It was about 5 a.m., I was awake and listening to the rain, thinking about my sailing reviews due later that morning. I began to think of all the production sailboats that were built in the U.S. in the 1970s. There was Islander, Ericson, Ranger, Columbia, Cal, Pacific Sea Craft, Westsail, and that was only Southern California. I’m not even going to try to list the builders on the East Coast. The point I’m trying to make is: Where are they all now? Why are they gone?

It looks very much like all the production builders of family cruiser-racer type boats are now in Europe. With this shift comes an undeniable sameness in design. I wouldn’t call it a trend, it’s more than that, it’s almost a rule. A good example is the two boats we have to review this month: the Hanse 360 and the Bavaria C46.

In terms of hull form, the Hanse 360 is very beamy with a beam-to-length ratio of 2.65.   I’d call that “fat.” In addition, while it is common these days to see chines aft to add usable volume, the Hanse 360 takes it one step further and has chines all the way to the stem to create volume forward.

Looking at the plan view of the hull it is easy to see we are getting very close to “the box the boat came in.” Look how far forward the maximum beam is carried. It is almost de rigueur to bring the max beam all the way to the transom for interior volume.

Is this a fast shape for a boat with D/L ratio of 199.7? I don’t think so. But boat speed was not the primary target in this design. I’d enjoy talking to the designer, Berret-Racouteau.  Interestingly, the chine fairs out around station 7.8, and there is no chine at the transom, just a hard turn to the bilge.

Overhangs? You must be kidding. My eyeballs see about 7.5 inches of overhang per the sailplan profile. Freeboard is high, as you’d expect, again to gain interior volume. You can choose from shoal draft at 5 feet 5 inches, or medium draft at 6 feet 9 inches. There is a single rudder, which may be a challenge to keep in the water at high angles of heel.

There are two interior options. You can have twin aft cabins with double berths, or you can have one aft cabin and a large lazarette opposite for storage. This boat is not big on locker space, the fo’c’sle is tiny. You can choose from a centerline wedge-shaped berth, or if you want a second head, it can be wedged in to port forward, with the forward berth angled off to starboard. There is undoubtedly a combination of features and accommodations that will please a buyer.

There are no real surprises on deck. The side decks are totally clear with all lines running internally and exiting aft at the cockpit coaming. The cockpit features twin wheels, a door for easy access from the stern at the dock, and plenty of sole area for a dining table.  The contours of the cabintrunk are nicely sculpted and cut away to make room for the jib track. There is an additional jib track on the cabintrunk, and a track forward for a self-tacking jib.

The SA/D is 15.75, which is on the low side.  Spreaders are swept 33 degrees, which is on the high side. There is no standing backstay indicated on the sailplan drawing, but there appear to be running backstays in the rendering.

I’m sure this boat will find a lot of appeal among sailors who are after volume and space for entertaining.

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LOA 37’2”; LWL 33’9”; Beam 13’1”; Draft shallow 5’5”, deep 6’9”; Displ. shallow-keel 17,659 lb., deep-keel 17,196 lb.; Sail area 656 sq. ft.; Auxiliary standard 29-hp, electric 25kW; Fuel 42 gal.; Water 91 gal.; D/L199.7; B/L 2.65; S/AD www.hanseyachts.com