Video footage of Hanse's new 575 shot during Yachting World's boat test of the premiere model. The Hanse 575 test features in full in our January 2013 issue.

‘Fast cruising, easy sailing’ is Hanse’s motto for their new 575, a judel/vrolijk design aimed at getting places quickly and easily. The German company’s new big boat is a big boat indeed, with plentiful freeboard height buying a voluminous and light interior, whilst keeping a clean looking deck and sleek coachroof that’s so low it barely rises from the teak.

The height of the Hanse 575 also buys room for a jet tender to stow in a garage in the transom – a hydraulic platform lowers to allow the Rib to roll out, and it can be launched and retrieved by one person. Her shallow companionway leads into a vast one-level interior, with a three-cabin layout on the test boat, each with its own heads. But up to 1.5m is a lot of topside to be confronted by and can make just boarding the boat an issue.
Could the Hanse 575 be all things to all people I wondered as we tested her? A fast, spacious, distance-munching cruiser that could be sailed by a couple, ship a practical tender for when you arrive plus the mod-cons to make her feel like a home from home? I was certainly glad there were only two of us aboard and a fresh breeze, as it proved she is actually a very capable boat and indeed manageable shorthanded. And I think that for a boat that will cost around £400k (with taxes and options), she makes for a smart yet movable second home. See what you think…
The full report is in our January 2013 issue, out now.