hanse yacht reviews

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Hanse 460 review: First in a new range

• David Harding
• January 26, 2023

The Hanse 460 is the first in a new range of Hanses. From new designers, she is already a big hit, with over 200 sold and a European Yacht of the Year win to its name. David Harding reports

Product Overview

Price as reviewed:.

For some of us, sailing has always been about the functional and fundamental. We enjoy sailing for sailing’s sake. But today people want so much more from a boat and, in many respects, today’s yachts undoubtedly offer a lot more and the Hanse 460 attempts to do just that.

What you might loosely call the mainstream European builders of family cruising yachts have been following this path for some time, making each generation of designs bigger and plusher than the last. For Hanse in particular, it has been a rapid evolution from the small, basic and functional to the large and luxurious.

This latest Hanse is the first to be designed by Berret-Racoupeau. After the earliest models, which used the moulds of discontinued, slim-hulled Scandinavian designs, every Hanse has been designed by Judel/Vrolijk in what became one of boatbuilding’s most enduring and successful partnerships.

In line with modern trends, each new wave of Hanses has been higher, wider and more voluminous than the last. Founder Michael Schmidt never lost sight of the performance side, however. For all their growing girths and towering topsides, Hanse has always made boats that sail – competitively-priced, high-volume cruisers but with easy handling (self-tacking jibs were used from the early days) and better performance than many of the alternatives.

The single rudder is light and responsive on the helm. Photo: HanseYachts/Nico Krauss

The Hanse 460 is different. Very different. The first model from a new alliance with the French designers, it promptly won the European Yacht of the Year as the best Family Cruiser for 2022. A Hanse 510 version now follows.

The big question was whether Hanse had managed to do something different while retaining the qualities that its owners had traditionally sought.

At a glance, the Hanse 460 looks sleeker and sportier than earlier models; more angular, with a reverse rake to the bow and a pronounced knuckle running to about half-way aft. In Hanse tradition there are no hard-angled chines but, in this case, a pronounced soft chine towards the stern. In plan view you see full forward sections which, combined with the broad stern, generous freeboard and ample beam, hold the promise of enormous interior volume.

The 460’s generous and uncluttered cockpit. Photo: HanseYachts/Nico Krauss

At the other end, a moulded bowsprit projects the anchor clear of the stem and provides an attachment point for an outer forestay which can carry a reaching headsail. Large windows in the topsides help to break up the high freeboard.

Scale those topsides and you’re faced with an expanse of wide, flat deck and coachroof. Moulded bulwarks edge the side decks to help keep feet where they belong should you venture forward when the boat’s heeled. Otherwise what stands out is the uncluttered appearance – lines are led aft beneath separate mouldings – and the plethora of deck hatches hinged every which way, including one that opens to reveal a large bow locker.

There was certainly nothing to complain about in the performance and handling department. We slipped along very nicely on a flat sea in 12-14 knots of wind, clocking around 7.5 knots with the apparent wind at just under 30°, and tacking through around 80° by the compass.

Moulded bowsprit keeps anchor clear of the stem and provides attachment for the optional outer forestay. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Enjoyable sailing

Weather helm was slight and the load on the wheels increased relatively little if I tried bearing away with the sheets pinned in, the single rudder providing plenty of grip. Provoked in the opposite direction, she coped well when pinched mercilessly and also when thrown into tight spins, only stalling briefly.

At least in the flat water and modest breeze we encountered, the cockpit worked well. In any wind and seaway you would be pleased to have the optional second table to port as a bracing point. At the helm stations you have a comfortable perch outboard of the wheel or, for energetic downwind sailing when you might need both hands, behind it. The Jefa linkage is light and direct, giving a good feel from the rudder. On the starboard side you can wind down the bifurcated backstay when extra headstay tension is needed.

Hanse 460 is from Berret-Racoupeau. Photo: Andreas Lindlahr/EYOTY

Today’s cockpits are no longer just places from where you control the boat. Controlling the boat in itself is so much easier anyway, especially if – as most owners of the Hanse 460 will – you upgrade to electric winches, electric in-mast reefing and electric furling for the genoa on the outer forestay.

Other push-button options are for the hinge-down bathing platform and the cockpit tables (either side or both), which can be lowered to create large lounging areas. Alternatively there are fixed tables, as we had on the port side. A wet-bar can be added between the helm seats. It’s all part of making the cockpit a multi-function space in which every part can serve a variety of purposes. Cockpit stowage is in the form of a half-depth locker each side and – a first for Hanse – a dedicated liferaft locker right aft to starboard. With the electric-lowering option for the starboard table comes an extra moulded seat pod, which provides readily-accessible shallow stowage forward of the starboard helm and would be good to have for that reason alone.

Portlights and windows flood the saloon with natural light. Photo: HanseYachts/Nico Krauss

Moving about the deck and cockpit, and from one to the other, is easy in good weather. The wide open spaces let you simply stroll around – or lounge if you’re so inclined. Then again, they tend to present more of a challenge when a boat’s bouncing and heeling.

Lifestyle choices

Externally, the hull lines clearly differentiate the 460 from her earlier stablemates, but down below it’s a world apart. It’s certainly a more classy finish than we’ve seen before from Hanse; restrained in tone and a level above what we have become used to. Berret-Racoupeau is one of relatively few yacht design studios to have its own interior-design division.

Stateroom forecabin has generous stowage above and below the bed. Photo: HanseYachts/Nico Krauss

A host of interior layouts is available, from three to five cabins, up to four showers and from six to 10 berths. About the only constant is the presence of twin double cabins in the stern. Otherwise you can have different arrangements in the bow (cabins and heads) and amidships with a long or short linear galley and a bunk cabin or utility room to starboard where our boat had a chart table and heads compartment.

Details include backrests that hinge down in the saloon to provide trays and drinks-holders. You can press a button to lower the table, press another to pop up the TV from its central pod, and settle in for the evening.

Down here it’s all about sight-lines, integrating the different areas so no one feels left out, and ensuring that, as in the cockpit, every part of the layout performs multiple functions. In practice it creates a thoroughly pleasant and remarkably light environment.

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

Sometimes you come across a boat that makes you realise not only that yacht design has changed irrevocably, but also why it has changed and why it’s not going back. The Hanse 460 is unquestionably such a boat. How the crew lives aboard and moves around, both above and below decks, has clearly been thought about in the context of modern lifestyles. And this boat exudes style. If you like the fundamental design, you will be able to tailor many of the options and details to suit your tastes. A yacht like this is unlikely to slice to windward in heavy weather as comfortably as, say, a first-generation Swan 46, but most people aren’t really interested in that these days. I suspect the new Hanse will prove to be a pretty quick and competent all-rounder nonetheless. Simple sailing? The technology is not remotely simple any more. But with the Hanse 460, the sailing itself is simple and can still be a lot of fun.

• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Newsletters
• Sailboat Reviews
• Boating Safety
• Sailing Totem
• Charter Resources
• Destinations
• Galley Recipes
• Living Aboard
• Sails and Rigging
• Maintenance
• Best Marine Electronics & Technology

Hanse 415 Yacht Review

• By Mark Pillsbury
• Updated: May 22, 2013

Hoist a tad too much sail on a blustery morning, on a boat you’ve never sailed before, and things can go a couple of different ways. Fortunately for us—CW’s Boat of the Year judges and yours truly—as gusts ripped straight down the Severn River and kicked up whitecaps all across the bay off Annapolis, Maryland, the Hanse 415 yacht, to which we’d just been introduced, dug a rail into the chop and took off like a demon possessed. It was one spirited sail.

In fact, brief as it was (all told, we only had about 45 minutes of sailing once our motoring tests were completed), it was the sail I best remember from last fall’s week of a couple of dozen sea trials following the U.S. Sailboat Show. As each puff hit our full-battened main and closehauled self-tending jib, we’d heel a little more but track straight, as if we were on rails, the helm (with Jefa chain-link steering) remaining firmly under control all the while.

“It really performs beautifully under sail,” noted BOTY Judge Ed Sherman. “Even when overpowered, it’s like driving a big dinghy.”

The Hanse 415 yacht, drawn by Judel/Vrolijk & Co., with an interior by Hanse’s Water Vision, is the latest entry in the builder’s lineup of sailboats that are, by design, both exciting and simple to sail. Controls—a pair of single reef lines, halyards, and a main and a jib sheet—are led to winches set just forward of the two helm stations, where they’re easy to reach and kept tamed by rope clutches. But really, if you’re tacking to windward, there’s no reason to bother with the strings. Want to come about? Just turn the wheel and both the jib and the midboom-sheeted main will see to themselves. Off the wind, an asymmetric sail can be set using a dedicated bail on the single anchor roller. It’s a great setup for a shorthanded watch or the skipper whose crew prefers to enjoy the ride. If you routinely sail in lighter air or are looking to eke out a little more speed, a slightly overlapping 106-percent genoa is also an option.

Though a production sailboat through and through and intended to meet a price point, the 415 is available in a wide range of hull colors and interior finishes. The boat we sailed was a three-cabin/two-head model, though a two-cabin (with one or two heads, depending on your needs for locker space in the V-berth) is also available; in that configuration, you gain a large storage area in place of the starboard aft cabin.

In either layout, down below, the saloon and galley are at once stylish and traditional, with a large, U-shaped dining area to starboard (a portion of the seat’s base pulls out and has cushions to make a double berth or lounging area) and a settee opposite with a versatile, two-position nav station. The L-shaped galley comes with all the cooking and refrigeration kit you’d expect in a 41-foot cruising boat, and fiddles along the countertops are a plus for cooking in any sort of seaway. From on deck, the companionway hatch slides well forward, and the steps down are extended and angled for ease of access. Wide side decks and good handholds along the coachroof are appreciated when moving about under way. One small gripe topside: Outward-opening ports along the cabin roof can be real ankle biters, but then again, they probably wouldn’t be open when sailing.

Below the waterline, the hull is solid glass; above, Hanse uses balsa coring in both the topsides and deck. A layer of vinylester resin next to the gelcoat is added to prevent blistering. Stiff performance under sail comes, in part, thanks to the L-shaped cast-iron keel fastened with stainless-steel bolts. A deep T-keel is optional. The 415 is powered by a 38-horsepower Volvo and saildrive. The BOTY judges found the boat to be slightly underpowered, so anyone planning on a lot of motoring might want to consider the optional 55-horsepower engine.

That said, if there’s any breeze whatsoever, you’ll want to kill the motor, unfurl the jib, hoist up the main, and settle in on the leeward wheel for one heck of a good ride aboard this Hanse 415 yacht.

To see more photos of the Hanse 415 click here

• More: 2011+ , 41 - 50 ft , Coastal Cruising , hanse , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Sailboat Preview: Dufour 44

New to the fleet: pegasus yachts 50, balance 442 “lasai” set to debut, sailboat review: tartan 455, sailing totem refit series: the forward head makeover, fatty goodlander: dealing with chafe while cruising, route planning in the face of climate change, how to rig everything in your favor.

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

• New Sailboats
• Sailboats 21-30ft
• Sailboats 31-35ft
• Sailboats 36-40ft
• Sailboats Over 40ft
• Sailboats Under 21feet
• used_sailboats
• Apps and Computer Programs
• Communications
• Fishfinders
• Handheld Electronics
• Plotters MFDS Rradar
• Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
• Anchoring Mooring
• Running Rigging
• Sails Canvas
• Standing Rigging
• Diesel Engines
• Off Grid Energy
• Cleaning Waxing
• DIY Projects
• Repair, Tools & Materials
• Spare Parts
• Tools & Gadgets
• Cabin Comfort
• Ventilation
• Footwear Apparel
• Foul Weather Gear
• Mailport & PS Advisor
• Inside Practical Sailor Blog
• Activate My Web Access
• Reset Password
• Customer Service

• Free Newsletter

Ericson 34-2 Finds Sweet Spot

How to Sell Your Boat

Cal 2-46: A Venerable Lapworth Design Brought Up to Date

Rhumb Lines: Show Highlights from Annapolis

Solar Panels: Go Rigid If You have the Space…

Leaping Into Lithium

The Importance of Sea State in Weather Planning

Do-it-yourself Electrical System Survey and Inspection

When Should We Retire Dyneema Stays and Running Rigging?

Rethinking MOB Prevention

Top-notch Wind Indicators

The Everlasting Multihull Trampoline

What Your Boat and the Baltimore Super Container Ship May Have…

Check Your Shorepower System for Hidden Dangers

DIY survey of boat solar and wind turbine systems

What’s Involved in Setting Up a Lithium Battery System?

The Scraper-only Approach to Bottom Paint Removal

Can You Recoat Dyneema?

How to Handle the Head

The Day Sailor’s First-Aid Kit

Choosing and Securing Seat Cushions

Cockpit Drains on Race Boats

Re-sealing the Seams on Waterproof Fabrics

Safer Sailing: Add Leg Loops to Your Harness

Waxing and Polishing Your Boat

Reducing Engine Room Noise

Tricks and Tips to Forming Do-it-yourself Rigging Terminals

Marine Toilet Maintenance Tips

Learning to Live with Plastic Boat Bits

• Sailboat Reviews

Hanse 400 Boat Review

Designed by german firm judel/vrolijk & co., this racer-cruiser offers good performance and is easy to sail..

The Hanse 400 is a cruising boat for those who love to sail, and a club racer for those who enjoy a summer cruise. Its construction quality and price point qualify it as a cost-effective alternative in the 40-footer marketplace. In comparison to mainstream production cruising boats, the Hanse 400 is an absolute performance standout, not only in its ability under sail, but in its ease of operation.  

                                                      ****

The Hanse 400 presents the image of a well-trained athlete—strong, capable, and legitimately deserving of its billing as a “crossover” sailboat. In keeping with Hanses performance-oriented design philosophy, the 400 has been exactingly engineered to deliver a blend of performance attributes and cruising comfort. The result is an easy-to-handle, spirited racer-cruiser that packs plenty of cabin space and amenities into its beamy hull.

Designer Judel/Vrolijk & Co. is a cutting-edge firm that opened its doors in 1978. With Americas Cup winner Alinghi , Admirals Cup victories, Volvo Ocean Race designs, and a pet project for the King of Spain on the roster—not to mention its mega-yacht design business—Judel/Vrolijks star has risen. Part of its success has been linked to the companys embracing modern computer-design technology, using both 2-D and 3-D CAD programs. Spending time 3-D modeling a new design keeps unwanted shop floor surprises to a minimum. Things like locker doors, engine room space, and table heights end up with the clearance that they need in order to function according to plan.

The team at Hanse conceived the interior design of the 400 and worked with Judel/Vrolijk designers to define a sailboat with comfortable accommodations and the sailing ability that Hanse production boats have become known for. At the heart of the success is a canoe body shape with a clean entry, full beam, and flat sections aft that make the boat look more like a racer than a cruiser. When the modest keel appendage is attached, the race-boat theme is greatly subdued, however, with 952 square feet of working sail area, this modern racer-cruiser plays well at both games.

The logic behind choosing an easy-to-sail performance cruiser makes perfect sense for many sailors. Considering the soaring price of diesel and the light winds that prevail along much of the U.S. coast during the summer sailing season, there is a distinct advantage to having a boat that can turn 6 to 8 knots of true wind speed into a fun sail.

The Hanse 400s wide beam, carried well aft, delivers plenty of initial stability, allowing the vessel to stand up to the heeling moment induced by its sizable sail plan. The ballast—iron keel and lead bulb—is listed as weighing 6,426 pounds. The low placement of lead also lowers the boats center of gravity (CG), increasing its secondary righting moment. Those looking to maximize stability can shave 1,000 pounds by ordering the epoxy-resin laminated hull along with the deep-draft (6 feet, 5 inches) configuration. This combination provides a positive-stability limit of over 120 degrees. The boat is certified to ISO Category A “Offshore” standard and built to Germanischer Lloyd GL Yacht Plus standards, giving the buyer confidence in the quality of construction and design.

A major factor in designing wide-transom boats is to keep the stern from submerging, which causes drag to increase. Many sailboats achieve this at anchor but once sailing to weather, the infamous transom gurgle reveals that the hull has dug a hole in the water and drag has dampened performance. The Hanse 400 leaves a nimble wake, and the slightly elevated transom stays clear of the surface even as the breeze increases. Its long waterline and flat run aft generate a minimal amount of wave making, another sure sign of an efficient hull shape.

One of the most noticeable deck features on the Hanse 400 is the sculpted deck plates that cover halyards, self-tacking jib sheet, topping lift, and other lines led aft. This arrangement keeps the coach roof clear and unencumbered. The self-tacking, 90-percent blade jib is easy to handle, and its single sheet means that theres no sheet swapping during a tack. The ability to set 952 square feet of working sail area and not have to deal with an overlapping genoa is a big plus for those who sail shorthanded. The 562-square-foot mainsail may seem daunting, but with lazy jacks or a Dutchman sail-flaking system, and appropriately run reefing lines, the mainsail handling routine becomes very user-friendly.

The deck, cockpit, and cabin house work together to provide an ergonomic sailing platform. Absent is the feeling that the deck configuration is a result of excess emphasis on accommodations crammed belowdecks. The Hanse we sailed had attractive teak side decks, but a nonskid gelcoat finish is also available. The nonskid option—which PS highly recommends—saves the buyer about $8,000, lessens maintenance, and has about twice the longevity of teak.

Accommodations

Hanse believes that one interior design doesn’t fit all, and consequently provides different cabin configurations. The 400 is divided into three cabin segments—fore cabin, saloon, and aft cabin—and there are mix-and-match alternatives for each area. For example, in the forward owners cabin, you can swap extra locker space for a second head and move the centerline double berth more to port. The main saloon can be set up with a dinette to starboard and a settee/sea berth to port, or an owner can eliminate the sea berth and opt for two built-in arm chairs and a small side table in the same location. The aft configuration allows for either small side-by-side cabins or a single cabin and a storage area.

The Hanse 400 is not a long-term liveaboard sailboat, but it is fine for summer cruises or participating in yacht club point-to-point races or cruises. The tight turn of the bilge and open layout leave less room for storage. The two-burner stove and modest tankage volume are in keeping with the theme of a racer-cruiser that wont be bogged down by too much gear and equipment. This doesn’t mean that a run to Bermuda or a fast trip to Hawaii are out of the question; in fact, this is a boat that would take such summer passagemaking in stride and get the crew there in a hurry.

The woodwork is computer-cut, finished, and nearly completely assembled prior to placement in the boat. Flat, smooth surfaces coated with spray-applied, matte-finish urethane offset the white gelcoat and Corian countertops, adding an open and spacious feel to the cabin. The L-shaped galley has all the basics—stove/oven, sink, and refrigerator—and is nicely finished, but counter space may be a little lacking for the seagoing gourmet. Again, this is in keeping with the boats lean-and-mean mission statement.

The cabin sole is a faux teak-and-holly plastic veneer thats visually appealing and quite durable. Theres a Euro minimalist design that balances form and function and eliminates wood trim and complex, costly joinery work. The engineers and designers seem to have collaborated on how to build an aesthetic yet cost-effective interior, and its offered it in either a dark mahogany or a light birch finish, both of which are appealing.

Performance

In comparison to mainstream production cruising boats, the Hanse 400 is an absolute performance standout, not only in its ability under sail, but in its ease of operation. On the boat we sailed, setting sail was simplified by the Dutchman flaking system, a set of control lines attached to an adjustable topping lift that guides the sail efficiently from its boom-stowed position to full hoist and back down again. The 390-square-foot furling working jib rolls up and unrolls effortlessly, and its self-tending nature makes tacking a breeze.

All it takes is a simple turn of the wheel to test how ruggedly a sailboat has been built, and whether or not an effective monocoque structure has been achieved. By tacking through the eye of a 15-knot breeze, the momentary flail of the mainsail causes some boats to shake like a wet terrier, and as they settle onto a new tack, all types of squeaks and groans punctuate the silence. The Hanse 400 neither squeaked nor groaned, and while heading into the wind with the large mainsail enduring a momentary flutter, the vessel showed no sign of telltale twisting or bending.

The semi-balanced spade rudder offers finger-tip steering thanks to a large wheel and the smooth, Jefa drag-link design steering system that nests just under the cockpit sole. This design allows for watertight integrity to be maintained between the upper and lower rudder-stock bearings, preventing water from seeping into the accommodations. The downside is the exposure to seawater that the drag-link system and autopilot drive must endure. These components are either well-sealed or made of corrosion-resistant metal, mitigating the effect of occasional dousing.

One of the big plusses is its sailplan. The tall mast, with a big mainsail and a small blade jib, delivers good all-around sailing ability without the need to wrestle a massive genoa on the foredeck. When the breeze goes from 12 to 18 knots, a reef is easily tucked in the mainsail and the inefficiency of a partially rolled up, bulky genoa is eliminated. The resulting wide wind range in which one headsail can be used is a plus, but the crew needs to make sure that they are well practiced in mainsail reefing. For those craving responsiveness in light air and ease of sail handling, theres a neat retractable stem head extension that serves as a tack for a code zero or asymmetric spinnaker, which can also be roller-deployed for convenience. Add well-planned sheet leads and a cockpit set up for efficient shorthanded sailing, and it becomes clear why the boat is so enjoyable to sail.

A 40-horsepower saildrive Yanmar diesel is neatly tucked in a box beneath the

companionway steps. With the assistance of a couple of gas cylinders, the ladder, and sound-dampened engine box easily lift out of the way. This lift-the-hood look at the engine affords great access to key components, not always the case aboard sailboats in this size range. The three-cylinder diesel runs smoothly, and the saildrive eliminates all shaft rumble noise. The trade-off is the need to pay close attention to zincs, and to take care to avoid introducing stray current or galvanic corrosion when installing any electrical equipment.

The Hanse 400 is a cruising boat for those who love to sail, and a club racer for those who enjoy a summer cruise. Its construction quality and price point qualify it as a cost-effective alternative in the 40-footer marketplace. The vessel has the right set of attributes for the light-air conditions of the bays and sounds of the Northeast, Southern California, and Gulf Coast, but will feel right at home on the more blustery bodies of water such as San Francisco Bay. In short, this is a capable performer that offers a lot of bang for the buck.

• Critic’s Corner: Hanse 400
• Interior Notes: Hanse 400
• Hanse 400 Construction Details
• Hanse 400 in Context

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Log in to leave a comment

Latest Videos

Safety At Sea For You & Your Family – The Joe...

What’s The Best Vinyl Window Cleaner for Your Boat?

40-Footer Boat Tours – With Some Big Surprises! | Boat Tour

Electrical Do’s and Don’ts

• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Online Account Activation
• Privacy Manager

Hanse 315: Yacht Review

The hot new entry-level yacht with the lot from the big german yard.

The German manufacturer Hanse is doing an excellent job with its latest Hanse 315. This new sail-cruiser has been swamped with praise since its launch last year. That's because she is a 'proper yacht' that can sail offshore yet is reasonably priced.

The era when small production yachts like Hood 23s and Endeavour 26s got a generation of Aussies into yacht cruising has long gone. Today's entry-level yacht is 30 foot or bigger, as boat buyers expect more room and comfort, which also means less buyers as the starting price is higher.

This situation is quite a dilemma for the yachting industry, which naturally wants coming generations of sailors to jump aboard. But there are some manufacturers who are trying to make the entry point more affordable.

The German manufacturer Hanse is doing an excellent job with its latest Hanse 315, a 'proper yacht' that can sail offshore yet is reasonably priced.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT - Locally, this well-equipped yacht retails from a base-price of just $175,000. With a few important extras like a sun-bimini and wind instruments, the Hanse 315 retails around the $200,000 mark. This is still very good value today for a yacht around the 31-foot mark.

Hanse has been one of the most successful international yacht builders for the past decade and is undoubtedly trying to put the wind back into the sails and sales of entry-level market with this new yacht package.

The local dealer Windcraft had a clever and transparent Hanse 315 'New Sailor' package that included servicing, berthing, insurance, lessons, options and the works for $230k sail away.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION - A surprisingly roomy twin-cabin yacht The cockpit is mounted high but provides comfortable seating thanks to the raised coamings and a sloped cabin bulkhead. There's a big stowage locker under the portside seat with a proper floor and all items including swim ladder and fenders all neatly stowed.

Going below is made easy by a wide hatchway and steps that aren't too steep. Below, there's a surprisingly roomy saloon with full headroom (though not in the forward cabin) and a nice blend of timber and moulded GRP surfaces.

There is a choice of timber veneers but I like the standard mahogany (pictured), with optional ash inlaid flooring.

There is a large head/bathroom off to the portside with a shower, washbasin and WC. This can also double as a wet weather locker too. Meanwhile, to starboard is a reasonable-sized galley incorporating a gas-compliant two-burner stove/oven. The L-shaped galley provides a deep sink/water tap and top-opening fridge with good headroom thanks to the recessed floor.

The main saloon is a step up from the galley and provides two settee lounge berths and a fixed centre table with folding leafs. The table flaps snap into place with a clever folding mechanism. There's also stowage shelves outboard of the backrests and a wine bottle stowage locker within the table support.

Up for'ard you have a choice of either an open double berth, or in the case of our test boat an enclosed cabin with door and a neat three-quarter size double berth. The latter can expand into a full double berth when the door is closed. There is a seat on portside that folds into part of the berth, while another panel slides out from starboard to complete the in-fill.

Another double berth cabin is located aft of the galley. It provides a fixed athwartships berth and has a quite sizeable hanging locker. With a cockpit opening port it seems like the natural choice for the skipper, though I wonder if it's as cool in hot weather as the for'ard cabin.

DESIGN, HULL AND ENGINEERING - A new-breed Hanse yacht on a smaller scale With a plumb bow and wide, flat stern under a tall rig, the Hanse 315 is very much one of the new breed cruiser/racers just smaller!

She comes from the same famous German design team of Judel/Vrolijk who do the bigger Hanse models and are also designers of top offshore race boats like TP52s, etc.

This pedigree is evident in the Hanse 315s good sailing qualities. So yes, doing the local twilight yacht races are definitely on the agenda!

The Hanse 315 is no lightweight at 4700kg displacement yet her race-bred lines ensure she has a good turn of speed. This is partly due to the long waterline and powerful wide beam (3.35m) carried right to the transom.

She also has the latest L-shaped keel and deep, spade rudder for low water drag. However, the real secret to her speed is the noticeable Vee in the rear sections of the hull. This tapering of the waterline helps to reduce hydrodynamic drag over a wide range of speeds and helps her go faster.

Hull construction features foam-cored fibreglass above the waterline and solid lamination below. Decks are balsa-cored and feature a moulded anchor locker for'ard designed to take an optional electric anchor winch. ON THE WATER - The Hanse 315 is no sail-caravan and gets along She has the contemporary styling of the latest cruiser-racers and looks nice from all angles. There's a low trunk cabin over wide decks and a broad, open transom that allows easy access aboard via a folding stern landing platform.

A big surprise is the twin steering wheels in the cockpit. Normally you wouldn't see this in a smaller yacht but Hanse has made this work so you get good steering control plus easy access through from the open transom. The tiller is standard, however, I believe the twin, leather-bound wheels are the way to go.

Sail power comes from a tall, fractional rig that stands 47-feet above the waterline and is supported by twin swept-back spreaders with chainplates mounted right on the gunwale. The racing pedigree is very evident in details like this.

Headsails are all non-overlapping and as standard you get a Elvstrom self-tacking jib which is trimmed via one of the two cabin Lewmar 40ST winch.

The sail comes with a Selden jib furler and vertical battens so it’s really easy to handle.

The big 29sq m mainsail is an Elvstrom fully-battened type which is easy to raise and lower thanks to an optional lazy-bag/lazy jack stowage system.

As we motored out onto a sun-baked Pittwater. I was glad of the optional bimini awning over the helm position. This sits behind the backstay with provision for an extension awning for'ard so the whole cockpit can be covered when not using the mainsail.

With furling gear it took us less than a minute to be sailing along in a fresh north east breeze. With two of us aboard I didn't have to do much other than steer as Ric Hawkins did all the trimming.

As the photos show the test boat has optional teak seat decking around the cockpit which looks great. However, I would like some cockpit cushions for a longer day on the water. Maybe you could add this later yourself.

With the breeze about 8-14 knots we were averaging 6 knots, or better upwind, which really is impressive for a 31-footer. Helping us squeeze the best speed out of the boat was a B&G Triton wind instrument display within the companionway hatch console. There is also repeater displays at both helm stations so the skipper is spoilt for choice. Or put it another way, less excuse not to win!

The self-tacker impressed me especially as the breeze freshened. It cuts out the hassle of winching when you tack. That said, in light wind races, or passages the optional full-size headsail will be worthwhile having even if it means manual sheeting on each tack.

Easing into a beam reach we were doing 7 knots plus at times. The self-tacker headsail doesn't like square running so we tacked downwind doing around 5.5-6 knots. This worked out pretty well and we got down the bay pretty quickly by working the wind shifts to our advantage.

The standard Hanse deck package is generous and includes two extra Lewmar 40STs aft for the mainsail, or operating sail controls from the helm when solo sailing. You also get an adjustable backstay, mainsail traveller with control lines, Selden vang, barber haulers and Selden mast/boom. We also had the optional Dyneema jib and mainsail halyards than ensure less stretch.

We had the upgrade 18hp diesel which zipped us along at 7 knots so I would expect the standard 12hp diesel would a bit slower but acceptable for most inshore boating. However, whatever engine package you chose please get the optional folding propeller, otherwise sailing performance will be compromised.

VERDICT - A great downsizing option as well as first serious yacht It's a pleasure to find a yacht this size so nicely designed and having virtually all the key cruising features. I'm not surprised the first wave of local buyers has been yachties down-sizing from bigger yachts. No doubt they're seeking a yacht that's easy to handle with less crew and cheaper to marina berth.

Hopefully there's going to be the younger generation buying into the Hanse 315 as well, because she's a great starting point for yacht ownership and easy on family budgets.

LIKE - Good all round sailing performance - Practical interior for overnight cruising - Twin wheel steering and easy transom access

NOT SO MUCH - Headroom a bit cramped in for'ard cabin - Folding propeller being an extra - Stove needs a protective crash bar

Specifications: Hanse 315 Price From: $175,000 Price as Rested  $238,435 LOA: 9.62m LWL: 8.70m Beam: 3.35m Displacement: 4.7 tonnes Ballast: 1.5 tonnes Mainsail Area: 29.5sq m Self-tack Jib: 17.5sq m Auxiliary: 12hp diesel Fuel Tankage: 100lt Water Tankage: 230lt

Supplied by: Team Windcraft Bayview Anchorage Bayview NSW Phone (02) 9979 1709 See Windcraft

Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Boatsales Network's mobile site . Or download the App for smartphone and tablet.

Stay up to date

Become a boatsales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

• Katy Stickland
• January 26, 2018

Having a light, bright interior transforms the feel of a boat, but she needs to sail well too. Graham Snook goes to see what the Hanse 388 is really like

Product Overview

Manufacturer:.

See Yachting Monthly December 2017 for the full test

Boat shows are great for comparing boats, find a couple you like, walk off one and onto the next, and you get a real feel for the differences between them.

There are a lot of ways to ‘sell’ boats, such as adding extra lamps, light upholstery and bright cushions. Surprisingly, the Hanse 388 had none of these when she was exhibited at the 2017 Southampton Boat Show and yet she still seemed light compared to many other boats of her class.

Of course, optional pale-coloured French oak interior, and white panels helped but her charcoal grey saloon cushions didn’t. It must have been the 19 windows in the deck then! While she might sound like a greenhouse, she sails like a yacht, and a good one too.

Performance

Although it was October, it was still a lovely day to be out on the Solent. We had the full range of a Force 4 between 10-17 knots.

She is quite a stiff boat to sail and was able to carry full sail on the wind to over 18 knots. If we had more wind, carrying full sail might be pushing our luck, however, even hard-pressed in the gusts she failed to lose grip and was still manoeuvrable while well heeled.

Nothing during the test fazed her, even heading into the wake of passing ferries was uneventful. Once the sails are set, there is little more for the crew to do as the helm has all sail controls within their reach.

Should the crew wish to get involved, there is just enough room to access the winches forward of the wheel. Under engine, this boat had a 2-bladed fixed propeller and at 2,500 rpm she made 6 knots, although down below was a little loud.

At the helm

Should you relinquish one of the two wheels, you may find it hard to get the helm back again – such is the feeling through the Jefa steering; it was delightful.

Finger-light and responsive, with so little friction, it just seemed right. I wish steering systems like this were the rule, rather than the exception.

Under the slightly raised helm seats outboard are deep, handy rope bins, like the 385, however aft, rather than fixed transom lockers there are now flip up seats above lazarette lockers.

Sadly the liferaft locker that opened out on the transom (to port) has gone, without a suitable replacement being offered. Just forward of each of the two helm positions are Lewmar 40ST winches that take all the lines from the mast, including mainsail and jib sheets.

It makes it a bit tricky to raise the mainsail because to get a decent heave on the halyard the crew has to be facing aft – as can’t see what they are pulling – or, if left to the helm, they have the wheel, throttle control, sheets and halyard to contend with, by the end of hoisting the mainsail the latter two had covered the former two.

Continues below…

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 440

It's not often a mainstream builder will step out of its comfort zone, but Jeanneau's new Sun Odyssey 440 is…

Hylas 46 review

What are the hallmarks of a good round-the-world boat? To find out, Chris Beeson steps aboard one that has spent…

RM 970 review

How many luxuries would you be willing to give up for a cracking sailing boat? Graham Snook tests the RM…

What’s she like to sail?

The 388 was a lovely boat to sail, with a feel on the helm usually reserved for more expensive yachts. The Jefa steering was light and responsive with excellent feedback.

There was a nice weight to the helm and nothing I could to do during the test would make her lose control or misbehave; she remained composed and in control, whether she was hard on the wind or thrown into a fast tack.

Both the self-tacking jib and the mainsail can be controlled from around the wheels; the mainsheet on both sides, the jib to starboard, the crew can help the helm, but the winch position doesn’t offer the most ergonomic position to winch from.

Once the sails are set the crew can sit back and relax; the helm has all controls at their fingertips with all lines being brought aft to either helm.

Would she suit you and your crew?

If you judge her against other 38 foot boats you may be a little disappointed as her hull length is only 36 feet.

However, compare boats of a similar size and you’ll have a lot to like. I’m not wholly convinced that twin aft cabins at the expense of deck storage space is good on a cruising yacht of this size – I was struggling to think of somewhere to store a dinghy for the crew it will be required to transport – even if the liferaft was stored on deck.

I can only report on the boat I test; a shame because with better deck stowage she could have easily been a five-star boat.

If you want twin aft-cabins buy a bigger boat.

However, with the larger galley and deep deck locker stowage that the single aft cabin layout provides she’s one of the best boats in her class.

The 388 makes sailing easy. If you’re the type of sailor who likes to tweak she may not fulfil your needs unless you opt for some extras, but if you’re after a boat that is easy to sail and delightful on the helm then few other yachts can compete.

Facts and Figures:

Price £210,930 Inc VAT LOA 11.4m (37ft 5in) LWL 10.40m (34ft 1in) Beam 3.90m (12ft 12in) Draught 2.06m (6ft 9in) Displacement 8,270kg (18,232 lb) Ballast 2,380kg (5,247 lb) Ballast ratio 28.8% Sail area 72m2 (775sq ft) SA/D ratio 17.9 Diesel 160 litres (35 gal) Water 295 litres (64 gal) Engine 30hp Transmission Saildrive RCD category A Designer Judel/Vrolijk / HanseYachts Design Builder Hanse Yachts UK Agent Inspiration Marine Group Tel 02380 457008 Website www.hanseyachts.co.uk