10 Jan
Derek and Gillian Crombie and their family have spent the last year sampling the beautiful islands that dot New Zealand’s Haruaki Gulf.
During that time they’ve spent up to 50 days on their Hanse 460, giving them a very good idea of the big cruiser’s suitability for both short getaways and longer cruising stays.
Since its launch in 2021, the award-winning Hanse 460 has cemented its credentials as a step-change in design thinking and a whole new perspective of what’s possible to achieve in a boat of this size, along with a new level of cruising comfort.
From the dozens of layouts on offer, the Crombies opted for a four-cabin two-head version of the 460 with a bunk room to starboard as you come down the companionway. It’s probably the ultimate family cruising configuration accommodating eight sleeping in absolute comfort, from the expansive Owners cabin with en-suite in the bow, to the two roomy aft double cabins, plus the bunk room giving younger kids their own space.
“It’s fantastic,” Derek happily informs Windshift. “It actually doesn’t take up much space over a standard layout. That extra metre that goes into the bunk room you don’t really notice,” he argues. “Sometimes we use the bunk room as a storage room. We mainly use it for young kids and they absolutely love it. It’s like a little cave for them,” he relates.
In addition to the factory fitted cruising and nav packages Aspiring (460 #104), received a big upgrade to its power and battery systems including three 160Ah AGM batteries, a Victron inverter, Balmar alternator, as well as four 150w rigid solar panels mounted on the bimini. Derek says the additions means they have more than enough power for all their requirements.
“The setup works really well and we could convert to lithium easily now but we don’t need to,” he reveals. “We never go below 75 per cent charge overnight and the solar achieves 100 per cent by midday. Our normal solar charge is between 200 and 300 watts given shading and flat panels so it’s pretty good,” he reports with satisfaction.
An optional second forestay gives them greater flexibility from their Quantum sail wardrobe consisting of a reacher, self-tacker, and a horizontally battened mainsail that drops neatly into lazy jacks. “We sail a lot just the two of us, but it’s not a big deal,” Derek tells us.
Having crewed on a number of 460s now, Windshift has repeatedly heard how well-balanced the acclaimed Berret-Racoupeau design is. Derek’s perspective is:
“The boat sails beautifully. One of the comments I make is ‘a beginner could sail this boat because you don’t have to fiddle a lot with sail adjustment’. We can get seven to nine knots upwind in 14 knots of wind, [better than the factory supplied VPP]. We can point to 42 (degrees), sometimes 40,” he emphasises.
“It points really well, especially in lighter winds,” he continues. “I think that’s got to do with how the stern in undercut which means less wetted surface and less drag,” Derek explains.
“Most of our sailing is cruising. We head out for six to ten days, throughout the Hauraki Gulf. The boat is a really nice balanced package. We especially like the cockpit layout (twin tables with generous lounging space).
“Last Christmas we had up to ten people on it, two families with four adults and six kids and they were out for a week without any trouble. The storage space is really good, and everything integrates well such as the galley and the seating area in the saloon,” he says.
One of the 460’s standout features is its enormous internal volume for a boat in its size category. Derek praises the headroom in the saloon and heads, and rates the 460’s galley as well-laid and functional but defers to Gillian who manages often the most challenging task on the boat, with aplomb.
“We have mainly stir-fries and grills,” she responds to Windshift’s enquiry about popular on-board dining options. “Though I used the oven recently for the first time and they were the best scones I’ve ever made,” Gillian qualifies. “And there’s plenty of bench space, we’ve had two of us working in there no problem at all.”
The 460’s overall space and flexibility have proved their worth on their regular outings on the expanse of the Hauraki Gulf, stretching 120 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide, making it New Zealand’s largest marine reserve.
“Our real go-to is Kawau Island, and Bon Accord Harbour. It’s about a 35 nautical mile sail so if it’s a nice day you can get there in five of six hours,” Derek recounts.
Kawau is often referred to as the pick of the Hauraki Gulf’s more than 50 islands. Spanning 2,000 hectares with a National Park it’s known for its scenic hiking, sub-tropical micro-climate and clean beaches.
According to the cruising guides dinghy docks make the island easily accessible by cruising sailors while Bon Accord Harbour which the Crombie’s rate as their favourite anchorage is a long inlet which almost bisects the island and offers good protection in most winds.
From Kawau it’s short hop across to Waiheke Island, the home of Stonyridge Vineyard that
put NZ wine on the international map in the mid 1980’s. Then it’s on to Ponui Island, with its rolling grass-covered hills, pockets of bush and sheltered bays with white sandy beaches.
“You can get off the boat and do heaps of stuff,” Derek says. “We’ve got a stand-up paddleboard and a 2.8 metre Highfield tender that sits snugly in front of the mast and it’s easy to launch and get back out of the water.”
Experienced cruisers Derek and Gillian’s previous boat was a Hanse 388, but Derek doesn’t think the 460 is more difficult to manage despite the size difference.
“Quite honestly I haven’t noticed it being any harder,” he states. “In fact the extra size gives me more confidence. When there’s a bit of a seaway with the 460 you’re just that little bit higher and beamier. You really feel you’re on top of the seas.”
He does admit though to being glad of having the bow thruster a few times but says they often don’t require it as the 460 “handles pretty well and it tracks well into a berth, because we have a pretty tight berth (at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron).”
Hanse’s DNA of easy sailing with just a few crew perfectly suits the Crombies who never tire of the unique perspective the sea offers from the deck of a sailing yacht.
“A nice day with 15 knots of breeze reaching across the Hauraki Gulf with the promise of a wine or a beer at the end of the day is hard to beat,” Derek sums-up. While for Gillian it’s the rich kaleidoscope of the cruising experience.
“I like to watch everything going past, what’s happening all around me,” she recounts. “I love seeing the boats, seeing who’s who – I’m a bit nosy,” Gillian laughs. “And looking for the birds and sea-life, the little blue penguins and the shearwaters when they’re diving, they’re fascinating to watch,” she adds.
“We’ll often stick it on autohelm,” Derek confides. “Then sit back and have a cup of tea, keeping an eye out for wildlife. We’ve also seen orcas, dolphins, and sharks. There’s always something to see,” he says.
And given the 460’s confidence inspiring sea-handling traits these laid-back adventurers are considering voyages deep into the nearby South Pacific, including Tonga and Fiji.
“We’re talking with Iain Bishop (from Windcraft NZ), about getting up to Category 1 status and have it ready,” Derek explains. “Then as the desire builds, we can do it,” he affirms.
However, before the 460’s big reacher is unfurled for the palm-fringed lagoons of the South Seas there are still a few premier destinations in New Zealand’s magnificent cruising grounds to enjoy.
“We’re hoping to get up to the Bay of Islands in a couple of weeks’ time,” he says, conceding it’s “always a bit of fight as to who gets the wheel.”
A tough dilemma indeed, but anywhere the Crombies choose to point Aspiring’s bow they can do so secure in the knowledge she will get them there in style, comfort and safety.
More information on the Hanse 460 here: windcraftyachts.com/sailing-yachts/hanse-460
