Hanse 461Further development with a beach club and staysail

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 10.06.2026

The new Hanse 461 remains true to the shipyard’s design philosophy, but incorporates many small, fresh details.
A stern bench, a flying staysail, eight cabin layouts: with the 461, Hanseyachts is already revamping the first model developed in collaboration with the designers at Berret/Racopeau.

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Things are happening again in Greifswald. The first new model since the shipyard group was taken over by entrepreneur Andreas Müller is currently under construction there. This is the 461, which replaces the 460. The 460 was, after all, named European Yacht of the Year in 2022 and is as highly regarded as it is successful on the market.

And now for the successor, although some models in the shipyard’s portfolio are considerably older. The shipyard is not promising a revolution, but says it is focusing on improving tried-and-tested designs. Product manager Andreas Unger states that he intends to further build on the brand’s strengths.

Hanse with a beach club at the stern

The most striking new feature of the new Hanse is at the stern. The so-called Beach Club extends the swim platform and incorporates ergonomic seating right at the water’s edge. The shipyard has enlarged the platform and fitted two cockpit lockers and two stern lockers. An optional wet bar can be fitted with an electric or gas barbecue. New telescopic davits make handling the dinghy easier.

According to Hanse, the cockpit area is said to be the largest among its direct competitors in the 46-foot class, which consists of the Bavaria C46, the Jeanneau 455 of the Beneteau 47 and the Dufour 48 is fitted. The mainsail is hoisted on the cabin roof, which keeps the cockpit area clear. Two steering wheels with optional chartplotters are included as standard.

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Sail plan with staysail option

The sail plan offers several configurations. A new addition is a flying cutter staysail. It runs on a CXr furler and is set using a 2:1 halyard. On deck, a snap hook secures the sail to a pad eye. The sheet runs directly over the genoa tracks to the secondary winches.

The shipyard recommends using the staysail in heavy weather in combination with the second reef in the mainsail. The sail’s centre of gravity is then lower and centred above the lateral centre of gravity. In better conditions, the staysail also works in conjunction with the gennaker as a double headsail. You can choose between a conventional mainsail or a furling mainsail, a self-tacking jib or a Reacher plus a gennaker from Elvstrøm.

Anchoring equipment

The Cruising Package includes either a 20-kilogram galvanised Delta anchor with 60 metres of galvanised chain, or a 27-kilogram stainless steel Ultra anchor with an Ultra swivel and 100 metres of stainless steel chain. The windlass operates at 1000 watts or, optionally, 1500 watts, including a mooring drum for 10-millimetre chain.

Four fixed cleats, each 320 millimetres long, are included as standard. Two additional cleats amidships are available as an option. Retractable cleats are also available.

Cockpit tables

The standard table offers basic functions. Option XC3004 adds a teak table on the port side and an electrically lowerable table on the starboard side, which converts into a sun lounger complete with cushions and a cockpit bench extension. Option XC3005 provides two teak tables, both electrically lowerable with cushions and bench extensions.

Technical specifications: Hanse 46

  • Overall length: 14.30 m
  • Width: 4.57 m
  • Diesel engine: 57 hp or 80 hp with Saildrive
  • Electric motor: 30 kW with an 18.4 kWh or 36.7 kWh battery
  • DC generator: 14 kW (optional)
  • Standard battery: 90 Ah AGM starter battery, 320 Ah AGM service battery
  • Battery upgrade: 640 Ah AGM or 750 Ah lithium
  • Solar panel: 752 Wp (optional)
  • Inverter: 3000 W / 100 A charging current
  • Generator: 6.4 kW or 8.0 kW
  • Standard fridge: 130 l fridge, 38 l freezer
  • Anchor windlass: 1000 W or 1500 W
  • Anchor: Delta 20 kg or Ultra 27 kg stainless steel
  • Chain: 60 m galvanised or 100 m stainless steel, diameter 10 mm
  • Deck hatches: 8 large, 6 small (all openable)
  • Hull windows: 4 large (openable), 4 portholes (openable)
  • Ventilation options: 26 in total
  • Cabin layouts: 8 different configurations
  • Sailing options: conventional or furling mast, self-tacking jib, reacher, gennaker, staysail

​In keeping with the theme

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Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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