Boat & Sail

Builder · Mid · Greifswald, Germany

Hanse

German cruising sailboat builder, 1990-founded. Owned by Hanse Group. Cruising monohulls 31 to 67 feet, German production discipline.

Hanse cruising sailboat at sail
Founded
1990
Headquarters
Greifswald, Germany
Ownership
Hanse Group
Tier
Mid
Website
hanseyachts.com

Hanse is the German cruising sailboat builder from Greifswald, founded in 1990. The brand has grown into one of the volume European cruising-monohull builders, with the lineup running from the 315 entry through the 675 flagship. Hanse Group also owns Sealine, Dehler, and Moody.

The brand argument is German production discipline at the upper-mid cruising sailboat tier. Hanse cruising monohulls compete head-up with Beneteau Oceanis, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, and Bavaria on the European cruising segment. The self-tacking jib is a brand signature.

Our reviews

Hanse hulls we have on the water.

Hanse 388

Hanse

Hanse 388

The Hanse 388 is a 38-foot German production cruising monohull with a self-tacking jib, a Judel/Vrolijk hull, and a build philosophy that puts shorthanded sailing at the center of the design brief.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Hanse Hanse 315 / 348 / 388 / 418 / 458 / 508 / 548 / 588

The Hanse line is the volume cruising monohull range. Self-tacking jib standard, in-mast furling option, full standing-headroom in the cabin from the 388 up.

Things we like

  • · Self-tacking jib simplifies short-handed sailing
  • · German production discipline in the build details

Things we don't

  • · Pricing premium over Beneteau Oceanis at equivalent LOA
  • · Smaller dealer footprint in the US than Beneteau

Hanse Hanse 675

The 675 is the flagship. Master stateroom with separate dressing area, three or four guest cabins.

Things we like

  • · Flagship-class cruising volume
  • · German production discipline at the flagship LOA

Things we don't

  • · Pricing competes with full-custom yards at flagship segment
  • · Production volume small, used inventory thin

Buyer's guide

The Hanse story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Hanse was founded in 1990 in Greifswald, Germany. The brand grew through the 1990s and 2000s as the German cruising-sailboat segment expanded.

Hanse Group acquired Sealine in 2013 and consolidated production at the Greifswald facility. The group also owns Dehler and Moody.

Design philosophy

Hanse cruising monohulls use moderate-displacement hull form with the self-tacking jib as the brand signature. The hull is designed for cruising-sailing under-handed (short-handed) operation.

Volkswagen / Yanmar diesel saildrive is the standard engine rigging.

Used-market notes and known issues

Yanmar 4JH saildrive seal pattern on 2017 to 2020 hulls warrants inspection at five years.

Self-tacking jib track and car maintenance is a 200-hour service item.

In-mast furling boom service interval is 5 years.

Hanse Group dealer network is densest in Europe; US coverage is thin.

Resale

Hanse holds resale tightly in the European cruising-sailboat segment. Three-year depreciation runs 12 to 18 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 22 to 28 percent.

Where Hanse fits

Buyers cross-shop Hanse against Beneteau Oceanis, Jeanneau Sun Odyssey, Bavaria, and Dehler on the European cruising-monohull segment. The argument is German production discipline and the self-tacking jib.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

What is the self-tacking jib?
A jib that requires no genoa-track adjustment when tacking. The sail's clew runs on a self-adjusting traveler track, simplifying tacks for short-handed crews. Hanse uses self-tacking jib as a brand signature across most of the lineup.
Hanse vs Beneteau Oceanis?
Comparable cruising-monohull builders. Hanse gives self-tacking jib and German production discipline. Beneteau gives broader US dealer network and slightly larger volume. Cross-shop on dealer proximity and short-handed-sailing preference.
What's the maintenance cost on a Hanse 388?
Annual service on Yanmar 4JH saildrive runs $1,500 to $2,500. Bottom paint $700 to $1,400. Sail service $800 to $1,500. Storage $1,500 to $4,000 indoor. Insurance for a $250K hull runs $1,400 to $2,800.
Where are Hanses built?
Greifswald, Germany. Hanse Group facility, shared with Sealine, Dehler, and Moody.

Compare

Categories Hanse fits.

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