Design and Construction
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass, paired with a lead-ballast fin keel and spade rudder. The boat measures 29.2 feet overall, 25.59 feet on the waterline, and 8.86 feet in beam.
That produces a length-to-beam ratio of 3.27—a relatively narrow, nautical proportion that keeps the topsides lean rather than borrowing the beamy volume for which later Hanse models became known. The 291 displaces 5,732 pounds and carries 2,315 pounds of lead ballast, giving it a ballast ratio of 38 to 40 percent. Wetted surface is about 269 square feet.
The hull’s immersion rate is roughly 790 pounds per inch, which means the boat settles predictably under load. Depending on that load, the fin keel draws between 5.31 and 5.61 feet, keeping the boat within reach of most marina approaches.
Rig and Performance
The 291 is a fractional sloop with 366 square feet of sail area. Its displacement-length ratio of 157 places it among the “light racers” in its size class. Together, that light displacement and a motion comfort ratio in the 18.1 to 19.2 range suggest a lively but not punishing motion profile for a boat of this length.
The capsize screening value is 1.94, while the theoretical hull speed for a displacement hull of this waterline length is 6.8 knots. With the Volvo Penta installation and saildrive transmission, calculated maximum speed under power is about 4.8 knots. That’s modest, but consistent with a small coastal cruiser whose real pace belongs under canvas.
Accommodations
The narrow 3.27 length-to-beam ratio and 366-square-foot sail plan point to a sailing-first character rather than a voluminous coastal cruiser. No interior plan or berth count appears in the available specifications.
The Verdict
The Hanse 291 is a small, light-displacement fractional-sloop cruiser that marks the opening chapter of Hanse Yachts as a sailboat builder. Carl Beyer’s early-1990s design uses conventional solid-fiberglass construction, with a fin keel and spade rudder. Its numbers describe a quick, manageable coastal boat rather than a spacious liveaboard.
The short production run and first-of-line status make the 291 a modest but coherent entry point into the brand’s history.
Pros
- Lean 3.27 length-to-beam ratio and light-racer displacement profile favor responsive handling
- Solid-fiberglass hull and deck, with a lead-ballast fin keel
- Draft of no more than 5.61 feet keeps most marinas accessible
Cons
- Available specifications provide little information about accommodations and onboard systems
- The limited production run of about 100 hulls may constrain spares and familiarity with comparable boats
- The saildrive and small Volvo Penta powerplant provide only about 4.8 knots under engine
