After going to test the Hanse 315 I find myself wondering if I had a spare £55,000 lying around; would I spend it on this boat? I wanted to know what other thought about it and if you think it compares to its competitors.

The question I have with all of these these modern 'super value' boats (sail and power)is; how well will they last or will they just be fit for scrap in ten years time. If they are only fit for scrap, then how do we propose getting rid of the hulls, it can't be crushed and recycled like a car. If I wanted a sailing boat for around £55k, I would be more inclined to buy a known quantity like a twenty year old Moody. I would have faith in someting like that still being perfectly serviceable and retaining its value when it passes thirty, forty or maybe fifty years old.

One thing that I was really surprised about was that hull is made of polystyrene. This has already been made illegal in some countries as it isn’t as strong as other materials such as fibre glass and epoxy resin. That is definitely a put off. What do you think?

I rest my case m'lud

You can not fault the interior of this boat it really is immaculate, but it does seem to be turning more and more towards interior and comfort rather than the sailing qualities of a boat that is being pushed.

It's not the interior that will keep it afloat though is it.

When I look at new boats at shows, so many seem to be appealing to the non-sailing partner in the sense that if the non-sailing partner likes it, the sailing partner may get dispensation to buy it.

I have a twenty eight year old Lochin 33 and whilst it may be a bit cosmetically scruffy (all gradually being addessed) structurally, mechanically and electrically it is in rude health. Fortunately, my partner seems to barely notice the scruffy bits because she knows it is one of the safest boats (of its size) around.

My primary criteria would be safety, performance then protection of investment. Interior trim would be a long way down the list.

Considering it was a boat for novices as well, it didn’t have any foot straps or rails to clip on to. Ultimately this is because it’s more aesthetically pleasing not to be able to see them.

I am part of a yacht club and it really annoys me how it seems to let members join that clearly have no real interest in the sport, but seem to use it as some kind of status symbol!

Most marinas are full of boats that are just used as status symbols or occaisionally, floating caravans. I've got no problem with that, those people probably keep most of the marine business going.

What I don't like is that some poor s*d who knows no better will believe the salesman, be convinced it really is is a good boat and then they'll firstly, spend a lot of money they probably havn't got and secondly, and much worse, they will take it out to sea and risk peoples lives in it.

I really belive that the marine press have a duty to be totally honest when they do a review. In fact it may well pay to commission Jeremy Clarkson to review it.

All boats have their good and bad points, just at different levels. It is only fair to out line both sides. I can’t think of one vessel that doesn’t have bad points. That’s why websites like this are so important as it lets individuals make up their own minds and discuss an issue rather than only having access to a press release.

I know that nothing is perfect but to be constructed from a material that has already been made illegal in some countries due to stregnth concerns should be made very very clear in any review. As should the lack foot straps and rails, these are all safety features.

Why don’t you write a boat review for us? Tell the public what it is really like. You sound like you know your stuff and could write a sound but fair article.

Unless it was a good quality boat, (well designed and well constructed irrespective of size) I don't think a manufacturer would want me anywhere near it, at least, not if he wanted to sell any.

There are very good boats around and they are made by the likes of Moody and Cygnus etc. Often they are manufacturers who build boats for proffessional use. These type of boats usually seem expensive in comarison to the mass produced boats but, in my opinion, would be a much better long term investment. A ten year old Moody would be just run in, a ten yoar old Hanse??

I like your picture by the way.

I totally agree!

I like your picture too - I thought it was very original, but someone else on the forum seems to have followed in you pirate them!

There are leaders and there are followers. Anyway, I've just given him a broadside regardin his response to Fred Barters article

IThey do say that copying is a form of flattery! You should take it as a compliment.

His is only a 'toy' pirate though.

Obviously can't compete with the real deal

FOR YOUR INFORMATION I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW YOU HAD A PIRATE PICTURE TOO. I think you are just being big headed. I am sure you are not the first person to ever use 'Black Beard' as a pic in a sailing forum!

I was on this one, in fact I think I had the first picture up on this forum of all.