Hanse 415 vs 1987 Cape Dory 40 — Comparison
Hanse 415
1987 Cape Dory 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 415 | 1987 Cape Dory 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Cape Dory |
| Year | 2011–2017 | 1987–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.40 m (40.7 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,650 kg (5,842 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 73.0 m² (786 ft²) | 64.5 m² (694 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 310 L (81.9 gal) | 284 L (75.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 415 and 1987 Cape Dory 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 415 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the 1987 Cape Dory 40 is a 1980s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The Hanse 415 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the Hanse 415 measures 12.40m (40.7ft) overall with a beam of 3.96m, compared to the 1987 Cape Dory 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The Hanse 415 is 0.21m longer than the 1987 Cape Dory 40. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 415 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.81 and 73.0 m² of sail area. The 1987 Cape Dory 40, with an SA/D of 15.59 and 64.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hanse 415 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 415 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1987 Cape Dory 40 has a comfort ratio of 22.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 31.2% for the Hanse 415 and 42.1% for the 1987 Cape Dory 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 415 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 310L of water capacity and 170L of fuel. The 1987 Cape Dory 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 284L water and 151L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Cape Dory 40 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Hanse 415 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 415 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.