A Self-Tacking Headsail - Easy Sailing
Fast Tacks - Outstanding Performance

Traditionally sailing yachts had 2 jib sheets.

Every time you tacked your crew had to take one jib-sheet off and wind the other one on.

With a self-tacker it's simple...

... when you go about the headsail moves across from one side of the boat to the other on its own.

There are no winches to grind. And there's no rushing around deck on while you tack.

So if your crew can't make it... you can still go sailing.

Here's some video footage of yachts with self-tackers sailing on Pittwater near Sydney Australia. See how easy they are to sail?

Advantages of a Self-Tacking Headsail

The obvious advantage of owning a yacht with a self tacker is that it's incredibly easy to sail.

It's no problem to sail single handed or with an inexperienced crew.

If you've got kids on board one of you can always be free to look after them.

The smaller headsail does not get caught and damaged on the guard rails so it lasts longer.

And there's no more heading up front to skirt the sail.

On a traditional yacht with a genoa you keep having to ask your guests to move out of the way while you grind winches.

But on a Hanse your friends can relax - they don't feel they are getting in the way.

Here's a common question we get asked about self-tackers...

Does the Smaller Headsail Result in Compromised Performance?

The straight answer is No!...

... not when the self-tacker is part of the performance rig with a large mainsail. These are standard all on Hanse yachts.

Many of the fastest racing yachts in the world have the performance high aspect rig plan with a large main and small headsail.

In addition a smaller headsail offers a better shape... the jib is flatter so your yacht points higher.

When you tack you don't need to let go or even loosen the jib sheet.

This means the jib sheet stays taught and there's minimal flapping of the sail.

The result?...

... your yacht glides through the tack with minimal loss of speed.

However for maximum performance...

...The Self-Tacker Must be Integral to the Design from Day One

On Hanse yachts the self-tacking headsail is intrinsic to the overall yacht design as opposed to an after-thought option.

For example Hanse sailboats are designed with the mast stepped further back and a high aspect rig plan.

For you this means a beautifully balanced, high performance yacht that's easy to sail.

Hanse's self-tacking track is moulded into the deck... it's been an integral part of every design since 1993.

And How does a Self-Tacking Headsail Work?

With a self-tacker you have just one jib sheet.

The sheet goes from the clew of the sail to a stand-up block mounted on the self-tacker track.

The sheet then feeds up to the mast, back down inside the mast and back to the cockpit winch.

When you tack your yacht the block simply slides from one side to the other as the bow goes through the wind.

And just so you know...

... overlapping headsails with genoa tracks are available on all Hanse yachts.

Ready to go sailing?... here's more about the Hanse performance yacht rig.

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