20 Dec
The new Hanse 360 continues to garner attention and nominations for boating awards – the latest for European Yacht Of The Year 2025. The 360’s all-round volume is a definite talking point but we wanted to find out how she sails.
Inspiration Marine Group provided a Hanse 360 for a recent boat review by well-known UK sailing magazine Sailing Today. Inspiration Marine Director Phil Dollin was onboard for the test and Windshift was keen hear how the new Berret-Racoupeau design fared.
Windshift: Phil many thanks for talking with Windshift. You have been sailing and testing new Hanses for nearly two decades. What is your impression of the new Hanse 360 from a sailing perspective?
Phil Dollin: I have to admit when the new models with a zero (Hanse 460, Hanse 510, Hanse 410) came out I was initially a bit dubious of them because of their beamy dimensions. The Hanses have always sailed really well and I hoped this wasn’t a massive departure from what the Hanses were well known for.
When the first one the Hanse 460 was launched it sailed genuinely remarkably; it belies the way it looks at the stern. When you start coming down the range I enjoy them even more. The 360 is like that. It just takes off.
We had a full main, it was blowing 18-20 knots true wind. It just picked-up its heels and felt a lot a like a Dehler; good acceleration, pointing ability and a nice turn of speed.
WS: What kind of angles and numbers were you seeing?
PD: We were easily doing 30 degrees apparent and when a gust came through it didn’t overreact, there was no excess heeling. Even downwind with just the main and the (self-tacking) jib, we were sailing at about 160 degrees, the 360 was doing just over nine knots. It’s a super rewarding boat to sail.
WS: So, were you tacking through 80 degrees and how quickly did the boat get up to speed on the other tack?
PD: I generally over tack and bring it up those last five degrees as you get the speed coming on. Peter (Peter Boland from Sailing Today) asked what the tacking angle was and I said ‘I’ll just hit ten (degrees) eight times on the autopilot’, and it sat really happily from 30 to 30 (degrees) and obviously that was apparent. So, an 80-degree true tacking angle was easy.
See the video of the Hanse 360 under sail here: Courtesy – Inspiration Marine
WS: The cockpit looks huge for a 36-footer, with no need to squeeze between the table and the cockpit lounge seat?
PD: The first thing that strikes you when you step aboard is ‘wow this is a big 36’, and it’s more like a 40-footer of the recent past. That table is actually off a 410 and it doesn’t feel out of place.
WS: Downstairs the stand-out feature is the Owners cabin the bow with a large semi walk-around island bed with enough room for double pillows at the forepeak end, a real rarity for a boat in this size category. Does it live up to the claim?
PD: Yes, it’s a proper bed. And there’s plenty of space to stand and get dressed, storage is also good with decent sized wardrobes.
WS: What about the saloon and galley? Functional and plenty of room to move around?
PD: The test boat in the video is a two-cabin version with a nav table on the starboard side which I think will be the most popular for people who mainly want to cruise, the one with the extra heads in the Owners cabin is more for the charter market.
It’s a really nice galley. The fridge is 135 litres, two-burner stove, and the way the cupboards have been moved back above the stove gives you a really handy bit of work surface and the cupboards themselves are a useful size.
WS: There is the option for an additional double berth in the saloon? How is that configured?
PD: They have put quite a lot of thought into it. I think if you choose the two cabin, and I think a lot people will in that size boat, then it gives you a good option to boost accommodation for extra guest for the odd night or few nights, so I think it’s a good option.
WS: In terms of a replacement for the Hanse 388 is the Hanse 360 a comfortable and competent coastal cruiser?
PD: The boat felt really solid. Storage wise in the two-cabin layout [in which the aft port cabin is a very generous storage area], you would have loads of space to take everything you needed with you. I wouldn’t have any concerns in doing a decent trip in the 360.
WS: Where would a perfect weekend away be on the Hanse 360 be for you given you are located at Hamble with the Solent on your doorstep?
PD: I think you’d probably go to Lulworth Cove [according to cruising guides this horseshoe cove and pebble beach is a popular anchorage where you can swim off the boat in the warmer months], stopping at Newtown Creek on the first night. Generally, with a south-westerly you’d have nice run home.
WS: Thanks Phil hopefully we will have a chance to do that when we visit the UK. It’s been great to talk boats and the fantastic new Hanse 360 with you.
More information at: windcraftyachts.com/hanse-360
