Design and Construction
The Hanse 325 is 31'6" overall, with a 10'8" beam, a 28'6" waterline, and a displacement of 11,464 lb. Its solid fiberglass hull carries roughly 3,263 lb of iron ballast on a bulb keel. The deck is also solid fiberglass.
The most visible differences from the Hanse 320 are above the waterline. The 325 has lower cockpit coamings compared with the Hanse 320, smoother corners, and a more rounded overall profile. Below the waterline and at the maststep, nothing changed: the same keel, rudder, rig, and sailplan carry over. That gave Hanse a proven platform to refine rather than reinvent.
Inside, Hanse omitted the saloon hull ports. This costs some natural light, but provides useful extra stowage along the saloon sides.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The 325 is a fractional sloop with a self-tacking jib and single-line reefing, a combination that keeps short-handed crew work to a minimum. Its working sail area is 553 sq ft. That’s enough to drive the 11,464 lb hull, but not enough to make the boat a light-air sprinter. It can also carry a gennaker when owners want more pace downwind.
Test sailors found the 325 easy to handle in conditions from Force 3 to Force 6. The 18-hp auxiliary is modest, but it turns a well-matched propeller and provides good maneuverability in close quarters.
Accommodations
Six berths are standard: a V-berth forward, two saloon settees, and a spacious aft cabin for two. Headroom is at least 5'10" throughout. Despite the lack of hull ports, the saloon is genuinely well lit, and six people can sit around the saloon table.
The aft head is to port of the companionway. The galley is unusually large for a boat of this length, with a stove, oven, sink, refrigerator, comfortable counter space, and good ventilation.
Hanse marketed the 325 as highly customizable. Buyers could choose from 29 upholstery options in various materials and colors, while available extras included teak decks, a sprayhood, a heater, and a chartplotter.
Cockpit and Deck Gear
The cockpit is comfortable and offers excellent visibility forward. A flip-up helmsman’s seat provides access to the swim ladder, a thoughtful detail on a 32-footer.
Wheel steering is standard, and the instruments and winches sit within easy reach of the helm. The one awkward feature is the rather small cockpit table, which limits entertaining space on deck.
Verdict
The Hanse 325 is a pragmatic small cruiser that trades a little sparkle for genuine livability. It combines the Hanse 320’s proven keel, rudder, rig, and sailplan with a softer deck profile, six-berth accommodation, a proper galley, and a highly customizable interior.
The self-tacking rig and small but well-matched engine make it undemanding to handle in moderate winds from Force 3 to Force 6. It isn’t a lightweight performer, however, and the lack of hull ports leaves the saloon dependent on light from above.
Pros
- Proven keel, rudder, rig, and sailplan carried over from the successful Hanse 320
- Six berths, including a roomy aft cabin
- Large galley for the boat’s size
- Self-tacking jib and single-line reefing simplify short-handed sailing
- Lower coamings and rounded styling improve the cockpit
- Choice of 29 upholstery options and multiple factory extras
Cons
- No hull ports, so the saloon relies on overhead light despite being well lit
- Relaxed performance; not a light-air sprinter or downwind specialist
- Small cockpit table for a boat that can seat six below
