HR31 v HR34

[starboard]

Looking towards my next boat, my wish list was the HR31 but now thinking as planning most of the Summer aboard a HR34 would be better suited......that said it looks like that extra 3 feet will double the price of the boat!......thoughts from any HR users appreciatted.

 

[youen]

Hi,i had the same reflexion some years ago and bought an HR 34 because she is much more roomy,in the 31 the rudder post come through the aft berth' the access to the engine is very thight.I am very happy with the HR 34 and if you can afford one dont hesitate

 

[charles_reed]

The only advantage I can think of for a 31' over a 34' is that you don't have to have a DEKPA in Greece.

 

[John_Silver]

...or look at an HR310.... Took Stargazer down to La Rochelle, last summer, on a 4 month cruise; up on the west coast of Ireland currently, on a 3 month cruise. Space / comfort below probably similar to an HR34, fantastic sailing performance (passage making speeds in 8 knots of breeze and still going nicely in 25-30). I'm delighted with mine.

 

[Twister_Ken]

...or look at an HR310.... Took Stargazer down to La Rochelle, last summer, on a 4 month cruise; up on the west coast of Ireland currently, on a 3 month cruise. Space / comfort below probably similar to an HR34, fantastic sailing performance (passage making speeds in 8 knots of breeze and still going nicely in 25-30). I'm delighted with mine.

Trouble is a 310 is twice the price of a good 34!

 

[richardbrennan]

Don't know how tall you are, but I found the bunks on the 31 a bit short when I looked at one some years ago; I am a tadge under six feet.

 

[Stork_III]

I had HR31 for 8 years, replaced by HR34 in 2009, when we retired for more space. 31 is great boat, sails like a big dinghy, faster than 34.
34 has more space, and generally more kit, no rudder post through aft berth, "proper" forecabin, on 31 with infill fitted access to berth is from saloon. 34 has more cupboard storage, but less under berth storage, as water tank in forepeak. Cockpit on 34 bigger, don't get a wheel steer, tiller is better. Side decks wider on 31, with less width below.

We sold 31 for £500 more after 8 years, but as you say 3ft extra cost double, but 34 was 10 years younger. I don't like the 310, with the open back and no chart table. Any questions send me a PM.

 

[mocruising]

We went through the same exercise ten years ago between the GF 42 and 46. In the end we settled on a slightly older but lesser used 46. I am very glad we went for the larger boat in the end, as I am sure we would have needed to buy and sell if we had opted for the 42.

 

[Stork_III]

Trouble is a 310 is twice the price of a good 34!

No, about the same, but the 310 will be newer.

 

[Twister_Ken]

No, about the same, but the 310 will be newer.

Cheapest used 310 seems to be £124K (but it is in Berlin, so cost in some post and packing!)
Cheapest used 34 is £82K

Both on yachtworld.com

 

[starboard]

Cheapest used 310 seems to be £124K (but it is in Berlin, so cost in some post and packing!)
Cheapest used 34 is £82K

Both on yachtworld.com

But that's an old beast, looking at a 2005 model and that is well over £100K

 

[Stork_III]

Cheapest used 310 seems to be £124K (but it is in Berlin, so cost in some post and packing!)
Cheapest used 34 is £82K

Both on yachtworld.com

True but one is 3 years old, the other is 20 years. If of much closer age they will be the same, there is a 31 @ £132k as well.

 

[johnalison]

31 is great boat, sails like a big dinghy, faster than 34.
.

Not true. I've raced against 31s in my 34 and we were definitely faster, in roughly the proportion you would expect from their sizes. The 31 is a good boat of its kind and gives an impression of more space by the angling of the surfaces at the companionway, though it is somewhat smaller in practice. My 34 appears to be more than a match for the 342 upwind in anything of a breeze, though slower downwind.

 

[youen]

I agree with Johnalison.

 

[starboard]

Thanks for your thoughts and PM's so far......keep them coming......I really have to decide if the extra 3ft is worth the £50k I would need to spend to upgrade from a 31 to a 34.

 

[pvb]

Thanks for your thoughts and PM's so far......keep them coming......I really have to decide if the extra 3ft is worth the £50k I would need to spend to upgrade from a 31 to a 34.

Of course it is, if you can fund it, buy it - otherwise you'll always quietly wish you'd gone for a 34!

 

[david36]

Looking towards my next boat, my wish list was the HR31 but now thinking as planning most of the Summer aboard a HR34 would be better suited......that said it looks like that extra 3 feet will double the price of the boat!......thoughts from any HR users appreciatted.

We bought a HR31 about fifteen years ago. It was a great boat and well worth the price but I did wish that I had bought the 34, which seemed even better. The exra room is key if you spend longer periods on board. The 34 also sails slightly better but both are excellent. Go for the tiller version. HR staff in Sweden who got a "discounted company boat" mostly used to choose 34s in those days. If you can afford it, I would recommend the 34, if you can not then a 31 will do you proud.
Fair winds.

 

[johnalison]

I agree; they are both good boats. The 34 also has the advantage of a wooden toe-rail, though I think they put one on the very last 31s. Wheel versions of the 34 are quite popular in Germany but it makes the cockpit awkward and intrudes into the aft cabin in earlier versions. I have sailed both but prefer the tiller which is very steady on all points of sailing.

 

[Jamesuk]

I have spent time on a big HR, it's certainly a nice club to be in. I would recommend the bigger yacht.