461 Blue Water Cruising option?
Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 461 / 470
Forum Description: 461 / 470 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9789
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:18
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Topic: 461 Blue Water Cruising option?
Posted By: Annasonaskip
Subject: 461 Blue Water Cruising option?
Date Posted: 22 August 2016 at 13:24
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I'm a newbie to this forum and my question is not the most original so apologies in advance! My wife and I are looking to retire in less than 10 years. The plan is go on an open ended cruise, taking in as many places as time, health and safety will allow. We're hoping to buy our chosen yacht in the next 2 years, to give us plenty of time to get used to her and install necessary equipment. We like the idea of a Hanse, especially a 461 with the large stern cabin option. From a sailing point of view the self-tacking jib and secure helming position appeals (originally I quite liked the idea of a 470 but my wife doesn't much care for the open cockpit at the stern). However, the usual "pontoon experts" are steering me towards Scandinavian boats (for their strength, heavy displacement, etc.). Personally, I don't like the look of them, inside or out and, in truth, they are beyond our budget. Although retiring, we're in our mid-forties at present so were not quite ready to sit down in the Hallberg Rassey armchairs knitting needles in hand. I realise this forum is hardly impartial but I don't think I am wrong in believing that a Hanse is a good option for a circumnavigation. Any thoughts? Many thanks Jon
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Replies:
Posted By: leemind
Date Posted: 28 August 2016 at 09:17
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100% yes. It's strong steel subframe makes it stiff and powerful. Several forum members have navigated the world on 461s and 470s with no problems at all. I suspect that you will break before the boat does. I heard the same from "pontoon experts" as well (brilliant phrase!) but ignored them. As with any boat, you may want to upgrade a few things depending on her previous life. You may struggle with the large stern cabin option, I don't know how many they made in that configuration. Private me if you want to chat more. David ------------- Grand Cru Hanse 461#028 |
Posted By: Annasonaskip
Date Posted: 29 August 2016 at 08:40
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Hi David, Thank you for your helpful feedback. Things are moving a little quicker than expected and we may be in a position to bring forward the purchase to early next year. I'll PM you details of a yacht I have in mind if that's ok. Cheers Jon |
Posted By: gertha
Date Posted: 29 August 2016 at 22:27
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10 years ago I bought a new 370. Had no great plan. Now looking for an upgrade . I always find it hard talking to children; however it is disappointing to think that at the age of mid 40 you now know what you need for the rest of your life. Here a few facts, all in pounds A 461 will cost a min of 5k pa moreing and very basic maintenance. Realistic double this. Any boat will need new standing rigging and engine bits, another 20k. New sails, uphostery, pumps, liferaft service, I can go on basically another 20k. In 10 years you will spend in excess of 100k keeping a boat in the same condition as you bought it. Buy a cheap boat, learn how to sail, learn how to live in each others company. Sell it to give it away. then buy a boat that matches your aspirations. There are too many dreamers washed up in marinas pickling themselves. simon ------------- Swanned off |
Posted By: Annasonaskip
Date Posted: 31 August 2016 at 13:38
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Hi Simon,
Thanks for the reply...I
think! I can't quite work out if you are trying to be helpful and funny or condescending. I'm assuming it's the former Don't worry about the sailing, maintenance costs, etc. (and relationship advice). I'm reasonably well versed in both having owned a yacht for several years, done a few RYA qualifications and been happily married for 15+ years. My question concerned the suitability of a Hanse yacht for the early part of my retirement. I figured an owners' forum would illicit the most knowledgeable and honest response (as opposed to the blurb manufacturers put out themselves). I see you've sailed all over the place and obviously know what you're talking about so I'm genuinely interested in your opinion. Are you saying that you don't rate a 461, which would be a surprise as you've posted elsewhere on this forum about wanting to upgrade to this yacht (or a 470), or were you just opining that it wasn't suitable based on the assumption that I couldn't sail or afford to run it? Best Jon |
Posted By: Andrew6586
Date Posted: 31 August 2016 at 20:31
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Hi Jon, My wife and I have recently bought a 415. We've had a month sailing her in southern England so far. We bought the two cabin version as that gives us a large storage cabin and a cabin for my wife's sister who often sails with us. We have a berth conversion for the saloon should we need it. (Family visits) This is the third yacht we have owned and out last was a slightly smaller very seaworthy Westerly. We have also sailed other yachts too. We have found the 415 very comfortable for 4 and easily manageable for 6. She sails very easily and comfortably. I have been impressed at her ability to cope with too much sail.( done deliberately to test margins). Our intention is to sail to the Med and then the Carribbean and I'm sure she is big enough, fast enough and safe enough. I don't think we will venture further but if we do I'm confident we would be fine with some additions. (Water maker, extra changing capacity etc). I could go on but my needs might not be yours, we spent quite a while choosing a boat for our needs and lifestyle. Andrew |
Posted By: gertha
Date Posted: 31 August 2016 at 21:20
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The written word is always a challenge. My main concern and observation was based on the number of boats parked up around the world where peoples dreams have not matched reality; that is obviously not a problem for you. Another thought was you will setting off in10 years in a 23 year old boat, so I would save the money of ownership and buy something better with my money in a few years time; again you know what you are committing too . Sailing , never really thought about your skills; but a complete mupet can sail the trade winds; marinas are a challenge; but anyone can bounce in; I normally do. The main challenge is living in close company with other people and everyone keeping sane . The 461 as a good boat, yes and no. The main strength of the 461 is the steel frame, this makes a strong boat, however the galvanised steel sitting in a salt water environment may fail. If you go aground the boat will be a right off; there is no repair, the same applies to all steel frames stuck in fibre glass. Look at old Lotus cars ; I come from Norfolk so will not hear a bad thing about them. Steel chasie in fiber glass body ends in failure. For the long term as in another 20 years maybe this is not a good thing. If I was in your position I would buy a 455 new; you will have 8 years to tweak the boat to what you want and will know the history. A 461 will need to have most of the systems changed by the time you set sail, so the cost will be similar but the boat 12 years newer. I am looking at 461; but will have sold on long before you set off, so my angle is a bit different. Simon ------------- Swanned off |
Posted By: leemind
Date Posted: 01 September 2016 at 09:52
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gertha, I have to disagree with your comments very strongly. The steel subframe in my 10y old 461 is in absolutely mint condition. The galvanising is very thick and has never chipped or flaked off. Compare and contrast this to a charter boat (Jeanneau Sun Odyssey) that I took out last week of the same era (2006) where the keel bolts and steel backing plates where showing quite a lot of signs of rust. I was very happy to give that back... ------------- Grand Cru Hanse 461#028 |
Posted By: Annasonaskip
Date Posted: 01 September 2016 at 13:25
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Hi Andrew, Thanks for the post. This is just the type of first hand information I was after. It is good to hear you have such confidence in your yacht. You've only reinforced what I already thought. Happy sailing. Jon |
Posted By: Annasonaskip
Date Posted: 01 September 2016 at 13:42
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Hi Simon, Thanks for this. Plenty of food for thought. I can see where you're coming from in terms of timeline, age of vessel, etc. I will certainly be looking into the "steel frame" point. I'd always budgeted for changing standing rigging (more than once) and changing some systems but hull integrity is obviously paramount. Totally agree with you about the trials of the marina. We sail on the Bristol Channel so whilst the 13 metre tidal range brings its own challenges, and rewards, I've always said that navigating the marina and lock is the biggest challenge - so many things to hit and so many other people who can hit you. Give me Force 6 in the Channel over the carnage of a queue for a full lock on an ebbing tide any day! Good luck with your own yacht search. Jon
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Posted By: JonB
Date Posted: 07 September 2016 at 22:00
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Simon, You've picked the best forum to find the answers. Yes we're biased, but think why this forum is so well attended, we all love what our yachts bring to us. I'm 6' 2" that' 1.85-1.9m tall and am able to walk around the inside without neck ache to 90% down below. We sail short handed all the time, without difficulty. This years summer cruise I stumbled at the wrong time off the Lizard, Cornwall, UK. The waves were very short & steep, boat speed was around 5.0 knots but SOG was less than 2.0. It was another experience for us, another lesson learned. However, Norse King looked after us, at 47' the passage was rough but he handled well. Whilst I do not want to be out in anything more than an F7, I'm confident that if caught out, I know that the Hanse is where I'd rather be. ------------- Jon B 470e http://www.norse-king.blogspot.co.uk |
Posted By: graemefromdownu
Date Posted: 13 September 2016 at 03:24
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I am a BIG fan of the 461. If you do a search on my posts, you will see we have been cruising full time from 2012 to Dec 2015. We left from Southern Spain , explored the rivers of South America, covered Guyana, Trinidad, Columbia, the San Blas and Panama. Throught the Canal, to the Galapagos then on to the Marquesas, currently our beautiful companion is on anchorage in Tahiti. I do not know another yacht I would choose for this journey. Very strong, fast when needed, very easy to handle. I rep;aced some of the rigging in Tahiti, 10 yrs old and a lot of miles. Nothing serious, just lower and middle wires. We have used a twin headsail for 90% of our travels, we had this made in Spain ans is like two jibs set one each side; one held out by a pole the other by the wind. Effortless powerful downwind sailing. The self tacker is too small to be of any use on long voyages. Never used our spinnaker. The twin headsail would take any wind we have encountered so far, (up to 45 knots). We Always travelled with great respect for the weather. Ours is a 461 with bow owners cabin / office, two doubles in the stern. Good for entertainment, having friends aboard. Sometimes we had 15-20 people on board for dinner, drinks, no shortage of space. One of the great advantages of the 461 was its superb build quality, no Ikea in sight. Joinery is superb. Large amounts of storage space. We carried food supplies for SIX months plus a full book and toy library for ourselves and our young child. Fully loaded with snorkelling gear, spares for everything, diesel 6Kw gennie, spare sails, 2kw inverter, extra 240l in drums,. Even with all this she handled beautifully. I upgraded all the lights to LED, used Spectra for the lines, fitted a large Rocnor anchor. Our Spectra supplied all our water needs, including the washing machine we fitted on board. If you are going long distance FIT a Washing Machine. Ours was a top loading AEG from Spain, only 40cm wide, the gennie or inverter managed ok. This is not an advert, we are currently settled in Australia because our 8 yr old needed to settle into a school where he could maintain friendships. We have her on sale in Tahiti, if you are interested in the spec to give you an idea of what you will need have a look at http://au.yachtworld.com/boats/2005/Hanse-461-2937888/French-Polynesia#.V9difqL1KMc If you have any questions I would be happy to help. We had a wonderful four years because of all the great people we met and shared time with, even now we get visitors from around the world. Keep your dreams alive, Graeme S/Y Dreamtime Wanderer ------------- 461: Dreamtime Wanderer, on her way to Australia. |
Posted By: Point bleu doo
Date Posted: 10 November 2016 at 13:34
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Hye I shall send my 461 next year. She is in good conditions if you want I can send you the pictures and details Eric |