Since picking the boat up new in Croatia, March 2014 we have done 16,000 miles in her. This involved 9 months in the Med, Atlantic crossing, 3 months in the Caribbean, through the Panama canal and across the Pacific. 

The boat has proved to be a fast passage maker with solid/stiff Hull construction which at times has taken a beating in large seas.

Being wary of Chaffe protection, she's been a pleasure to sail more or less single handed. Aside from the Atlantic Crossing(4 on board) and the leg from Panama to Marquesas/Tahiti(3 on board) it has been mostly my wife and I, and she had had very little experience before hand. 

You have to be early to reef as they can feel the breeze early, but reefing is easy. Considering the mileage we have done she has stood up pretty well. We have her set up with Solar panels, extra Batteries, water maker and Helm control on the Anchor with 100 meters of Chain. Didn't want a Bow thruster.

Negatives:-

We have had early issues with Electronics, needing a new Auto pilot computer, Digital Multi Control unit and now the Stirling Battery Regulator is playing up.

The cabinetry has been bit of a let down with some Manufacturing shortcuts such as Hinges, and workmanship.

The helm Cable was vastly undersized at 5mm (snapped in the Tuamotuas) and we've renewed it to 8 mm cable.

The Jefa Auto helm is showing some wear and tear, but considering its done most of the work- 90 % of the helming, its not surprising the miles we have done. Had it apart twice and whilst it is showing some wear and tear, its still working fine.

Positives:-

The Hull construction/integrity  can not be faulted, she is a fast/slippery Hull and has been fast in both heavy and light airs. The whole boat is showing no form of movement as far as cracks, bending etc. We were hit by a Beneteau whilst at anchor in France and aside from a chip in the Gelcote and a small scratch, it did not hurt us. The Keel attachment is superbly strong showing no signs of movement. 

Having a sealed bulkhead for the Anchor Chain Locker and one for the forward sail locker means you have two water tight impact zones if you ever did hit something head on, meaning less chance of water ingress into the main part of the boat. (The sail Locker is huge!)

Ease of sailing:- She has been so easy to sail short handed and is a pleasure to handle with all lines leading into the Cockpit and winches handy to the Helm position.

Liveaboard:-Once we improved the woeful hard Mattreses, the berths have been very comfortable and the Saloon seating has been comfortable and has stood up well. The Galley fridge is a bit small for blue water cruising with 4 people, but with the added 50 Litre Camping Fridge Freezer, we have had plenty of room for everyone on board and the layout with the L shaped galley has worked well as far as cooking whilst underway.

Rigging:- The Selden rigging is simple but strong and easy to maintain, I have re-tensioned it twice myself. 

Helm/Rudder:- Light and easy on the Helm and easy to balance the boat to give you neutral Helm. it also turns in a tight circle for 45 footer.

Storage: Plenty of Stowage, soaks up so much stores and doesn't affect it. In the front of the boat aside from 450 litres of tank water, we had the main anchor with 100 meters of chain, the secondary anchor with 28 metes of chain, 120 litters of diesel in 20 litre Fuel Jugs, plus the extra sails-(2 Gennakers, one jib) and fenders. a lot of weight forward, but didn't appear to impact much on balance or performance of the boat.

Overall and value for money, once on top of some minor issues, they are a great boat!

 

That was quite an adventure, a lot of miles! I take it you're back home in NZ now. Anything further planned in the near future?

 

Lastly, welcome to the Hanse family!

Steve

Blocks and winches are marginal and prob at the top skope of their capabilities, but having said that they haven't let us down in the whole time so adequate. 

Its like a lot of things that are built to suit a certain market and if you want to do more outside of those 'Market parameters'  then you need to modify some things slightly.

The main aspects are the important things are done well on them.

Cheers, by the way, haven't made it home yet, still sitting in Fiji soaking up the sun, too cold in NZ!

John 

 

Such a life John! ;) I'm jealous, safe adventures....

 The Mattresses, we put Topper Pads on to elevate the hardness, will get Inner Sprung ones made in NZ.

 The Gooseneck on ours is showing some wear and will address this when back in NZ. It has done some miles and a lot of those are in light winds that incidentally do more damage than you realise with back-winding on the main. We had to drop the main to stop this and run with the Gennaker on its own several times in light airs.

The Fibreglass covers over the Lines, well we try not to walk on them to be honest as they do 'creak'. The Cabin Top on the inside of this and the side is what I walk on.

'She's a hard road to fine the perfect Woman, or Boat for that matter' haha

cheers

 

If they are built the same way as the 400, they will eventually start to crack in the area where the lines enter the cover near the mast. In this area they should be strengthened by glassing in a piece of metal to provide more strength where the opening is. Perhaps they have done this already on newer models.

When you ask questions in 7 years old topics, you need to check if the sailors are still around in the myhanse Universe.

Rubatos last visit was over a year ago, because he sold his H400 and now owns a motoryacht.

Falshator61 was last logged in on May 12 2019, and I doubt he will see your question. A PM may reach him, if the e-mail is still in function.

In "Members Profile" you can find this information, and send a Private Message (PM).

:Kjeld

Tips- Extra House Batteries(we had 660 amps) Solar Panels(we had 480 watts 24V) and a good charge controller. Good 12V watermaker, extra 12v Waeco Fridge/Freezer. Soft Shackles, Chaffe protection especially on Halyards and reefing lines. Put a third reef point in your main and shift the single point reefing lines up by passing the first reef. Reef you main before your head sail. In heavy stuff, get rid of your Main and sail with reefed head sail. Dont overload your Auto helm, Look after your auto pilot and it will look after you. 100 m anchor chain needed(stainless if you can as it doesnt drag the mud up and packs down better in the anchor locker) Good spares supply, especially Cupboard latches as they are hopeless and always breaking! Keep the bottom of the boat clean!

Enjoy