Hanse 575 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 575 is built to Germanischer Lloyds SE standards for oceangoing yachts, with a balsa-cored hull and deck using a mix of polyester and vinylester resins for lightness and strength. Primary bulkheads are laminated to both deck and hull and tied into a composite grid that gives the structure its rigidity. The performance T-bulb keel is externally mounted on stainless fasteners, and the forward sections carry enough volume and depth to keep the hull from slamming in a short chop. At the dock the freeboard measures 110 centimeters at the stern and 150 at the bow, and that height is what creates the luxurious volume below while also leaving room for a jet tender to stow in the transom. The builder's own material describes the design as the perfect cruising yacht and the builder claimed it as the fastest cruising yacht in its class.

Rig and Handling

The fractional triple-spreader rig uses outboard chainplates, a choice that reduces the chance of crevice corrosion over time. A self-tacking jib sheets on a curved track and runs aft under the deck, while the standard full-batten main spans more than 900 square feet and carries lazy jacks and a lazy bag. The mainsheet mounts near the boom center using a triangular block arrangement instead of a traveler, and all halyards lead aft to a winch beside the wheels so sails can be set and trimmed single-handed. Electric primary winches sit just outboard of the widely spaced twin composite wheels, and with the main halyard and reefing lines led to the helm, reefing becomes a one-person job using the powered winches. A 105 percent genoa is offered as an alternative to the self-tacking jib. Under sail the boat feels stiff and stood up well to the wind; testers made a steady 8 to 8.5 knots upwind at 40 to 45 degrees true, tacking through 90 degrees, and writing in Yachting World, test sailors found she rarely made less than double figures when broad-reaching. The Jefa steering linkage felt direct and communicated the boat's 20 tonnes of displacement and tall rig power.

Deck and Cockpit

Twin composite wheels are spaced wide to let the helmsperson steer from the high or low side, with a walkway between them giving clear access aft. The stern folds down hydraulically to form a large swim platform and reveals a dinghy garage under the cockpit, sized for a Williams Jet Drive RIB but accepting other similar tenders. A folding fiberglass passerelle for Mediterranean mooring is standard, as is a single anchor roller with vertical windlass and a tack point for an asymmetrical sail on the anchor platform. Twin teak cockpit tables with robust stainless bases double as leg supports when heeled. The low, flat cockpit floor and high topsides mean the crew stays dry but feels exposed to wind and spray, and the sprayhood on the tested boat sat annoyingly level with the reviewer's chin.

Accommodations

Six layouts were offered from the factory, the standard being a Pullman cabin in place of the second aft heads; the reviewed three-cabin version carried three en-suite heads for an aura of luxury. The master cabin has a huge island berth lit by curved coachroof hatches and hull windows. Aft cabins stand 235 centimeters from sole to deckhead and saloon hatches 227 centimeters, so the headlining handholds are not a reliable grab. The shallow companionway and double set of flush saloon hatches bring ample light, and the red-stained mahogany veneer finishes the interior. Berth count ranges from six to twelve depending on layout. An impractically shallow fiddled shelf runs above the raised saloon and galley lockers where small items collect dust.

Known Issues

The first reviewed boat had not been built with enough space for foam engine insulation, and on that hull the turbo of the Volvo D3 under the companionway produced a loud hissing amplified above the wind. Later access to the engine and genset revealed how inadequate the insulation remained. The same boat was not peaceful at sea: soles creak, button latches reverberate through lockers, and doors slam. One side of the twin-sheet main let go where it passed through the coachroof conduit, though the redundant system prevented a worse outcome. Companionway steps lift for primary access but expose sharp aluminum support corners that would be nasty to hit. All exposed end grain on that early boat was to be sealed on future hulls.

The Verdict

The Hanse 575 is a big, cleverly engineered cruiser that puts a couple in command of a 56-footer through powered winches, a self-tacking jib, and lines led to the helm. The balsa-cored hull built to classification society standards, the stiff ride, and the transom garage mark it as a serious passagemaker with apartment-grade space below. The early-build noise, creak, and insulation shortcomings are real, but the structure and sailing behavior are strong.

Pros