The Hanse 455 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Hanse 455, a light displacement fractional cruising sloop, was designed by Judel/Vrolijk & Co and built in Germany by Hanse Yachts.

A Hanse 455 sailboat at anchorThe crew of a Hanse 455 enjoys the fold-down bathing platform

Published Specification for the Hanse 455

Underwater Profile: Bulb fin keel & spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 44'5" (13.6m)

Waterline Length: 40'0" (12.2m)

Beam: 14'4" (4.4m)

Draft: 7'4" (2.3m)*

Rig Type: Fractional sloop

Displacement: 25,574lb (11,600kg)

Ballast: 7,716lb (3,500kg)

Designer: Judel/Vrolijk & Co

Builder: Hanse Yachts (Germany)

Year First Built: 2014

Year last Built: 2017

* Other keel options available

Hanse 455 sailplan and underwater profileThe Hanse 455 sailplan and underwater profile
Hanse 455 Accommodation layoutOne of the interior layout options for the Hanse 455


Read more about the latest boats in the Hanse range...


Published Design Ratios for the Hanse 455

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.5

  • Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
  • 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
  • Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 30.2

  • Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
  • Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 178

  • Under 100: Ultralight
  • 100 to 200: Light
  • 200 to 275: Moderate
  • 275 to 350: Heavy
  • Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 27.5

  • Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
  • 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
  • 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
  • 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
  • Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

  • Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
  • Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Hanse 455

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.1 suggests that, in the right hands, the Hanse 4550 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 30.2 would usually mean that the Hanse 455 would have a tendency to heel uncomfortably in a gust, and need to be reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

However, as she has much of her ballast concentrated in a bulb at the foot of her keel, she's likely to be considerably stiffer than her published Ballast/Displacement Ratio might suggest.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 178 tells us the Hanse 455 is a light displacement sailboat. If she's loaded with too much heavy cruising gear her performance will suffer to a degree.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 27.5 suggests that crew comfort of a Hanse 455 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not the best of news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.1 tells us that a Hanse 455 would be a better choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.

Other sailboats in the Hanse range include:

Recent Articles

  1. Used Sailboats for Sale in the Caribbean

    Jun 07, 23 01:51 AM

    Looking for used sailboats for sale that are capable of crossing an ocean? These cruising yachts are already in the Caribbean, but what are the risks and benefits of buying out there?

    Read More

  2. 'Shindig', a 40ft Bluewater Cruising Yacht for Sale

    Jun 04, 23 08:32 AM

    If you're looking for a unique Bluewater Cruising Yacht for sale in the Caribbean, then 'Shindig' is certainly worth a look...

    Read More

  3. Used Sailing Equipment For Sale

    Jun 04, 23 06:26 AM

    Here's where people with sailing equipment for sale advertise their stuff entirely free of charge. If you're looking for used sailing gear or other used boating accessories, here's where to find it!

    Read More