‘Fast cruising, easy sailing’ is Hanse’s motto for their new 575, a judel/vrolijk design aimed at getting places quickly and easily. The German company’s new big boat is a big boat indeed, with plentiful freeboard height buying a voluminous and light interior, whilst keeping a clean looking deck and sleek coachroof that’s so low it barely rises from the teak.

The height of the Hanse 575 also buys room for a jet tender to stow in a garage in the transom – a hydraulic platform lowers to allow the Rib to roll out, and it can be launched and retrieved by one person. Her shallow companionway leads into a vast one-level interior, with a three-cabin layout on the test boat, each with its own heads. But up to 1.5m is a lot of topside to be confronted by and can make just boarding the boat an issue.
Could the Hanse 575 be all things to all people I wondered as we tested her? A fast, spacious, distance-munching cruiser that could be sailed by a couple, ship a practical tender for when you arrive plus the mod-cons to make her feel like a home from home? I was certainly glad there were only two of us aboard and a fresh breeze, as it proved she is actually a very capable boat and indeed manageable shorthanded. And I think that for a boat that will cost around £400k (with taxes and options), she makes for a smart yet movable second home. See what you think…
The full report is in our January 2013 issue, out now.