Hanse 400e

 

Issue: March 2006

Pegasus Offers More For Less

Here's a new cruising yacht that'll blow the twilight racers away.

WORDS + PHOTOS BARRY TRANTER

Hanse boats were clever but conservative cruiser/racers until they introduced the 531 two years ago. For the 531, naval architects Judel/Vrolijk turned the range's styling on its head and drew a bluff, aggressive, almost austere boat influenced by the Mediterranean fondness for clean lines.

The result was a sort of superyacht, in that extreme style played a major role. It was a superyacht only 53ft long. The 531 was way ahead of its time. There's still nothing quite like it, except for its smaller sister.

It was inevitable that this styling would affect the genetic development of the smaller Hanses. This 400e is not as dramatic as the 531, but it's a modern, plumb-ended, broad-sterned hull with a tall rig to give a big mainsail. Why? Because a self-tacking jib can only be so big, and a Hanse without a self-tacker is like Abbott without Costello.

Is that a political joke? You can decide that one for yourself.

Judel/Vrolijk have given the hull of the 400e a healthy displacement/length ratio and the sail area/displacement figure confirms the 400e has the physical properties needed for a broader race career than the 411 it replaces.

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An important factor is the 'e' in 400e ? it stands for epoxy and is listed as an option by Hanse ? and importer Peter Hrones will specify the epoxy lay-up for all boats for the Australian market. One of the numerous advantages is that the epoxy saves 500kg; displacement drops from 8500kg to 8000kg.

The keel is like a reversed 'L' in profile; the bulb projects aft of the trailing edge. As is the current fashion, the rudder is very deep. A shallower keel (and rudder) can be requested as an option.

The Hanse's dual cruiser/racer role is evident in the cockpit. The wheel is right aft and, on this boat, the mainsheet traveller is on the coachroof. The mainsheet is led to the portside primary winch right alongside the steering station. The jib sheet goes to starboard; the helmsman can work the boat without moving from the steering position. But let's face it, with a self-tacking jib, not much work is needed anyway.

Hanse are smart; if you want to emphasise the racer side of your cruiser/racer's dual personality, you can order the mainsheet traveller mounted across the cockpit right in front of the heavy duty steering binnacle.

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