Boat Review - Hanse 315
Chosen by a panel of experts representing 11 European sailing magazines, the 315 faced off against 25 other boats to win the Family Cruiser category.
Judged via sea trials on sailing characteristics, comfort, construction quality, innovation, design, and price to performance, the Hanse 315 impressed with its modern and prominent line management, agility and easy handling, at a competitive base price.
Dr Jens Gerhardt, CEO of HanseYachts AG, was delighted to accept the prize. “This victory is yet another chapter in the Hanse success story,” he said. “After the achievement in the USA as Best Value Yacht awarded by Cruising World magazine, this is the second major award given to the 315. The Hanse team is delighted!”
Judge Jochen Rieker said: “Hanse Yachts has always been a very innovative yard. They started the trend of more customisable serial production boats a bit over 10 years ago, with the 531 and 461. With the new Hanse 315 they now offer just as many options and variations, even at the bottom of their range.
“The 315 is one of the most versatile entry-level cruisers on the market: tiller or wheels, self-tacking jib or genoa, oak or mahogany-style interior, double, single, or a kids’ cabin in the front – the choice is unparalleled.
“The best boat in this size and class right now, the Hanse 315 shows that despite her size she can still have all the innovation that makes her big sisters outstanding: most spacious head in class, ample cockpit, extraordinary standing height where needed, roomy bed and good comfort, easy sailing, and a fast new hull with elegant exterior design.”
For Australia and NZ distributors Team Windcraft, Hanse’s win is the latest in an outstanding haul from the awards season. Windcraft’s brands have scooped a brace of European Yacht Of The Year titles, with the 315 and the Solaris ONE 50, with a hat trick of Motor Boat Of The Year crowns going to the Axopar 28, Sealine 330 and Lagoon 63MY. As noted last month, the Axopar also won the Best For Fun crown in its category at the UK Motor Boat Awards.
Peter Hrones of Team Windcraft says it’s no accident that his business handles so many winning brands.
“First and foremost, good design is crucial. I must like the look of the boat. The shapes of the hull, the deck and windows have to excite me. The windows must let sunshine flood in. The cockpit space has to be well laid-out, big enough for entertaining, yet still comfortable at sea. And it has to be a sailors boat – it has to handle well.”
Following this ideology, Team Windcraft has claimed the position as Australia’s biggest yacht importer and insists that despite its size, it will continue to be highly selective about which brands it represents.
The Windcraft Group has five different arms: Team Windcraft for sailing yachts; eyachts for niche motor boats; TMG for multihulls; YOTI for brokerage; and Windcraft Service.
To find out more about the Hanse 315, Axopar 28 or Solaris ONE 50, contact Team Windcraft on (02) 9979 1709, email boats@windcraftgroup.com or visit windcraft.com.au.