Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

New Hanse 460 proves a crowd pleaser with style and substance

by Windcraft Yachts 17 Oct 2022 23:36 PDT

It's a long way from the shores of the Baltic Sea to Moreton Bay in Queensland but sailors know an exceptional yacht when they see one - as evidenced by the strong interest shown in the new Hanse 460 at its recent Australian and New Zealand launch.

The 460 was the star attraction of a mini boat show held by Windcraft Yachts at the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in the Brisbane bayside suburb of Manly.

Dockside admirers were appreciative of the award-winning luxury cruiser's exterior aesthetics: angular looks, sleek and powerful hull lines, and reverse bow. The 460's huge cockpit, generous freeboard and ample beam were also commented on, and there was high praise for the yacht's stylish interior and superior appointments.

Manufactured by the Hanse Group in Greifswald, Germany, the Hanse 460 has proved a big hit on the international yachting scene, winning a coveted European Yacht of the Year Award in the Family Cruiser category and an astounding 250 hulls sold to date - making it one of the most successful new yachts ever produced by the leading global brand.

Australian and Kiwi sailors have been quick to secure a dozen examples of the new model, with the first Australian 460 superbly set-up for extended stays in Queensland's world-class cruising grounds. Ohana boasts a T-top that shields the entire cockpit from the elements, along with a host of extras including a handy fridge in cockpit, an additional freezer in the utility room which also contains a washer/dryer, an upgraded 80hp engine, solar panels, the very latest lithium-ion battery technology and B&G navigation systems.

Windcraft's Managing Director Anthony Bishop was on-hand to talk with many of those eager who to look over the 460 an all-new design from acclaimed French naval architects Berret-Racoupeau, well-known for their innovative and stylish creations.

"People love the initial look," he agrees. "It is a stunning looking boat but then as you peel back the layers you find that's underpinned by real substance and the thought gone into the little details," Bishop says.

He also highlights the Hanse 460's emphasis on sailing performance and handling with a knuckle above the waterline and rounded rounded chine towards the stern combining to produce a highly efficient hull shape, leaving minimal wake. He reports a post-show test sail saw the boat easily achieve 8.5 knots in 12knots of wind.

Equally impressive is the level of interior finishes, furniture and materials that Hanse is confident will elevate the 460 above other production offerings. "The build quality is another step up for Hanse with the interior finish being something everyone commented on," Bishop noted.

The overall volume of the boat was another talking point, with the observation that the increased aft beam of the 460 also allows for much larger and spacious cabins that feel extra roomy for a boat of this size.

Changing trends are also factoring into the decisions of potential buyers and the 460's LOA (length overall) of 14.6 metres, coming in under 15 metres gives it an added advantage when its amount of liveaboard space is taken into account. Many cruisers are finding larger marina berths over 15 metres increasingly difficult to secure.

There has been substantial interest in the Hanse 460 from New Zealand and the first hull destined for Auckland is arriving this week before heading to the paint shed and then commissioning and handover toward the end of November.

Despite the unprecedented demand for the Hanse 460, Windcraft still has a few hulls arriving that are still available but Bishop doesn't expect them to last long given the enthusiasm displayed at the mini-show.

"Clearly this design has ticked a lot of boxes for people," he acknowledges. "As the factory apply this same winning formula to the larger and smaller Hanse models, we will see a big leap forward for our industry" he predicts. And that's good news for anyone contemplating buying a cruising boat that combines functionality, easy handling, versatility and style.

For more information visit www.windcraftyachts.com.

Related Articles

Dylan Fletcher previews Portsmouth
Fletcher says SailGP's Portsmouth debut offers the team the chance to 'right the wrongs'. With just a week to go until SailGP's return to Great Britain, we sit down with Emirates GBR driver Dylan Fletcher to discuss the opportunities and pressures of a home event. Posted today at 8:57 am
Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted today at 2:43 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20 Posted today at 12:11 am
Best Buddies from Germany win the AEGEAN 600 2025
The second wave of finishers benefit from last night's steadier breezes Behind the first wave of finishers yesterday morning, yesterday and last night's steadier breezes helped sweep in another wave of Monohull and Multihull finishers to the race finish at Cape Sounion. Posted on 11 Jul
Conversation with Ben Willows: CEO RS Marine Group
Some people's passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA There are some people whose passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA. Ben Willows is one of those people. Posted on 11 Jul
101st Bayview Mackinac Race starts on Saturday
A massive fleet of 183 monohulls and 9 multihulls will set off to race entire length of Lake Huron It is one day to go, and the fleet is assembled in Port Huron before the start of the 101st Bayview Mackinac Race, organized by the Bayview Yacht Club and presented by National Fleet Services. Posted on 11 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 4
Balanger dominates qualifying, storm cuts Gold fleet racing short Day four of the 2025 Moth World Championship opened at dawn with another early start for the 137 athletes from 25 nations competing on Lake Garda. Posted on 11 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds in Aarhus overall
Thrilling Medal Series closes out a spectacular week of high-stakes foiling in Denmark The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles. Posted on 11 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race. Posted on 11 Jul
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore! Posted on 11 Jul
Maritimo S SeriesV-DRY-XSea Sure 2025