Why is Hanse so expensive in its options?

Thanks all for your replies and input. I think having an active user forum is a huge plus and a factor to take into account when purchasing a boat. We used to own a Catalina and the forums were extremely helpful when doing upgrades or fixing problems. This is very encouraging!

Phil, I will have to do some more research on differences in building techniques. But my main concern was about the cost of options, not so much about the base price difference of these boats. If you claim the B&G is such a good deal, why does it still cost 46% more than the exact same option on a Jeanneau (taking the B&G autopilot as an example)? Can you elaborate on what options would be better to skip and do aftermarket in your experience?

Frank, why are twin rudders a disadvantage in a marina?

How much should we expect commissioning to cost ? This is the first time we are looking at purchasing a brand new boat..

Thanks Phil, I guess in some cases the difference must be installation cost and perhaps it is warranted. Hard to judge. In other cases perhaps Jeanneau, being part of Groupe Beneteau, can negotiate lower cost on equipment.

Commissioning here in California also seems to include trucking and wharfage. It's almost double the cost of what you quoted and that is on top of cradle and shipping charges to the US.

Well, I guess we will revisit this or start a new thread once the 349 arrives in April so we can discuss how the boats compare in real life. This should be interesting. Other boats we are looking at include the Dufour 335 GL, Beneteau Oceanis 34 and Bavaria Cruiser 33.

We bought our 375 some years ago, and when discussing the price we got biggest discount on options... Maybe ask a quote for the boat you wish, with the options you wish an discuss price ?

Hi Bigcat, we also moved from a Catalina (a 320) which we liked very much, but wanted a small headsail on our next boat, which rules them out even though we were very happy with the overall build quality and fittings. 

my 5 cents:

1. Many producers in the industrie have high prices for options. Look at Audi and you know what i am saying.....But i still drive a Audi, because i love it - not the price but the car!
2. Your advantage in sailboats is: Most of the option can be done by yourself in a later stage
3. Chines on many productionboats today are not really for more speed. Chines are only helpful for speed in high performance boats with a high speed range. Not so on cruisers! To me chines on cruisers  are something like a big spoiler on a VW Passat! The only advantage of the chines is a little more space for the aftercabins
4. On the "Boot" Düsseldorf i was on several diffrent brands (B;Del, Deh, J, Du, X-..) to my surprise i do not remember the really diffrence between the brands anymore. Some years ago i could tell you the diffrence... In the interior build quality the mass produced yachts are all in all very much the same today......Only X-Yachts i remember as it was a really good quality for much to much money. On Hanse i am a little bit biased as you could imagine, but i still feel the hulls are build in a strong quality.
4. Buying a boat is not only about price! Your wallet gives you only the general area for your investment.  There is a lot personal feeling about buying a boat! So you have to do your choice on the way you want to pay your money for and the way you want to sail. Following the Boot i would consider the follwoing list:

If you want to:

1. sail cheap (maybe you do not want to sail but just stay in the harbour....) and slow and want to have a charterlooking boat like a caravan and if you do not want to be recognized as the owner than buy a B (never write the complete word here!)
2. sail cheap with to many people in one boat and want to sail even slower than a B and you are a small grown man than buy a Delphia
3. sail cheap and fast as a Hanse and have a lot lot time to work on the equipment yourself (You´re the IKEA MAN) than buy a Varianta!
4. sail less cheap but only looking faster than a B but still  sailing slow as a B than buy a J!
5. sail for a reasonable price and sail fast and comfortable and still want to have a lot space below and want to have a well build hull and wonderful looking boat, than buy a Hanse!
6. sail for a less reasonable but still good price and sail only a very little faster and a little more sportive looking boat but with less space below than buy  a Dehler!
7. sail if money doesn´t matter and want to sail faster than a Dehler than buy a X-Yacht. But it will cost you 2-3 times the price of a Hanse.
8. sail if money doesn´t matter and want to sail really slow with an outdated in- and exterior than HR is your choice.

It is your choice!


Edited by Peter-Blake - 08 February 2014 at 11:39