Hanse 445 vs Hunter 450 — Comparison
Hanse 445
Hunter 450
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hanse 445 | Hunter 450 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hanse | Hunter |
| Year | 2012–2017 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Germany | USA |
| Designer | judel/vrolijk & co | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 13.50 m (44.3 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 10,100 kg (22,267 lbs) | 10,886 kg (23,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 87.0 m² (937 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 55 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 370 L (97.7 gal) | 341 L (90.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hanse 445 and Hunter 450 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hanse 445 is a modern design by Hanse from Germany, while the Hunter 450 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The Hanse 445 was penned by judel/vrolijk & co. The Hunter 450 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the Hanse 445 measures 13.50m (44.3ft) overall with a beam of 4.20m, compared to the Hunter 450 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.27m beam. The Hunter 450 is 0.22m longer than the Hanse 445. The Hunter 450 displaces approximately 8% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hanse 445 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.91 and 87.0 m² of sail area. The Hunter 450, with an SA/D of 17.79 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 445 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hanse 445 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 15.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The Hunter 450 has a comfort ratio of 15.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 31.7% for the Hanse 445 and 37.5% for the Hunter 450, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hanse 445 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 370L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The Hunter 450 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 341L water and 189L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 450 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 445 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.