ACCOMMODATION
The designers have divided the hull into three zones—bow, midships and stern—and there are options for each, so you get more layout combinations than I can get my head around. You need to see the brochure.
The most fundamental choice is whether you want two cabins or three. Depending on your choices, the bathroom can be forward or aft.
This boat has the standard layout, which has the head forward (ensuite with the owner's cabin) and one cabin aft, to starboard. The portside cabin aft is not fitted out, so it becomes a huge storage room, accessible via a lid in the cockpit. Peter Hrones, boss of Hanse importers Windcraft, reckons it would be easy to set up this space with a mattress and use it for both storage and to accommodate an extra body when needed.
The saloon furniture is angled, which opens up the space, and the designers have omitted the usual deck-height lockers in the saloon which boosts the impression of volume—this is the saloon of a 40-footer. The timber trim can be in cherry, or mahogany (as shown on page 80). The stove is a twin-burner with oven.

SAILING
When he ordered this boat, Peter wanted to use it as the company demonstrator and for club racing, so he opted for the cockpit-mounted mainsheet traveller (instead of the coachroof position for the standard boat) for the superior control over mainsail shape and easy handling—the traveller controls are right in front of the helmsman. A coachroof-mounted traveller leaves the cockpit clear.

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The boat also had the optional genoa tracks with adjuster lines led back to the cockpit to control the shape of the genoas (sails which reach aft of the mast). The genoas provide the extra sail area for racing that the self-tacking jib can't provide, though the 350's performance calculations confirm Hanse folklore which says that above 12 knots of breeze the small-headsail rig is not disadvantaged.
Years ago Peter decided he would make standard features on Aussie boats the features Aussies usually request. So the 350s will have as standard the 30hp Yanmar and Saildrive.
As with all Hanses, the self-tacking jib helps define the boat's character. Social sailors who may be put off by the busy-ness of tacking headsails will be astounded by the way this boat handles under sail.
To change direction, when tacking upwind the skipper puts over the helm, both sails change tack and away you go—the occupants of the cockpit need never be disturbed. The self-tacker introduces some of the calm for which sailing should be renowned but often does not deliver.
At a time when many builders are reverting to wire and quadrant steering the Hanse rack and pinion system is a revelation. It is light and it is precise. Sailing this fast cruiser (or cruiser/racer) to windward delivers the tactile pleasure of a grand prix racer. The steering is so responsive I found, on first acquaintance, it was easy to over-steer until I relaxed and let her find her own way. The system would easily handle the optional larger-diameter wheel without losing its razor edge.

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