I first saw the new Hanse 410 at the Annapolis spring boat show in April. Like her big sister the 510, which I had sailed the previous fall (a SAIL Top 10 Best Boats winner for 2024), she looked sharky even trussed and fendered to the dock. Her reverse, wave-piercing bow, flat sheer, and gradually sloping, lean cabintop combined for a profile that was rakish and speedy.
A week or so later, we took her for a spin on a sterling spring day on the Chesapeake Bay with 12- to 15-knot southerly, and I was happy to find that this boat is even handier and just as quick as her big sister. To my way of thinking, this is a huge positive, because no matter how you slice those electric winches, self-tacking jibs, and furling sails on big boats, 41 feet is a lot more reasonable for a couple to handle, not to mention less expensive to maintain and keep in a slip.
For this boat to have the same sprightly sailing chops as the 51 while delivering a supremely comfortable, spacious layout below was impressive. It’s a lot of thoughtful, fun boat for 41 feet, and I could easily imagine a summer coastal cruise, a Bahamas sojourn, or just a fun day of playing hookie with her.
Hanse teamed up again with Berret-Racoupeau to develop the 410, continuing to employ chines starting right at the bow, enabling more interior volume forward (an extra 6 inches, which makes a big difference in that owner’s cabin) but also a narrower hull shape below the waterline for good upwind performance and wave-piercing ability.
We didn’t get much chance to test that latter attribute thanks to flat water, but her other characteristics quickly showed. We flew the standard self-tacking jib and a full mainsail (both Elvstrøm) on a double-spreader, 65-foot rig with in-mast furling. Hanse usually uses Seldén masts, however our test boat was an outlier with a Z-Spar.
Heading upwind, we made 6 knots at an apparent wind angle (AWA) of 38 degrees in about 12 knots of true wind; coming out of a tack—which of course is dead easy with the self-tacking jib—she was a little slow getting back up to speed, but the wind had also dropped a bit. On the opposite tack we saw 6-6.5 knots of speed at 35 AWA in about 15 true. Adding some vang produced a quick response of an extra half a knot of boatspeed.
The German-sheeted mainsail runs through two blocks just ahead of the companionway, a fairly typical arrangement these days that eliminates the hassle of a traveler—as well as extra tweakability for the main, unfortunately—but the rig does have an adjustable backstay to dial in shape a bit more if you’re that kind of sailor.
The single rudder is on cable steering with Carbonautica wheels. Steering was balanced with a slight weather helm, just enough to feel the boat but not enough to overpower, which felt just right. I would have liked to test that further in more wind, but on this particular day, this was just a fun-feeling boat to sail.
I assumed that with the 376-square-foot jib we’d be a little hamstrung downwind. (The boat does come with a spinnaker package, but ours wasn’t set up with it.) Not so. In about 10 knots true wind at 160 AWA we scooted along at 6.5 knots; this popped up to 7.2-7.5 knots in some puffs of 12-14 at 150 AWA. We tried to run wing-and-wing, but the jib wasn’t really having it; I’d definitely take that spinnaker option here to see what she can really do.
Visibility was excellent from both helms. Two electric Lewmar winches are located just ahead of each helm after the banks of line clutches. Line spaghetti is, of course, the price you pay for everything led aft. Hanse tries to help with two dedicated line storage compartments under the outboard helm seats, but the reality is that you’ll probably be dealing with some tangles while sailing (or, if you’re like me, lots of tidying).
Each helm station has matching Raymarine displays with an outboard-facing repeater on the side of the helm, so you can sit to the side, steer, and easily see your wind, angles, and speed. Throttle is to starboard and at calf-level, never ideal since you have to bend down to adjust speed while motoring, but it’s a common enough arrangement.
The primary feature of the cockpit layout is the pair of tables at each settee, leaving the path clear from the companionway to the transom. Our boat had the optional hi-low versions that lower to form two big lounge areas. The coamings here are tall, creating comfortable backrests as well as making the cockpit feel more secure.
A grill and wet bar are under the aft cockpit seat between the helms; alternatively, you can have liferaft storage here. On either side, the seats lift to provide access to the transom which easily lowers using a line and block to make a swim platform at anchor. Dinghy storage will be a bit of a challenge; the options seem to be telescoping davits, towing, or using a small inflatable with a roll-up floor that you can pack away.
Two views of the cockpit. Left, good ergonomic placement of the primary winch and sail controls ahead of the helm. Right. the optional grill and wet bar is situated centrally aft between the helm seats. With the lid lowered, this is a nice central seat. An option is to have liferaft storage here instead.
At just 41 feet, this boat packs in a lot of elegance, light, and space into the salon.
Another “big-boat” feature are the twin cockpit tables, which can lower to form lounge areas, left. This arrangement makes fore and aft movement in the cockpit a breeze. The engine access is below the companionway steps and via panels on both sides, right.
From the helms, one tall step, holding the split backstay for support, leads to the side deck, which is a little narrow at first but quickly widens for comfortable access forward. A solid bulwark here provides a feeling of security and the side decks are clear, with the exception of the slight dip you must make to pass the lower shroud. Forward, the anchor hangs on the short sprit. Open the anchor locker hatch to find an easily accessible Quick windlass and a 36-inch-deep locker for anchor rode storage.
While we were sailing upwind, I went below and the first thing I noticed was good handhold placement, starting with the two vertical posts at the wide, shallow steps and grabrail at the galley. I would have liked a few more going forward, but the compression post and table can serve.
The salon layout is quite traditional yet extremely spacious and bright. On our test boat, twin aft cabins had double bunks with storage beneath and hanging lockers, and they shared a head with shower to starboard. An alternative layout converts the port aft cabin to a massive storage garage, accessed from the galley as well as the cockpit locker above. I was happy to see that both aft cabins had opening hatches and opening portlights; too often these spaces are airless caves, depending on air conditioning, but these were well-lit and ventilated.
In fact, in an era when people can’t seem to get enough air conditioning on boats, Hanse puts a refreshing premium on natural ventilation. This boat has the most opening deck hatches in its class, with a total of 10—including five in the owner’s cabin forward, one in each aft cabin, and one over the galley and in the head. These, in addition to opening portlights throughout the salon and in the aft cabins, ensure excellent air flow on all but the hottest of nights. AC is an option, but you very well may not need it.
The L-shaped galley is to port, half of it facing the dinette to port and settee to starboard. There are a lot of refrigerator and storage options here; it’s up to you which is more important for your cruising needs.
A nav station to starboard, aft of the settee, can be a traditional style with the end-of-settee seat facing aft for direct communication to the cockpit. Or, you can choose a combination nav table with instrument panel above and extra drawer fridge/freezer, storage, or dishwasher below.
Batteries and inverter are under the starboard settee, accessible when you remove the cushions. My only gripe about the boat belowdecks is the same I had on the 510, which is bilge access. There are plenty of access points, but there’s no discernible way to lift the boards since they don’t have finger holes or any kind of divot to pry them up. It makes for a seamless sole, but the one place I don’t want any hassle with access is the bilge.
Forward is the owner’s suite with head, ample storage, and island double berth. If you choose the two-cabin layout, you can ditch the head here (using the head and shower aft) and have a vanity, desk, and extra storage instead, and this option makes this already roomy cabin truly spacious.
Access to the engine is under the steps. It’s a bit of a tight squeeze, but panels on each side help with that. The standard boat comes with a 39-hp Yanmar diesel with a two-blade prop on a saildrive; our test boat had the 56-hp upgrade with a three-blade prop on a saildrive, which pushed us at 7.8-8 knots at 2,500 rpm, and a more-than-reasonable 7.3 knots at 2,100 rpm.
Hanse says a fully electric version is offered with a XG1500 25-kW electric motor and a reported 55 nautical mile range.
Returning to the very tight slip in a blustery crosswind, we made good use of the boat’s optional bow and stern thrusters. For this big bow, it’s an option I would definitely consider.
With the 410, Hanse has delivered a well-thought-out boat that delivers spirited sailing with very little fuss, as well a lot of boat for 41 feet when it comes to living spaces, entertaining, or just hanging out when you get to your destination. It will be hard to resist playing hookie for a day—or a month or two—with this one.
LOA 41’2”
LWL 37’9”
Beam 14’1”
Draft 6’9” (medium keel), 5’6” (shallow keel)
Air Draft 65’6”
Displacement 21,341 lbs
Ballast 5,236 lbs
Sail Area 871 sq ft upwind (furling main, self-tacking jib)
Power Yanmar 39hp (std) 56hp (option) on saildrive
Designer Barret-Racoupeau
Builder Hanse Yachts, hanseyachts.com
Price $362,000 (base) $548,650 (as tested)
Meet the Other 2025 Top 10 Best Boats Nominees
June 2024
