2018 Hanse 388 review

The well known German Hanse brand has hit the Aussie market with a brand new 8-Series yacht range that delivers a fresh look and impressive innovations.

The new range makes its debut at the 2018 Sydney Boat International Show in just a few weeks with four models – the Hanse 548, 418, 388 and 348.

The Hanse 388 fills a very important market slot for the German brand, especially in Australia where yachts around the 36-38ft range have always been very popular as family cruiser/racers. At 37ft 5in overall, the 388 matches this market sweet spot – especially in terms of cabin space and cockpit room.

Replacing the very popular Hanse 385, the new Hanse 388 delivers a totally new deck, fresh styling and big improvements such as fold-up helm seats behind twin steering wheels.

Sailing in a light breeze, it's obvious too that the new Hanse 388 has some extra sparkle in its performance. It's no lightweight at 8270kg displacement yet it glides along easily in light air thanks to its efficient hull design and tall rig.

A new L-shaped keel provides a slimmer-section bulb and this together with more hull weight makes it stiffer and able to sail better upwind.

A self-tacking headsail is standard, so no grinding and grunting on winches for the 388’s crew! In short, this is a great choice for couples to sail on their own, or even do a twilight race.

Below decks the new Hanse sports a lighter, brighter interior thanks to new interior finishes and lots more natural light.

It's competitively pitched too with a base sail-away starting from $319,800.

Our test boat, well equipped with options like FCL performance sails, B&G Navigation pack, cockpit teak trim and table, Fusion sound system, electric windlass-anchor, auto-pilot and three-cabin layout, costs $389,000.

All prices are ex-Sydney and include commissioning and anti-fouling.

The Hanse 388 retains the same powerful, no-nonsense cropped-end design that has always been a big selling point for the German yachts. Build quality is also first-rate and true to the Hanse tradition.

A big volume hull and wide stern makes the Hanse 388 a powerful beast in a breeze since it is just about all waterline length.

The famous Judel/Vrolijk German design team do all the Hanse models and it's very evident in the clean, efficient keel and rudder appendages on this 388 model.

Looking closely you’ll notice there's quite a lot of fullness in the bow sections. In turn, this helps to balance the Hanse 388 when it is heeled over and is a great anti-roundup feature, especially sailing offshore.

While the Hanse 388 carries its beam to a wide transom, the stern sections actually taper in at the waterline to a vee. This helps to reduce water drag and is one of the reasons it sails along so nicely in lighter winds.

I also like the extra large and deep spade rudder set right aft for maximum helm control. This also ensures a nice balanced feel under sail with only finger-tip control needed in light airs.

There's a choice of shoal-draft (1.62m) keel, however, the new L-keel (2.06m) is definitely the best option if you want to race and get the best performance upwind.

Complimenting the modern hull is a tall alloy mast reaching 57ft 9in above water level. The deck-stepped spar has a state-of-the-art fractional rig with a twin swept-spreaders mounting on the gunwales. Combined with the adjustable backstay, this rig has lots of support and is quite easy to tune through the wind range.

The Hanse 388 slipped along easily under its 27hp sail-drive diesel and manoeuvred easily. The twin steering wheels provide light, easy steering and also allowed us to dock the boat like a pro as you can steer and see from either side.

Out in the channel it took less than eight minutes to get the mainsail hoisted and the jib set. The mainsail lives in a lazy-jack bag and once the cover is unzipped you're sailing in no time.

All sail controls including halyards run underdeck to the winches next to the helm so it's easy to hoist sail, even when short-handed.

We got the sails up without hassle but I suspect some less agile sailors might want the optional electric winches. Our test boat came with the standard twin Lewmar 40 ST EVOs but you can have these same winches with electric power for an extra $8663.

Once unfurled, the jib is controlled via a single sheet leading to the starboard helm winch. While steering, it's pretty easy to adjust the jib and mainsheet trim so the Hanse 388 is great news for the solo-sailor.

The mainsail sheet runs to both sheet winches so it's always easy to adjust from either side.

In a stronger wind you might need more crew assistance with trimming and sail hoisting, however, tacking is just as easy and probably more so in strong winds.

Our SE breeze was already fading by the time we got sailing. However, we still had enough puff and were getting a very respectable top speed of 5.0kt (the wind speed was hardly any more) which is darn impressive for a cruiser/racer.

Sailing is made easy too by the big 12-inch B&G speed/wind/depth display mounted on the back of the cockpit table. Clever idea!

Overall, I just love the Hanse cockpit. You have comfortable helm seats behind each wheel that fold up against the pulpit when not needed.

With both seats up and the rear transom door down you have a huge walk-in space at the stern. With a swim ladder on the stern and a hot/cold cockpit shower, summer days afloat are going to be enjoyable.

The standard sail-drive diesel does the job too and only on long-distance cruises would you contemplate the optional 38hp upgrade.

By the way, you can boost cruising speed under sail by flying an optional gennaker or crossover sail off the yacht's fixed stainless steel bowsprit. The latter is a flat-cut sail that roll ups and would really turbocharge speed on a reach.

The Hanse 388’s cockpit provides a very comfortable space for four to six people and includes comfortable coaming backrests and a centre table for meals and drinks. The table also incorporates a stainless steel grab rail, so it also provides a safety feature.

A canvas dodger over the cabin entrance protects the cockpit, as does a folding bimini awning over the helm. Our test boat also had a zip-away awning between the dodger and bimini.

Heading below, the roomy living quarters are very smart and definitely up to a longer stay aboard.

There's a comfortable-sized bathroom to port with separate washbasin, shower and toilet. To starboard is the galley with L-shaped bench providing a dual sink, electric fridge and a two-burner LPG gas stove.

Behind the companionway on the test boat are identical double-berth guest cabins, each with a small hanging locker, overhead hatches and big hull windows for added light.

Unless you're got a big family, however, when specifying your Hanse 388, I'd opt for the standard version that has just one guest cabin (portside) and an extra big stowage locker to starboard. If nothing else, it’s somewhere to stow the inflatable dinghy.

The main saloon provides a comfortable U-shaped lounge to starboard off a central table with fold-out flaps. On the portside of this entertaining area is a two-seater settee lounge that doubles as a seat for a navigational station.

The latter has a proper chart table and drawer and the whole lot slides down to convert this port settee into a bigger lounge or berth.

Up forward is a surprisingly roomy master cabin with large double berth and two big hanging lockers. The vee-berth has reading lamps either side with USB slots so you can charge smartphones as you sleep.

Overall, the ambiance below is light and bright with extra windows in the hull sides and overhead ports and skylights. The Hanse 388’s modern decor certainly makes for a below-decks area that's inviting and liveable.

Talking of which, there's a wide choice of timber trim and fabrics so you can really customise the 388. That said, I really liked the test boat’s light French oak trim and a dark grey mushroom upholstery – with a splash of red cushions and covers it looks very smart.

It's great to see such a modern, on-trend yacht hit the market right now. The Hanse 388 really delivers on cruiser/racer comfort and provides a very cruise-friendly cockpit for summer or winter boating.

I'm pleased to see the test boat with a folding propeller because it really helps sailing performance whether you cruise or race. I was less pleased there doesn't seem to be provision for deck tracks for a larger headsail, however, our test boat had the secondary cockpit winches that helps if you set a bigger headsail (and, of course, set a Gennaker or Crossover sail).

While the Hanse 388 leans more towards cruiser than racer, it should make a good account of itself in club handicap racing.

The brochure confirms it will do 6.7kt upwind in 14 knots at 41-degrees. And that should keep the club sailor and twilight wind warrior happy!

Supplied by: Windcraft Yachts