Hanse 590 Video Review: A Family Cruiser Explained by Its Maker
By the YachtWay editorial deskUpdated October 2026Video walkthrough8 min read
The Hanse 590 is the new flagship of Hanse's cruising range, with a completely new hull and deck. We walked her with Andreas, the product manager behind the boat, before a boat show opened. The idea was to separate the sailing area at the helms from the social area in the cockpit, while keeping everyone connected. Below deck there is a big saloon with a galley island, an owner's cabin forward and two guest cabins with their own heads.
A sailing yacht designed to be easy
Andreas told us the team started from the Hanse 588 and asked how to make it better. The answer was to separate the working area at the helms from the social area, and connect them with seats in front of the helms. All the lines that matter run to two electric winches, the thrusters can hold the boat against the dock, and the hardtop reaches all the way back over the helms. The goal is a boat a couple can sail without crew.
What stood out on board
- A tender garage under the helmsIt takes a 3.1 m tender with a lifting system. The transom flips down to launch it.
- A hardtop that covers the helmsThe backstay was moved forward, so the hardtop reaches back over both helm positions.
- Lines led to two electric winchesMainsheet, genoa, self-tacking jib and outhaul all run to the helms.
- Thrusters that hold the boatA hold function pushes her sideways onto the dock, so one person can handle the lines.
- Twice the time at anchorEach toilet has an 85 L black water tank, plus an extra 185 L tank and a 200 L an hour watermaker.
- A laundry roomThis owner swapped a shower for a utility room with a Miele washer-dryer.
Spec sheet at a glance
| Feature | What you get | The benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 57 ft 9 in (17.6 m) | Sold as a 59 footer |
| Beam | 17 ft 5 in (5.3 m) | Room for a big saloon and cockpit |
| Draft | 8 ft 4 in or 7 ft 1 in (2.54 m or 2.16 m) | Two keels for deeper or shallower bays |
| Displacement | 23.5 t (51,808 lb), keel 6.5 t | Stable for a family cruiser |
| Sail area | 979 sq ft main, 646 sq ft jib | In-mast furling is the usual choice |
| Engine (as filmed) | Yanmar saildrive, 150 hp | 110 hp is standard |
| Tanks | 137 gal fuel, 203 gal water (518 L, 768 L) | Plus a watermaker on this boat |
| Solar | 1,500 W peak on the T-top | Two separate strings, so shade on one does not stop the other |
| Layout (as filmed) | 3 cabins, 3 heads, utility room | 36 layouts on offer, the builder says |
| Helms | Twin wheels, electric winches, thrusters | Manageable by a couple |
| Sailing (builder's run) | 14 kn in 27 kn of wind | Andreas' own best, under genoa and full main |
| Design | Berret Racoupeau | A completely new hull and deck |
Step inside: interactive 3D virtual walkthrough
Drag to look around. Tap the hotspots to move through the boat.
Cockpit and tender garage
The cockpit is the social area, kept apart from the helms. Under the helms there is a tender garage for a 3.1 m tender, which launches when the transom flips down.
- Tables.They lower to make a double sunbed area.
- Grill.With a small sink and a fridge, for fish straight to the table.
- Storage.Lockers under the seats, with drain holes.
- Garage access.Also from the top, so you do not need to open the platform.
- Hardtop.Canvas closes it in at anchor.
- Grab rails.Higher and sturdier than usual, for families.
Helms and sailing
Each helm has two electric winches with the important lines led to them, so you can sail without walking the deck. Andreas said she keeps moving in 4 to 5 knots of wind and has been tested up to 35 knots of wind.
- Sails.A big overlapping genoa and a self-tacking jib on a second forestay.
- Thrusters.Bow and stern, with a hold function.
- Charging.Wireless chargers at the helms and USB sockets by the seats.
- Engine.A 150 hp saildrive on this boat.
- Help on screen.The electronics suggest when to reef or set more sail.
Side decks and bow
LED lights run under the hardtop and along the side decks. At the bow there is a sunbed, and two telescopic poles hold a sun sail over most of the foredeck.
- Keels.A 2.5 m medium draft keel on this boat, with a 2.1 m option.
- Rig.Electric in-mast furling is the usual choice. A conventional mast is offered.
- Crew.A skipper cabin forward if you want one.
- Lighting.Multicolour LEDs under the cover on deck.
Saloon
The saloon feels like a small apartment. Every cabin has at least two opening hatches or portholes for cross ventilation, and the hull windows sit low enough to look out when you are sitting.
- Seats.Deep, with fold-down cup holders.
- Cinema.Lower the table, add cushions and watch the built-in TV.
- Sound.Speakers for a home theatre feel.
- Storage.Space for food, drinks and warm clothes all around.
Galley
The galley steps down from the saloon but keeps its lines, with counters at the same height as the backrests. Andreas called this the biggest step forward from the 588.
- Fridge.Full height, switchable between fridge and freezer.
- Dishwasher.Built in, with wine storage in the corner.
- Dinette.For breakfast, a chart table or a boat office.
Cabins
The owner's cabin is forward, with two guest cabins aft. On this boat every cabin has its own head.
Owner's cabin
- Privacy.The bed is set back, so it is out of sight from the door.
- Quiet.Sealed doors and a sound-insulated bulkhead.
- Bathroom.A shower with a bench to sit on while sailing.
- Storage.A hanging closet with LED lighting.
VIP cabin
- Light.Big hull windows and three openings.
- Head.En suite, with a separate shower lined in GRP.
Second guest cabin
- Head.En suite, without a separate shower on this boat.
- Utility room.A Miele washer-dryer, with room for a deep freezer.
The Hanse 590 is built around making a big boat easy. The lines run to the helms, the thrusters hold her at the dock and the hardtop shades whoever is steering. The cockpit keeps the helms and the lounge apart but connected, and below deck the saloon, the galley island and three cabins with their own heads feel like a home. The tender garage, extra black water tank and watermaker let you stay at anchor longer.
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- Filmed by
- YachtWay Studios