Hanse Up

Testing a Hanse boat was always relatively simple. The German manufacturer worked for many years with the design team of Judel/Vrolijk and the result was a line of yachts that all looked and performed pretty similarly. They all had striking lines with a plumb bow, rounded transom, decent freeboard and a low coachroof that made them look rather modern, sleek and stylish. The steering was always inexplicably better than almost all rivals; finger light and sensitive. They were all clearly built to cost and this was reflected both in a very competitive price and the quality of the fit out. You could also count on them to have a big main with a self-tacking jib. End of story. It was a successful formula and, to be fair, one that Hanse stuck with for a good long time. Up until now in fact. The new Hanse 460 is a definitive break with this formula as the new boat is designed by the French team of Berret/Racoupeau. This is a design house that has worked a great deal with French rivals Jeanneau and Beneteau and has a very distinctive style all of its own.

This is most definitely reflected in