Design and Construction
The 388 uses the same balsa-cored hull as the 385, a shape left untouched because the hull worked so well. Its structure includes an inner subframe moulding and a massive bulkhead set in with angle laminate. The hull-to-deck joint is partially laminated.
Below the waterline, the hull is solid laminate, finished with isophthalic acid gelcoat over a first laminate layer of vinyl ester resin. Above the waterline, the structure is a GRP sandwich with a balsa core.
Six large hull windows and six superstructure windows bring light below. Compared with the 385, the deck gained more glazing and an unusual companionway treatment: dark-tinted glass panes cover the partially cut-out coachroof and companionway bulkhead, as well as the sliding hatch.
The standard keel is a deep L-keel, a few centimetres lower than the 385’s. Steering is by a single, deep, free-standing rudder blade, with a chain-and-wire connection to the quadrant.
Rig, Sail Handling, and Performance
Ease of sailing is central to the 388. Its self-tacking jib follows a setup typical of the yard since the early 1990s. The mainsheet is anchored to strong points on the coachroof and led in front of the companionway, leaving it within the helmsman’s reach from either of the twin wheels.
All halyards, sheets, and outhauls run through the deck and cockpit coamings, then through Spinlock clutches to two Lewmar winches mounted aft within the helmsman’s reach. The lines disappear into dedicated storage boxes. There’s no mainsheet traveller, which limits fine adjustment. The rig carries two pairs of long spreaders, and a furling option is available.
Writing in Yacht, test sailors found that the boat steered quite directly, with only one turn from stop to stop. In 11 to 12 knots of wind, it reached up to 7 knots on a reach and recorded a 90-degree tacking angle. Yachting Monthly measured 6.3 to 6.6 knots to windward and tacked through 80 degrees in flat water; cracked off, the log climbed past 7 knots.
The small self-tacking jib contributes to a tight sail-load factor of 4.2, but it twists out too far as soon as the boat bears away. Hanse offered a genoa option with longitudinal rails and now favours a code-zero crossover for lighter winds or fuller sailing angles.
Interior and Accommodation
Hanse completely redesigned the 388’s interior appearance and offered several layout choices. The standard arrangement has two cabins and a walk-in locker to starboard. Customers can order a second aft cabin instead of the large forecabin, while a three-cabin version with a second double stern cabin to starboard is available. A second head could also be fitted forward.
In its long form, the standard L-shaped galley is gigantic; the short-layout version reduces it to more conventional dimensions. A large fridge provides both front and top access. The navigation table can be lowered and fitted with a cushion to extend the berth.
Natural light is plentiful, thanks to the hull and deck windows, two foredeck hatches, and added glazing on two of the three deck hatches. Testers did, however, note weak cross-ventilation in the saloon.
The port aft cabin is arranged for comfort and volume, with both opening and fixed windows. Its open storage is too small and shallow for use at sea, however, and the shelves elsewhere in the cabins drew the same criticism.
Construction Details and Ownership Notes
The standard 40 mm winches drew a note from a tester that they work at the lower limit, with 45 mm preferred.
The 388 came with a Yanmar SD25 saildrive, the smallest in that range. It requires servicing every 100 hours, compared with 200 hours for the larger units, and its saildrive seal should be replaced every seven years.
Owners and surveyors noted that the accessible seacocks pass through solid laminate, with the balsa core ramping down to a single-skin structure around them. Less positively, some interior woodwork was left with raw end grain, while fully veneered surfaces lacked solid edging. The chart table also has no fiddles.
Verdict
The Hanse 388 is a thoughtfully updated cruiser that retains a proven hull while modernising the deck and accommodation around easy short-handed sailing. Its self-tacking setup, twin helms, and glassy companionway suit coastal and offshore cruising, though the storage, ventilation, and joinery details reveal the limits of the design’s priorities.
Pros
- Proven, unchanged balsa-cored hull from the 385, with modern beam and a deep keel
- Self-tacking jib and coachroof-mounted mainsheet make short-handed sailing manageable
- Bright, redesigned interior with flexible cabin arrangements and a large galley
- Direct steering and strong light-air reaching performance
Cons
- Standard winches are at the lower limit of adequacy
- Weak saloon cross-ventilation and small, shallow cabin storage
- Yanmar SD25 saildrive requires 100-hour servicing and seal replacement every seven years
- Veneered joinery lacks solid edging, with some end grain left unsealed
