The Hanse 410: a roomy and comfortable cruising platform.
In October of 2024, Jahn Tihansky had the opportunity to get aboard the new Hanse 410 cruising sailboat for a comprehensive look at the boat as well as a test sail. Here is his review:
For my evaluation day, I joined Katie Lange of SpinSheet and Keenan Hisinger from local dealer North Point Yacht Sales. We were fortunate to have 12-15 knots of northwesterly wind and smooth water. The three of us easily managed the boat under main and jib.
Germany-based Hanse has been building boats for 35 years (they also build the Dehler and Moody lines). Based on what I have seen from them, I would consider them to be targeting the same buyers as the French-built Beneteau and Jeanneau brands.
While I have spent much of my time sailing aboard performance-oriented designs, I have chartered numerous bareboats between 38 and 54 feet (mostly in the Caribbean), taught cruising courses on the Chesapeake and in New England, and appreciate cruising boats’ features and comforts.
Cruising comfort a priority
While a surprisingly good performer under sail, the 410 is clearly designed to prioritize cruising comfort with only a few performance-enhancing options being available.
The boat we sailed was equipped with optional in-mast mainsail furling and a non-overlapping self-tacking roller furling jib. The tall aluminum mast has double aft-swept spreaders secured to chainplates outboard at the rail. This sail configuration provided decent performance in the moderate winds we experienced but I’m guessing would leave one uninspired in lighter winds unless a cruising code zero and/or cruising spinnaker were added to the inventory. The boat tracked well and was light on the helm on all points of sail.
The mainsheet system is attached well forward on the boom leading down to fixed blocks on the cabin top, which keeps it well away from guests in the cockpit and allows for a dodger/full cockpit bimini combination. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to do any refined mainsail trimming. I’d be concerned about boom integrity when trimming hard, particularly given the optional powered winches. The self-tacking-jib track trims to a relatively short athwartships track, which keeps the side decks clear for walking forward but doesn’t allow for any lead adjustment when sailing off the wind.
The 410’s cockpit configuration is all about comfort and entertaining. The super-wide cockpit features large L-shaped seats port and starboard and separate height-adjustable tables for each side allowing conversion to dual sun lounges. Having eight for cocktails or dinner in the cockpit is totally doable. Aft of the tables are twin steering wheels and the sailing consoles.
All running rigging leads under the deck and back to the helm station consoles where there is a single-powered winch and jammer banks on each side. The design keeps the cockpit neat and clean but provides little room for crew to assist with sail handling or trimming. The wheel/binnacle locations push all but the thinnest drivers back against the helm seats; not a big deal when using the autopilot but a bit awkward during docking and other manual helming operations. There is an option for a second winch on each side to trim an optional larger headsail or spinnaker.
Pleasant surprises
A pleasant surprise was the boat’s cascading block-and-tackle backstay adjustment system. While I’d prefer a simple hydraulic ram tensioner, the block and tackle system had adequate purchase and provided us some control over sail shape, particularly when we wished to depower in the stronger puffs. Score one for the sailors onboard!
Forward on deck is a good-sized anchor locker with below-deck windlass and anchor roller built into the short bowsprit. The locker has plenty of room to stow a second anchor and rode. Aft just behind the wheels you find beam-to-beam cockpit lockers suitable for stowing fenders and other gear. The transom features a large fold-down swim platform, and our test boat even had an optional built-in barbecue and wet bar on the centerline along the stern rail. I’m still lamenting that we couldn’t test-drive those!
The 410’s ultramodern hull shape features a reverse raked bow and forward chines just above the waterline starting at the bow and fading amidships. These provide for a massive forward stateroom, yet narrowish bow sections below the waterline, which along with the long waterline, no doubt contributed to the better-than-expected speeds we saw. The max beam carries all the way to the stern which allows for the huge cockpit. Aft chines and the wide beam make for good sized aft double cabins on each side. There is a molded-in short bulwark down the entire length of the boat providing good footholding for safely moving about a wet deck when heeled.
Spacious, light interior
Where I feel the boat’s design focus comes to the fore is down below. The topside and cabintop portlights allow plenty of light and aesthetically diffuse the boat’s otherwise tall freeboard profile. The large L-shaped galley is aft to port and sufficiently sized. There is a two-burner stove/oven with reasonable cabinet space along with a freezer and drawers. Additional cabinet space is built into the L section under that counter.
Across from the galley is the aft main head which includes a separate shower stall. Our boat had twin aft double cabins, each with reasonable shelf and hanging locker storage and good headroom.
Forward of the head to starboard in the salon is a standup nav station (and an additional refrigeration box) and a comfortable settee. Across to port, the main dining settee and table allows room for four. There are cabinets and shelf space behind each settee and storage under the salon table. The salon area had six-foot, six-inch headroom throughout.
The forward master stateroom is huge for a 40-footer with an exceptionally large centerline double berth. With the topside-mounted portlights, it was quite attractive and comfortable. This stateroom also offered decent storage in lockers and on shelves and included the optional forward head.
Ten opening deck hatches as well as a few opening portlights on each side should ventilate the interior nicely.
Standard keel is a cast iron fin with L bulb drawing six to 11 feet. A shoal keel is available drawing five to seven feet. The standard auxiliary power, a 39-hp Yanmar diesel with a saildrive, moved the boat comfortably at seven-plus knots. Engine access is average behind the hinged companionway steps. Additional access panels are located in each aft cabin.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a decent sailing, roomy, and comfortable cruising platform with today’s modern appearance, put the Hanse 410 on your shortlist.
by Jahn Tihansky
Hanse 410 Specifications: LOA: 41.16’ (12.55m) | Beam: 14.08’ (4.29M) LWL: 37.91’ (11.55M) | Displacement: 21,341LBS (9680 kg)
Area Dealer: North Point Yacht Sales
About the Author: Jahn Tihansky is a freelance sailing coach, instructor, and marine consultant. He served 18 years as director of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Offshore Sailing Team. For the 12 years prior to that, he founded and ran J/World Sailing School in Annapolis. He holds a 100-ton masters USCG license and has logged thousands of miles cruising and racing both inshore and offshore aboard a wide variety of boats. Find him at chesapeakesailingsolutions.com.
2024 SpinSheet interview with Tihansky
