NO-FUSS CRUISING

Unquestionably some of that’s due to attitudinal expectations, bigger being considered better. What’s really made bigger yachts even possible are the technological advances in sail handling systems. The Hanse 508 typifies these changes.

DOCKSIDE

Like all boats in the Hanse range, the 508’s been designed by Judel/Vrolijk, with hull and decks being GRP balsa sandwich, laid with vinylester resin and an isophthalic gelcoat. Bucking the current trend towards chines and twin rudders, the Hanse’s hull is round bilge with a deep single rudder. The keel is cast iron and there are two depth options, drawing 1.98m and 2.4m respectively. Ours had the deeper keel – some 400kg lighter than the shallower version.

Given the height of her topsides, most people will find it considerably easier to board the Hanse from the well-designed boarding platform at the stern. This leads to a cockpit which has been designed to locate the sailing operations away from the main seating areas.

Moving forward from each of the