking track was an option for me if I wanted to tack up wind and narrow channels.
My best experience was a single handed sail from Padstow to the IOS with an average over 8 knots closer to 9! Solid and balanced sailplan on a basic autohelm. Reefed main and full genoa.

I now have another 10 feet of waterline to get the same speeds but suffer the additional costs especially in a marina.

The 20 hp engine is a definite advantage but check the elbow has been removed and cleaned at least every two years. Not usually carried out as routine but should be. Seized bolts usually indicate service interval has been exceeded.

A folding propellor is a positive benefit.

Pm if you need more info.

Steve