First look at Hanse’s new Privilège 510 cat
PRIVILÈGE IS RENEWING ITS RANGE UNDER HANSE, STARTING WITH THIS 50-FOOTER. FRAN‚OIS TREGOUET REPORTS
For its first launch under the governance of Hanse Yachts, Privilège has totally redesigned its popular 50ft model, the Série 5. But what impact has the German production giant had on this French pioneer in luxury multihulls?
The 510 is now the entry-level model of a range in the making, a catamaran which has been updated in tandem with an all-new 580, due out this autumn. It is also makes for an interesting competitor to the Discovery Bluewater 50 in the luxury multihull market.
The hulls and deck of the 510 still belong to the original Série 5 design, so the volume remains impressive. However, you quickly appreciate the additional design work done by Marc Lombard. The coachroof, which runs a long way forward, also extends aft with the bimini. The portlights are now larger, offering a better view both from the saloon and from the owner’s cabin.
Everywhere you look are minor modifications to increase practicality or stowage space. Take the master cabin for example. It is still housed forward in the central rostrum – a Privilège tradition – and occupies the entire beam of the boat, nearly 8m (26ft). And though the central berth still lacks full headroom, access has been improved by a few crucial centimetres.
The adjoining heads in the starboard hull is palatial, with double washbasin, large retractable mirror and even
speakers in the vast shower. The port side of this cabin has a large dedicated dressing room.
Storage and volume distribution has also been redesigned in the saloon. A locker to starboard of the sliding bay window can now accommodate appliances such as an icemaker, mini-bar or microwave, depending on your preference and likely sailing area.
The galley, which is still of generous dimensions, has conceded a little in space to the saloon. The imposing saloon table on adjustable rams can be lowered to become a play area, or to be used as a rest area for night watches. The cockpit has also gained two more lockers.
The helmstation is a commendable design, now fitted with a rigid windscreen which improves visibility and keeps the helmsman drier. This helps allow for the boat to be handled in all weathers from the comfortable bench seat. Once all the fabric enclosures are in place, it can even be heated.
COMFORTABLE HELMING
The new helmstation layout also makes it possible to accommodate all the electronics you need. Halyard bags would make a useful addition to help keep this area of the cockpit tidy, however, as all sail handling lines return to the helmstation.
During our spring test sail, the wind oscillated between 10 and 15 knots. With the 122m² (1,320ft2) gennaker hoisted, we clocked 7.5 knots in just 11 knots of wind, an acceptable speed considering the 22 tonnes of loaded displacement. With white sails only, the log showed 6.4 knots at 70° to the apparent wind.
All the winches are electric, as are the genoa and staysail furlers. The deck fittings are of very good quality, including the mainsheet cars which helps the main drop into the aluminium canoe boom on its own. While there is little need to venture out on the coachroof, access is still easy from the foot of the mast and there is a stainless steel and teak ladder on the starboard side. Once up there, however, you’ll have to stay inside the genoa tracks, while the hatches can prove slippery.
The test boat had the upgraded 80hp engines, which provide 8 knots cruising speed, 10 knots if you’re in a hurry. The soundproofing in the boat is notably good, including in the two identical aft guest cabins, which are immediately forward of the engine bays. The electrical installation, which is found behind the very large chart table, is also first class.
OUR VERDICT
The Privilège 510 Signature offers a lot of boat for a 50-footer. It has been optimised in every detail. It now comes across as more sober yet just as luxurious, with an interior that remains the centrepiece.
Under sail, it still presents significant weight and windage. However, the layout, ergonomics and technology employed all combine to make it a wellrounded yacht. All in all it bodes well for the future of this 35-year-old brand under its new colours.