2023 Hanse 348

Step aboard and the first thing you notice is how open and usable the cockpit is for a 34-footer. The twin wheels give you a clear path aft, and that wide fold-down swim platform turns the stern into an easy boarding and lounging zone once you’re on the hook. Under sail, this hull feels surprisingly stiff and quick, rewarding a light touch on the helm. Down below, the generous hull windows and overhead hatches keep things bright even on gray days, and the separate shower stall means you’re not sacrificing comfort on longer weekends. Storage has been thought through, with proper spaces for cruising gear instead of awkward, hard-to-access cubbies.

A Hanse 348 is especially well suited to this region’s mix of skinny water and open reaches. The shoal draft lets you slip into quieter anchorages and explore shallow creeks that deeper-keel boats have to bypass, while the modern hull form still delivers lively performance when the breeze fills in across the bays and sounds. The self-tacking headsail and all lines led aft make it easy to manage short-handed when afternoon squalls or wind shifts roll through. Below the waterline, efficient underwater gear and a reliable diesel are ideal for longer motoring stretches between harbors, where you’ll appreciate the comfortable motion and well-laid-out interior after a day covering miles.