Hull Form and Design Philosophy
The 320's wide 10ft 8in beam and broad transom are the architectural decisions that underpin everything else about the boat. Judel/Vrolijk stretched the beam outboard to maximize interior volume and cockpit space without adding length, a trade-off that also explains the high freeboard. The hull is GRP hand-laid in polyester resin, a conventional construction choice that keeps maintenance straightforward. Two keel configurations were offered from the factory: a torpedo keel and an L-shaped bulb keel, both cast in iron. The standard bulb-keel draft sits around 1.53 to 1.63 meters, giving good marina access, while the deeper torpedo keel extends to roughly 1.84 to 1.94 meters — the option to reach for if marina access is unrestricted and pointing ability matters more. Unusually for a boat in this size bracket, the 320 earned EU Class A ocean certification, which speaks to the structural margins built into the design even if bluewater passages are not its intended habitat.
Rig and Sail Plan
The 320 carries a tall two-spreader fractional rig that stands approximately 48 feet above the waterline — a considerable spar for a 32-footer — paired with a long boom and Hanse's signature self-tacking jib. The combination makes tacking a one-person affair: no sheet to ease, no sheet to grind, just helm input and the boat does the rest. Statistical analysis rates the 320 as more heavily rigged than 82 percent of similar-sized sailboats — a measure that tips toward overrigged rather than underrigged. In practice that means excellent performance in the light-to-moderate airs that typify coastal and estuary sailing. The fractional configuration does have a downside downwind: running angles often require a gennaker or spinnaker to extract meaningful speed, since the small self-tacking jib offers little projected area when the apparent wind moves aft. Adjustable backstay and solid boom vang are included as standard rather than optional extras, a meaningful concession to sailors who want to actually tune the rig rather than just steer.
On-Deck Handling and Maneuverability
One of the 320's strongest suits is how manageable it feels once you step aboard. Outboard-mounted chainplates leave the side decks genuinely clear — no wire-dodging shuffle to reach the foredeck — and the wide sidedecks make moving around in a seaway considerably safer than on boats of comparable waterline length. All control lines run aft to two self-tailing Lewmar winches on the cabin top, keeping the cockpit uncluttered. The jib sheet can be led to the primary cockpit winch for shorthanded sailing. Helm response is notably sharp: the big wheel and rack-and-pinion steering combined with a deep spade rudder allow the boat to pivot almost on its own length. Under sail in modest conditions — 12 knots of breeze — the 320 recorded 5.5 to 6 knots upwind and over 8 knots on a reach, which compares favorably to the theoretical hull-speed ceiling the displacement imposes. The standard power plant is a Yanmar diesel driving through a saildrive to a folding three-blade prop; motoring fuel burn is reported at around two liters per hour at a cruise of six knots, an efficient figure for the displacement.
Accommodations and Interior
The accommodation plan is a conventional two-cabin, one-head layout, but the execution benefits substantially from the wide beam. The aft cabin carries a full double berth with hanging lockers and storage, making it the preferred sleeping berth on most boats; the forward V-berth is comfortable within limits, though taller crew — anyone approaching six feet — may find themselves bridging the narrowing bow. The single head is roomy and includes a hot-and-cold shower, a premium inclusion on a sub-32-footer. The galley is U-shaped with a deep top-opening refrigerator, two-burner gas stove with oven, and double sink. In the saloon, a starboard lounger converts via a pull-down armrest into two chairs, while the port side wraps around a folding dinette table that seats five for dinner. Headroom throughout is generous thanks to the high freeboard. The interior is trimmed in mahogany style with wooden window surrounds, with optional cherrywood or teak finish available from the factory to lighten or darken the ambiance.
Known Weaknesses
Honest assessments of the 320 surface a handful of recurring friction points. There is no boarding platform — only a ladder, an omission that becomes inconvenient at anchor or on a swim stop. The navigation station and chart table are cramped relative to the otherwise generous interior, a compromise that likely preserves saloon volume. The forward V-berth can feel short for taller sailors. And the fridge, despite its generous depth, would benefit from a hinged lid rather than a top-opening hatch from an ergonomic standpoint. On the rig side, the self-tacking jib, while an asset for ease of tacking, is on the small side for light-air performance; owners wanting competitive twilight racing or brisk reaching speeds in under 10 knots will likely want to invest in a larger headsail or a gennaker, for which the deck tracks and primary winches are already sized.
Refits and Upgrades
The 320 was designed with sensible upgrade provision built into the package. Deck tracks and large primary winches are already installed for a larger headsail, meaning adding a 130–135 percent genoa requires only the sail and furler, not a hardware campaign. Some regional distributors fitted a mainsheet traveller forward of the wheel as a standard addition — the factory configuration routes the mainsheet to the centre of the cockpit, and a traveller improves both control and ergonomics meaningfully. The electric anchor winch was factory-installed in the Australian-market example reviewed, which suggests it was an available option rather than a standard item elsewhere; buyers of used examples should verify this. The saildrive-to-folding-prop drivetrain is well-supported by Yanmar's parts network, making engine maintenance straightforward across most markets. An upgrade to a shallow-draft keel option increases ballast from 1480kg to 1700kg, improving stability for those who sacrifice the extra draft; this swap is a factory option, not a practical refit on existing boats.
The Verdict
The Hanse 320 is a well-resolved small cruiser whose beam-first design philosophy delivers an interior and cockpit experience that routinely surprises sailors who step aboard expecting something cramped and compromised. The self-tacking fractional rig and clean deck layout make it genuinely manageable solo or with a minimal crew, and performance in light-to-moderate conditions is livelier than the displacement-length ratio might suggest. It is not a bluewater passage-maker — the cramped nav station and small standard jib point to its coastal and estuarine identity — but within that remit it is capable, comfortable, and easy to own.
Pros
- Outboard chainplates and wide sidedecks make foredeck work safe and unobstructed
- Self-tacking jib reduces short-handed tacking to a helm-only operation
- Two-cabin, one-head layout with genuinely adequate standing headroom
- Tall, well-engineered rig delivers real performance in coastal breezes
- EU Class A structural certification built into the hull
- Deck tracks and primary winches already sized for a larger headsail upgrade
Cons
- No boarding platform; stern ladder only makes swimming stops awkward
- Navigation station is cramped relative to the rest of the interior
- Self-tacking jib undersized in light air without a genoa or gennaker
- V-berth feels short for sailors over six feet
- Factory mainsheet layout benefits from traveller addition for proper control
- Iron keel (rather than lead) results in slightly more drag than a comparable lead ballast package
