Hanse 590 in the test: Mega yacht at the price of a large series boat offers a little more of everything
Michael Rinck
· 03.06.2025
Luxury on board is usually defined very individually. On a small cruiser, a lockable toilet room or a refrigeration unit that does not have to be switched off in favour of the power supply for the navigation instruments, even on long trips, already represents a certain luxury, but this perception changes as the size of the boat increases. The desire for the comforts of home quickly arises. Ample headroom, plenty of storage space, heating or cooling at the touch of a button, no need to save on water or electricity, a huge fridge. What is normal on land, however, has to be realised on the water with elaborate installations and large tanks. If the comfort on board exceeds the usual standard in most houses, you are in the luxury segment.
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The Hanse 590 offers this high standard, but is a dwarf in this world of mega yachts. At 17.50 metres overall, it is a small entry-level model in this sphere. To realise this high standard of comfort, however, it is not enough just to have a lot of space. With the 590, Hanse Yachts from Greifwald offers several options for the design of the interior, which also take into account special privacy for the owners.
Numerous variants can be combined
The Berret-Racoupea design thus replaces the previously largest Hanse 675. The new 590 has what it takes to become the new flagship thanks to its voluminous hull, skilful layout and a wealth of optional comfort features. "The added value of the 675 is no longer there, even when measured against the higher price," says Andy Unger, Product Manager at Hanse.
A large storage space or a skipper's cabin can be accommodated at the front of the bow. The latter can be accessed from above via a hatch and offers a bunk, cupboard, toilet and washbasin. Behind this, in the foredeck, there are three layout options: two compartments, each with its own wet room, or as an owner's cabin with the berth in the centre, WC room to port and shower to starboard. However, the third variant should offer the highest degree of usability and privacy: The double berth is then moved to port, out of the line of sight of the door positioned to starboard. In addition, the bathroom between the skipper's and owner's compartments extends across the entire width of the bow. This creates sound insulation from the anchor winch and skipper's cabin. This layout variant also offers a small desk. An extra that is becoming increasingly popular, according to Andreas Unger.
Measured values of the Hanse 590
The saloon and galley area is located behind the main bulkhead. Cooking takes place on the port side in an L-shaped galley, which is one step down. This keeps the work surfaces at the same level as the saloon table and navigation, but the height is ideal for working standing up. An almost ceiling-high refrigerator offers plenty of capacity, which is further increased by a wine refrigerator on the starboard side, a freezer in the so-called utility room (more on this in a moment) and a refrigerator in the wet bar at the stern. An oven, microwave, dishwasher and plenty of worktop and storage space make the galley very usable. The galley island separates the area well from the saloon and provides support when the boat is moored. This island also houses the TV, which can be raised at the touch of a button and is then clearly visible from the saloon bench.
The only option for organising the saloon is to install a sofa instead of the navigation corner. Behind it, there are more variations. There are always two aft cabins, but the wet room with a separate shower, a utility room with washing machine and freezer or without a wet room but with two bunk beds can be installed on the port side in front. There is a technical tunnel between the aft compartments in the extension from the engine aft, where the generator is also housed. An additional layer of sound insulation matting is (optionally) installed here to reduce noise in the aft compartments. The wet room to starboard can also be accessed through the separate shower from the saloon. This means that guests can use the bathroom without having to go into the cabin. This detail is also intended to provide more privacy.
Cockpit with sunbathing area
On deck, the most striking detail of the Hanse 590 is the cockpit-spanning hardtop (optional, 38,140 euros). At the front, it rests on a GRP arch, while at the rear it is supported by more delicate stainless steel supports. This gives the impression from a distance that it is floating above the cockpit. An impressive 18 square metres are thus covered and protected from excessive sunlight or rain. A textile segment can be opened in the centre aft, allowing a good view of the rig from the helm stations. Under the canopy there is a sofa area around two cockpit tables.
A special feature is the additional seating directly in front of the wheels, which gives the co-sailors a clear view forwards and still allows good communication with the person at the helm. Between these additional seats in front of the wheels, two steps lead up to the running decks. This walkaround solution makes it easy to get to the front. The halyard winches are also mounted on the aft end of the cockpit coaming. This is also where the gennaker sheet will be routed later. A practical detail are the compartments in which the halyards and the outhaul are stored. When working directly on the winch, the position is very sheltered, as you stand slightly lower in front of the steps on the running deck. The (optional) raised railing provides a very high level of safety here. The winches can also be retrieved from the steering position at the touch of a button.
Solid under sail
The test run takes place on the Greifswalder Bodden. The 150 hp Yanmar pushes the Hanse 590 through the water at just over nine knots at cruising speed. Unfortunately, this is a speed that could not be reproduced under sail in calm wind conditions. The log rose to over five knots upwind with a slight schrick in the sheet, just over half the theoretical hull speed. A solid value, considering the simple furling main without battens, which also has ten square metres less surface area.
The Hanse 590 is very easy to steer. The wheels steer the central rudder very directly, with a little feedback in the form of rudder pressure. The system needs 1.75 turns from hard to starboard to hard to port. It sits and steers with a good view forwards into the self-tacking jib at the very outside of the railing. A multifunctional display with sailing data is attached to the side of the steering column. This means you don't have to twist your head to look at the plotter. Further amidships on the wheel, you can look up into the mainsail through the open textile part of the cockpit canopy. The mainsheet and jib sheet are positioned on the winches in the centre next to the helm stations. They can be conveniently hoisted at the touch of a button, and all you need to do is reach for the winch without having to leave the wheel. The situation is different with the halyard winches at the passageway to the running decks. Here, another hand is required on deck, unless the autopilot is used, in which case the sails can also be set single-handed. The wind continues to drop, now only five to seven knots. Nevertheless, 5.3 knots are possible under gennaker.
Lots of technology
Back in the harbour, the large Hanse can be manoeuvred very well. A little throttle with the rudder down is enough to initiate the turn. In case of doubt, this would not even be necessary, as the test boat is equipped with bow and stern thrusters. This not only allows the boat to turn, but also to move lengthways. In addition, the thrust of both propellers is infinitely variable and can be fixed at the touch of a button. This allows the yacht to be pushed onto the pier in the manner of a harbour ferry and moored at leisure.
Below deck, there is a lot of technology under each floorboard: three air conditioning systems are installed, each with water cooling and its own condensation sump with pump. There are two diesel tanks and an additional 180-litre black water tank under the saloon table. There are also two hydraulic systems, one for the bathing platform and one for the retractable gangway (34,510 euros). The tables in the cockpit and saloon can be lowered at the touch of a button.
Pricing of the Hanse 590
The technology not only dominates the area under and behind the interior fittings, it also causes the price to soar. While the comfort price according to the YACHT definition is 1,072,607 euros, the test boat comes in at around 1.5 million. Air conditioning, entertainment, atmospheric lighting, bow and stern thrusters and the dinghy crane make a significant impact here.
- Base price ex shipyard: 981.631 €
- Standard equipment included: engine, sheets, railing, navigation lights, battery, compass, sails, cushions, galley/cooker, bilge pump, toilet, fire extinguisher, electric coolbox, holding tank with suction
- For an extra charge: Cruising Package, 2 centre cleats per side, anchor 40 kilos with 60 metre chain, hydraulic backstay tensioner, bow thruster, 4 x 160 Ah AGM batteries, charger/inverter, fenders, mooring lines, flagpole, Windex € 35,581
- Price ready to sail: 1.017.212 €
- Guarantee/against osmosis: 2/5 years
Surcharge for comfort equipment
- Hole points: n.a.
- Traveller with line guide: n.a.
- Electric windlass: 6.664 €
- Tube kicker: incl.
- Jumping cleats: Cruising Package
- Sprayhood: 5.355 €
- Teak in the cockpit: 1.666 €
- VHF radio: Navigation package
- Log and echo sounder: Navigation package
- Wind measuring system: Navigation package
- Autopilot: Navigation package
- Navigation package: 23.860 €
- Charger: incl.
- Shore connection with FI: incl.
- 230 volt socket: incl.
- Heating: 17.850 €
- Pressurised water system: incl.
- Hot water boiler: incl.
- Shower WC room: incl.
- Cockpit shower: incl.
- Comfort price: 1.072.607 €
- Included in the price: Eight hull windows, concealed halyards, bathing platform (hydraulic), bowsprit (GRP, with anchor roller), mast steps, berth cushions
Status 2025, how the prices shown are defined, read here!
Comparable yachts like Jeanneau 60 and Beneteau Oceanis 60 cost just over one million euros in base price. The Hallberg-Rassy 57 on the other hand, is more than twice as expensive, as is the new Y6 from YYachts, which starts at two million euros. The Hanse 590 is therefore very attractively priced.
YACHT review of the Hanse 590
The new flagship from Hanse offers the luxury of a mega yacht at the price of a large series boat. Thanks to the modular layout, there is plenty of potential for customisation below deck. The cockpit offers plenty of comfort with a sofa area, barbecue and bathing platform.
Design and concept
High degree of customisation
Large protected cockpit (weather protection also possible)
/(+) Freeboard 1.79 m
Sailing performance and trim
Cruiser-typical potential
High torso speed
Suitable for single-handed use with E-winches
Living and finishing quality
Generous amount of space
Special consideration for privacy and sound insulation
Headroom mostly over 2.0 metres
Equipment and technology
High-quality equipment
Great self-sufficiency
Lots of convenience features make for a confusing installation
The Hanse 590 in detail
Technical data of the Hanse 590
- CE design category: A
- Torso length: 16,90 m
- Total length: 17,60 m
- Waterline length: 16,26 m
- Width: 5.30x m
- Draught/alternative: 2,53/2,18 m
- Mast height above WL: 26,27 m
- Theor. torso speed: 9.8 kn
- Weight: 22,9 t
- Ballast/proportion: 5,90 t/26 %
- Mainsail (furling mast): 81,0 m²
- Furling genoa (100 %): 60,0 m²
- machine (Yanmar): 110 kW/150 hp
- Fuel tank: 520 l
- Fresh water tanks: 770 l
- Holding tanks: 3x85 l, 1x180 l
- Batteries: 2 x 160 AH + 1 x 90 AH
Hull and deck construction
Sandwich with balsa core, first layer with vinyl ether resin. Main bulkhead vacuum infusion.
Modular layout
There are different options for the bow (skipper's cabin or storage space), forward cabin, saloon and aft cabin, which can be freely combined.
Comfort
The comfort equipment with various refrigerators, three air conditioning units and a generator makes the installation complex.
Hydraulics
The bathing platform and gangway each have their own hydraulics. The technology is installed under the steering position on the starboard side.
Garage
The huge storage space in the stern provides room for a 3.10 metre tender, which is lowered into the water by crane with an electric winch.
Shipyard
Hanseyachts AG, Ladebower Chaussee 11, 17493 Greifswald; telephone 0 38 34/57 92-2 00; www.hanseyachtsag.com
Distribution
Dealer network
