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Hanse extends elegant 8 series
BY ADMIN • APRIL 27, 2018 • BREAKING NEWS, HOMEMOSAIC, YACHTS • COMMENTS (0) • 53
This German boat builder has updated the core of its range, with revised or all-new designs denoted by a figure 8 at the end of the model number. In an era in which many companies have transitioned to twin rudder boats with chined hulls it’s notable that Hanse has opted to stay with single rudders and no chines.
Many of the key improvements compared to earlier models are below decks, where Hanse is continuing to differentiate its products from the slightly lower priced mass-market competition. The furniture has rounded corners, which are more expensive to manufacture, but create a safer and more stylish environment. There is now real glass in the windows and, other than on the smallest models, the saloon is intended to look more like an inviting lounge area, rather than being optimised solely for eating. On deck there is proportionately larger sail area than on older Hanse models and the larger designs have a second forestay for a heavy weather headsail.
The smallest boat in the series is the Hanse 348. This has twin wheels set well aft in the cockpit, with a helm seat for each one and a big fold-down bathing platform like the larger models in the range. The two-cabin version of this boat benefits from a huge heads compartment with a separate shower area.
The 388 offers more space behind the wheels than in the cockpit of the 348, and it’s possible to reach the clutches easily from the helm, although the primary winches are still a stretch. The forward part of the cockpit is also more spacious than that of the smaller boat, with longer seats and better separation from the sailing area.
Below decks the layouts are ostensibly similar, but the galley has much more in the way of fixed worktop space and the whole interior less of an “excuse me” factor when more than one person is moving around. Both aft cabins have an impressive amount of natural light, but ventilation with the doors closed is limited to a smallish opening port in the cockpit well. There’s also a larger navigation station than the 348 and a much bigger forward owners cabin.
The 418, which was also launched earlier this year, has broadly similar layouts, but this boat’s extra size gives a surprising additional amount of volume in every area. These four models join the German boat builder’s existing larger 548 and 588 designs that were launched in 2016 and 2017.