Hanse 545 Possible Purchase, Keel Depth

[pilotvelez]

I am a new member and this is my first post. I am a pilot looking to retire and live aboard. Looking at various boats.

I am looking at purchasing a Hanse 545 but have some questions and concerns.

First is the Keel depth. At 9'3" I am concerned with grounding.

Has anyone had experience with a boat with a similar depth?

Second is the quality of the boat itself. Are there any Hanse owners or anyone who has been on one who can share their experiences.

Thanks in advance!

[robert sailor]

9 plus feet can be an issue depending on your cruising grounds. West coast, no problem, East coast not so good in many areas. I have a friend with a Hanse and he likes it, its really roomy and seems to sail quite well. Any of the entry level boats seem to be OK for trade wind sailing.

[Kenomac]

We see plenty of them around here. Where do you plan on cruising?

We draw 7ft 3" and there are quite a few places we can't go, or at least get in close. Like the nice shipyard I'm at now, the chart lists the dock area at 2 meters. I need to come and go at high tide which is 3 meters to be safe.

There are two of those Hanses next to me, don't know how they got here.

[pilotvelez]

I live in Hong Kong and plan on starting there and heading south to the Philippians and points south.

I know that the Hanse 545 came with an option of a shorter keel (around 7"), maybe the Hanse's in your yard have the shorter keel.

[hamburking]

Originally Posted by pilotvelez

First is the Keel depth. At 9'3" I am concerned with grounding.

With a 9' draft, around here you will be able to go just about nowhere. For interesting anchorages, and skulking about, shallow draft is needed. 4' is good.

A 9' draft is best for passagemaking or racing. Which one are you?

I sailed a swan48 with a 8.5' draft into Antigua. Very limiting, and nervewracking for the skipper/owner.

[Russ]

I draw 6' and that is limiting. UNLESS you are going to cross the Atlantic STAY clear, wayyyy too much draft. There will be FEW marinas any where you could get into for fuel, water and to live-aboard.
Six Feet is MY MAX! Russ aboard 42'Steel Ted Brewer Kingsland

[pilotvelez]

My plan is to sail in SE Asia for the first year before doing any crossings. Thanks for the advise. Your posts confirm my concerns. It does make me think twice about the purchase. My biggest problem is getting a boat in Hong Kong that comes with a berth since it is close to impossible to find one otherwise. The Hanse 545 is being offered with a berth. I guess I may have to continue waiting and searching.
Bummer....

[Awatea]

Hello
I own a Hanse 531 and have lived on it for 5 years for 9 months of the year! I love my yacht! The draught of 2.8m is not too much of a handicap, but I am in the Med at present. I find the yacht very, very liveable. It's a good sailing yacht as well. The 545 is the same hull as the 531, but with different keel design and new cabin top. A good choice. Cheers
John

[mausgras]

I cruise around peninsula Thailand & Malaysia You will be quite limited in some areas and high end marinas with that draft but there is also still plenty of places you can sail.
Its a choice between comfort or convenience.

[pilotvelez]

Awatea, Can you share your impressions regarding quality of build and support? What king of issues have you experienced?

What about feedback you have heard from other Hanse owners?

[Awatea]

Hello
I have found them OK> My yacht was the 1st big build model. Since then company changed & 2 model updates. But they have been helpful. Hanse agents are good I have found. Service not like Oyster! But you are not paying Oyster price. Build quality on my yacht is good. Epoxy hull. I would buy another Hanse for sure! I am sailing from Malta to Italy today! Enjoy.

[cwetto]

Like Awatea, we are med based H540e with 2.8m draft. Yes you have to be carefull, sometimes limiting factor, but enjoy a lot when sailing.
As with all boats, buying used, well maintained boat is a good way to let others fix factory issues. But when properly maintained, perfect value for money.
Hardly waiting to set sails around Sicily and Malta in 3 weeks

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[ErikFinn]

Originally Posted by pilotvelez

My plan is to sail in SE Asia for the first year before doing any crossings. Thanks for the advise. Your posts confirm my concerns. It does make me think twice about the purchase. My biggest problem is getting a boat in Hong Kong that comes with a berth since it is close to impossible to find one otherwise. The Hanse 545 is being offered with a berth. I guess I may have to continue waiting and searching.
Bummer....

Hello fellow pilot
My friend has a 52 feet sloop here in Malaysia with a 7 feet draught and he does manage it but finds it a bit stressful at times. By the way, he is also from Hong Kong, and you might want to consider keeping the boat in another country since flights are so cheap here and stay time is not limited like it is in Thailand. Quite a few Honky Yachties here. And so much cheaper than in HK.
My depth is 1,6m and its quite ok, even tho sometimes I'd hope for even less..
But 9 feet is totally useless for a pleasure boat. That is, if you want pleasure..