Design and Construction
Judel/Vrolijk & Co gave the 320 a hand-laid fiberglass hull built with polyester resin. Both the hull and deck are solid GRP rather than cored laminates. Outboard-mounted chainplates and through-hull windows are other notable construction details.
The boat has a waterline just under 29 feet and a displacement near 11,400 pounds, placing it in the moderate-displacement cruiser class and carrying an iron bulb keel and a spade rudder on a rack-and-pinion wheel. Ballast is approximately 3,260 pounds, or about 28 percent of displacement, though sources differ on displacement and ballast figures.
The keel is cast iron with a bulb at the bottom. Hanse offered more than one keel alternative, including an iron torpedo form and an iron L-shaped bulb. One source quotes the standard draft at 5 feet 7 inches. Another describes deep-keel versions drawing about 6 feet 4 inches when loaded and a shallower L-keel version drawing around 5 feet 3 inches loaded—the latter opening most marinas to the boat. The hull carries CE Class A certification for offshore capability.
Rig and Handling
The 320 carries a tall two-spreader fractional rig, with a 9/10 jib and a long boom. The mast reaches 48 feet 5 inches above the waterline, which is large for a 32-footer. Hanse’s traditional self-tacking jib is standard, backed by an adjustable backstay and a solid boom vang. The boat is also rigged to accept a larger headsail on deck tracks.
In standard form, there is no mainsheet traveller. Australian importer Windcraft “Australianised” the boat by fitting one just forward of the wheel. All control lines lead aft to two largish self-tailing Lewmar cabin-top winches, while big primary winches handle the headsails.
With a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.3 on the reference sail, rising to 19.1 with a 135 percent genoa, one review describes the boat as significantly overrigged relative to its peers. A deep spade rudder and rack-and-pinion wheel steering provide precise helm feel.
Windcraft chose a 30 hp Yanmar 3YM30, driving through a saildrive to a three-blade folding prop. That installation borders on overpowering for the hull. Another source lists a 21 hp Yanmar 3YM20, however, so the engine fitted to an individual boat should be confirmed.
Accommodation
The 320 has a conventional two-cabin layout with four berths. Forward is a comfortable V-berth; the aft cabin has a large double berth, hanging lockers, and ample storage. The single head is roomy and includes a hot-and-cold shower for rinsing off salt.
The U-shaped galley has a deep, top-opening fridge, a two-burner gas stove with an oven, and a double sink. In the saloon, the starboard lounge has a pull-down armrest that turns it into two chairs, while the port side has a semi-wraparound seat. The folding dining table can seat five for dinner.
Thanks to the beamy hull and broad transom, the interior feels larger than the boat’s length suggests.
Deck Gear and Ownership Considerations
The large anchor locker, substantial electric winch, and offset fairlead speak to easy ground-tackle handling.
Prospective owners should pay close attention to keel and traveller configurations. Standard boats lack a mainsheet traveller, while Windcraft-supplied examples have one forward of the wheel. The shallow-draft L-keel option increases ballast to about 3,750 pounds (1,700 kg) and is worth seeking for coastal marina access.
A 30 hp Yanmar 3YM30 saildrive is a strong, if slightly overpowered, setup. Some boats may instead have the 21 hp Yanmar 3YM20 cited by another source. Sources also differ on tankage, so both engine power and tank capacities require physical verification.
The Verdict
The Hanse 320 is a thoughtfully packaged small cruiser that trades a little ultimate draft for livability and short-handed simplicity. The Judel/Vrolijk & Co hull is beamy and stable, the rig is powerful yet manageable with the self-tacking jib, and the interior is genuinely usable for a couple with guests.
Differences in keel choice, traveller layout, engine power, and tankage mean that no two examples are necessarily identical in specification. Even so, the core design remains coherent.
Pros
- Beamy, high-freeboard hull with genuine two-cabin livability and a roomy head
- Tall fractional rig, self-tacking jib, and control lines led aft for short-handed sailing
- CE Class A certification
- Iron bulb-keel alternatives, including a shallow-draft version
Cons
- Standard layout lacks a mainsheet traveller, requiring a retrofit for precise mainsail control
- Conflicting engine and tankage figures across sources require physical verification
- Deep-keel variant limits marina access to major facilities only
