problems with new HANSE 540 e

Dear Carol

Welcome to the sufferers´ club of Hanse owners.

I´m the frustated owner of one of the first 531 delivered and over three years I have developed some know how on the multiple problems of the 531/540/630 series.

My recommendation is that you find a good Marine surveyor in your country to issue a report on the construction and systems defects and notify the company that solds the yacht right away of those found defects giving them a time scope to fix ALL the defects.

The problems you have found are just the start, your yacht will probably develop other problems on the propulsion system and you will have also problems soon with the halyard lines chafing and slipping through the stoppers. among many other small issues.

I will try to reply to your first questions


1.- Generator is stopping after 2-3 minutes of functioning

Check the diesel level on the tanks, as you said the Phillipi panels are just a toy. You can just have no diesel or air on the diesel line.

2.- main engine stopped 3 times while working

Same check...... That happened also to my 531 in Barcelona No diesel when the tank instrumet maked 47 liters.

3.- air condition in owner cabin is not working

I have received many reports of the AC systems failing, many owners just change the AC for something brand that really works.

4.- digital indicators of water and fuel are not function( both indicate wrong )

Yes as said they are toys, but they are nice ,,,arent they?.

5,- Compensation pump of the tanks are not functioning

I´m not sure what you call compensation pump

6.- halyards ( ropes ) for mainsail, jib and furling are damaged[

Bad luck....ask for new one at their cost.
 
7.- spinnaker boom topping down haul is missing from the spinnaker preparation and there are not indications how and where to be fixed on the deck of the boat although it has been paid for

Ask them to refit as per your specification, I have two spinnakers and a huge asymmetrical and a code zero and I have to refit the bow for proper installation.

8.- Genoa track are installed in the boat for 110 % instead of 140 % and other Genoa track cannot be installed because there are not installed the necessary reinforcement under the deck 

I cant belive this...or better said yes I can belive anything concerning hanse.

9.-The chart plotter can not be updated by Simrad representative in Romania and they have informed us that a new USB memory stick must be installed

Many of us simply install Raymarine..sorry we dont like simrad. Ask for them to pay for the update or get a refund on you simrad electronics and order some traymarine instrument . The SS pod can be refitted easily for the E 120 series.

10.- The cracks in bow were not repaired properly by Sailmarine

Notify them a time to get them done.

11.-the rod kicker has not been installed yet on the boat

idem notify them

12.- the light from the chart table is not working properly

That is a minor problem call and electrical tecnich and ask them to pay his bill.


13.-bowthruster commands are inverted

Idem, that is easy to fix changing a couple of wires on the thruster.


14.- The Genoa sail delivered is another brand from what we have o (they brought me a cheaper one instead of North Sail)

IMPORTANT Both the sail you have and the ones suposedly coming from North sails are very cheap filthy dacron sails. in my opinion you will do a good business by returning those sails to Hanse getting a refund and ordering any decent sail at a sailmaker. I can recommend some sailmakers that have cutted excellent sails should you need it.


15.- So,if you are starting to negociate or you decided to buy a Hanse 540e or any other model,prepare yourselves with lot of patience untill they will give you a call or answer to your problems, so ,to all of you :change the brand to someone who will treat you like a real client.

What you have to prepare it´s your lawyer sometimes...

Client in Hanse means nothing let´s look at this:

Just two days ago we were checking a defective propulsion system on a hanse 540 in barcelona. The vibration of the wheel on engine was terrible and the two persons from Hanse shipyard told us that this vibration was good to feel the sea.

Hanse thinks that Hanse customers are idiots.

In another check of asimilar prpblem one year ago they put the wheel break to minimize the vibration and they told us : well It is fixed!.

In another boat with a standing heel ( some 540 and 630 have up to 4º STANDING HEELING, check yours), , they pretend to change the mast trimming starboard to port to balance and unbalanced defectIve keel with a heeling to port.

Great and cheap idea!!!!!!

AND ON AND ON.....

Goods luck and let me know if I can be of any help to you.

ZenCap

Dear Solar

I have sent a private message.

Zencap

solar wrote: Hi, sorry about all the problems you have with 540e. Myself about to order this model, so all the information is very useful. Correct me if I am wrong, but all these problems are very much depend on your dealers approach. It must be sorted out well before it handles the boat to costumer... Reading this forum I came up to conclusion... Hanse boats are as good as good their dealers are. And in your case is as bad as your dealer... But you are free to choose dealer by yourself from any country. Just in your case it's too late.

Carol

In fairness, most of the items mentioned can be easily fixed by the dealer and as panos said, some you'll learn to fix yourself.

- generator is stopping after 2-3 minutes of functioning
- main engine stopped 3 times while working
>>> check fuel supply, feeder lines, pumps etc it may simply be contaminated fuel!


- air condition in owner cabin is not working
>>> make sure that the inlet for water is open. the unit will not work if sea water is not flowing (check also the pump is turned on!)

- digital indicators of water and fuel are not function( both indicate wrong )
>>> try calibration but you will never have them 100%

- compensation pump of the tanks are not functioning
>>>> what do you mean by this?

- halyards ( ropes ) for mainsail, jib and furling are damaged
>>>> ask your dealer to get you replacements from sparcraft. they are very fast normally and replacements are sent without hassles.

- spinnaker boom topping down haul is missing from the spinnaker preparation and there are not indications how and where to be fixed on the deck of the boat although it has been paid for
>>> this seems an upgrade by your dealer - check with them


- Genoa track are installed in the boat for 110 % instead of 140 % and other Genoa track cannot be installed because there are not installed the necessary reinforcement under the deck
>>> make sure you were given the right specifications of the boat!

- the chart plotter can not be updated by Simrad representative in Romania and they have informed us that a new USB memory stick must be installed
>>> the GB40 you can do it yourself! you can download the updates on a memory stick, remove the charts dongle and upgrade the system! it's very easy

- the cracks in bow were not repaired properly by Sailmarine
>>> tell them to do it properly

- the rod kicker has not been installed yet on the boat
>>> follow it up with your dealer - again sparcraft are normally very helpful


- the light from the chart table is not working properly
>>> ask your dealer to check it - it's a simple job

- bowthruster commands are inverted
>>> again easy - re-wiring of the terminals

- the Genoa sail delivered is another brand from what we have ordered (they brought me a cheaper one instead of North Sail)
>>> this must be coming from your dealer not hanse. check with your dealer!


I suggest you have a good discussion with your dealer as your boat simply needs to be properly commissioned. most of the items you mentioned are normal problems encountered whilst preparing such a large boat. I am sure that you will also discover some others but as panos said most of these can be easily fixed even by yourself and the more you fix yourself the more you get to know your boat and love it.

Enjoy your 540 it's a fantastic boat to sail.

Shawn

ZENYACHT wrote: Dear Carol Welcome to the sufferers´ club of Hanse owners. I´m the frustated owner of one of the first 531 delivered and over three years I have developed some know how on the multiple problems of the 531/540/630 series. My recommendation is that you find a good Marine surveyor in your country to issue a report on the construction and systems defects and notify the company that solds the yacht right away of those found defects giving them a time scope to fix ALL the defects. The problems you have found are just the start, your yacht will probably develop other problems on the propulsion system and you will have also problems soon with the halyard lines chafing and slipping through the stoppers. among many other small issues. I will try to reply to your first questions 1.- Generator is stopping after 2-3 minutes of functioning Check the diesel level on the tanks, as you said the Phillipi panels are just a toy. You can just have no diesel or air on the diesel line. 2.- main engine stopped 3 times while working Same check...... That happened also to my 531 in Barcelona No diesel when the tank instrumet maked 47 liters. 3.- air condition in owner cabin is not working I have received many reports of the AC systems failing, many owners just change the AC for something brand that really works. 4.- digital indicators of water and fuel are not function( both indicate wrong ) Yes as said they are toys, but they are nice ,,,arent they?. 5,- Compensation pump of the tanks are not functioning I´m not sure what you call compensation pump 6.- halyards ( ropes ) for mainsail, jib and furling are damaged[ Bad luck....ask for new one at their cost.   7.- spinnaker boom topping down haul is missing from the spinnaker preparation and there are not indications how and where to be fixed on the deck of the boat although it has been paid for Ask them to refit as per your specification, I have two spinnakers and a huge asymmetrical and a code zero and I have to refit the bow for proper installation. 8.- Genoa track are installed in the boat for 110 % instead of 140 % and other Genoa track cannot be installed because there are not installed the necessary reinforcement under the deck  I cant belive this...or better said yes I can belive anything concerning hanse. 9.-The chart plotter can not be updated by Simrad representative in Romania and they have informed us that a new USB memory stick must be installed Many of us simply install Raymarine..sorry we dont like simrad. Ask for them to pay for the update or get a refund on you simrad electronics and order some traymarine instrument . The SS pod can be refitted easily for the E 120 series. 10.- The cracks in bow were not repaired properly by Sailmarine Notify them a time to get them done. 11.-the rod kicker has not been installed yet on the boat idem notify them 12.- the light from the chart table is not working properly That is a minor problem call and electrical tecnich and ask them to pay his bill. 13.-bowthruster commands are inverted Idem, that is easy to fix changing a couple of wires on the thruster. 14.- The Genoa sail delivered is another brand from what we have o (they brought me a cheaper one instead of North Sail) IMPORTANT Both the sail you have and the ones suposedly coming from North sails are very cheap filthy dacron sails. in my opinion you will do a good business by returning those sails to Hanse getting a refund and ordering any decent sail at a sailmaker. I can recommend some sailmakers that have cutted excellent sails should you need it. 15.- So,if you are starting to negociate or you decided to buy a Hanse 540e or any other model,prepare yourselves with lot of patience untill they will give you a call or answer to your problems, so ,to all of you :change the brand to someone who will treat you like a real client. What you have to prepare it´s your lawyer sometimes... Client in Hanse means nothing let´s look at this: Just two days ago we were checking a defective propulsion system on a hanse 540 in barcelona. The vibration of the wheel on engine was terrible and the two persons from Hanse shipyard told us that this vibration was good to feel the sea. Hanse thinks that Hanse customers are idiots. In another check of asimilar prpblem one year ago they put the wheel break to minimize the vibration and they told us : well It is fixed!. In another boat with a standing heel ( some 540 and 630 have up to 4º STANDING HEELING, check yours), , they pretend to change the mast trimming starboard to port to balance and unbalanced defectIve keel with a heeling to port. Great and cheap idea!!!!!! AND ON AND ON..... Goods luck and let me know if I can be of any help to you. ZenCap

I own a Hanse 350 also in Barcelona, and must say I fully agree with you in relation with the dealer-importer (Marina Estrella) and the Yard.

Dear Hanse Customers,

 

We have seen this post and the resulting comments and feel it necessary to correct the points mentioned in this string of comments and reply on behalf of Hanse Yachts.

 

Regarding the comments made by Carol Dichiu:

 

Our Dealer in Romania is in the process of commissioning the boat and has been working diligently on the issues described.  Two days ago, they raised the points below to us, and we immediately started to assemble a technical team and related parts to support both the dealer and the customer with parts and staff.  They are due to arrive in Romania shortly and they will completely resolve the outstanding issues.    Since this vessel’s story is now in the public domain, we will be asking Carol for a follow up report so that all can see what has been accomplished on this boat.

 

As to the comments about Sails and Spinnaker Gear, these items were not sold by Hanse Yachts to the customer, but directly from a sailmaker to the client through the dealership.  Although it is a Hanse Yacht, we cannot be accountable for the brand of sails that are bought and the configuration of the deck rigging if it is not the same as our standard layout and not bought through the factory. 

 

In this case, the team we are sending will work with the dealers staff to help them to locate and install the gear to accommodate these sails, and if not possible, we will arrange for the sails to be changed so the vessel can be used properly.  Our only interest is the final satisfaction of the client, Mr. Dichiu. 

 

For the sake of all of our customers we sell only North Sales with Hanse Yachts.  Our longstanding relationship with companies like Judel Vrolek and North Sails and the resulting performance that all Hanse Owners enjoy is something that we will not choose to compromise.

 

In closing, we care about the satisfaction of every Hanse owner.  We are committed to that satisfaction and will work diligently to meet your needs.  Are our boats perfect?  Is any boat perfect?  Every boat made is a compromise of performance, functionality and cost.  Our companies growth over the last fifteen years would suggest that we have for the most part hit the mark in combining style, performance and functionality at a very reasonable price, but we are always working to improve all aspects of our boats.  Your satisfaction is the reason we are in business, and we are committed to each of you to help you make the most of owning a Hanse Yacht.  Please work with us to help make your experience a positive one!

 

I can be reached at bperry@hanseyachts.com , and am happy to support you with any issue that you may have.  We are committed to your satisfaction, and I will work with you and your dealer to achieve this.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brent Perry

Vice President

Hanse Yachts AG

bperry@hanseyachts.com