Gennaker, genoa or jib – sailing wardrobe for every course

Types and usage of our sails

Whether it's an extended holiday cruise or performance-oriented regatta sailing – the right combination of sailcloth plays a decisive role when it comes to the performance of a sailing yacht. With their large sail plan, Hanse yachts impress with outstanding speed on all courses. But which sail is the right one for your project? Gennaker, genoa or jib – we give an overview of our sailcloth options and clarify the most important questions.

Gennaker

Thanks to its light material, the asymmetrically cut gennaker is the perfect downwind and reaching sail. As a link between genoa and spinnaker, it unfolds its full performance, especially on courses with a headwind. Due to its harmonious vertical profile, it flies very stably and is particularly easy to trim. On Hanse yachts, the cruising sail can be attached to the anchor fitting and the gennaker halyard in a few simple steps. For our sailboats, we offer a high-performance all-rounder in many color variations from Quantum.

Hanse Crossover Sail

Specially developed for Hanse yachts, the Hanse Crossover Sail offers sporty performance for broad reach and half-wind courses. Unlike the Code 0, it is a true all-rounder and can be ordered optionally for all Hanse sailboats without a second forestay. The sail, which is mainly used in light winds, can be sailed from 65 to 135 degrees to the wind. With an asymmetrical cut and the lightweight CZ laminate, handling remains simple: the sail is equipped with its own forestay and integrated furling device, with which it can be rolled in and out in no time at all. Attached to the anchor fitting and the gennaker halyard, it can be trimmed via any winch in the cockpit. Another advantage for longer trips is that the sail can remain hoisted, so there is no need for constant hoisting and lowering.

Reacher

The optional reaching sail forms the link between the jib and Code 0. It was specially developed for Hanse yachts to replace the classic genoa. It is therefore more bulbous than a genoa, but flatter than a gennaker, which makes it ideal for half-wind to broad reach courses. The reacher is sailed on the second forestay outside the shrouds and has a larger sail area than the genoa. Nevertheless, it is made of stronger sailcloth than the gennaker, but overlaps the mainsail more than the genoa.

Genoa

All Hanse yachts with an installed / with an additional second forestay can also be ordered with a furling genoa from Quantum. It extends to just behind the mast and is furled manually or electrically from the foremost forestay as required. Due to its larger sail area, the headsail offers more propulsion than the jib. It is hoisted outside the shrouds via a genoa rail on each side of the deck. For furling, it can be easily rolled up over the furler and is perfectly protected against the sun with its integrated UV protection strip.

Jib

In addition to the mainsail, an all-round furling jib is part of the basic equipment on most sailing yachts. The standard self-tacking jib on Hanse yachts makes it possible to maneuver comfortably even without a crew, as the jib changes sides automatically via a traveler track when tacking. The jib can be furled and hauled tight from the helm position. Since the genoa track is omitted, the clew has additional trim points that can be adjusted to the wind conditions. In addition to a manual furler, we also offer the headsail with an electric furler. Especially smart: All lines can be stowed under the helmsman's seat to keep the cockpit tidy and free of sheets. That is Easy Sailing!

Mainsail

A mainsail gives the yacht maximum propulsion in all weather conditions. The fully battened Quantum sails, specially designed for Hanse yachts, guarantee a long service life, high dimensional stability and improved sailing characteristics. Mainsails with mast sliders are included as standard for all our yachts, but a furling sail can also be chosen as an option. If you decide on a Hanse 460 or larger, an electric mast furler (in-mast) is possible. A furling boom system (in-boom) is available for the Hanse 508 up to the Hanse 675. In addition to the standard Quantum Dacron sail in cross-cut, we offer the Quantum Blue Water Dacron for the Hanse 418 or larger. Optional for all models is the Quantum AC5 with a tri-radial cut selectable, the Quantum TP6 sailcloth with membrane for sailing yachts starting from the Hanse 508. 

If the wind picks up, the mainsail can be reduced in a few easy steps with the Hanse single-line reefing system. The system built into the boom allows the sail to quickly and conveniently be adjusted to the wind conditions. From the cockpit, the reefing lines for luff and leech can be tightened to the desired size.

Find out more about our sails in our Sails Manual for the individual models.