Cockwells Hardy 45 European Review (2025 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

The Hardy 45 European is designed for practical, get-on-and-go boating. Boarding is straightforward thanks to side gates that open outwards and make stepping aboard from a pontoon quick and easy. Unlike boats that rely solely on the bathing platform for boarding, this setup keeps things practical and accessible.

Wide side decks with plenty of non-slip make it easy to move around, with sensible, belt-and-braces details like additional side gates for stepping ashore. The bow area is fitted with an anchor winch with simple up-and-down controls, a sturdy bollard, and the anchor itself easily accessible. The deck layout is clearly geared toward those who like to work their boats confidently.

At the stern, the aft deck is raised to allow for the aft cabin beneath, and functions as the main cockpit. The helm and social seating are arranged all on this level, creating a very connected space. Canopy sections are cleverly designed. The framework can lift across and zip to the aft edge, or the forward canopy section can hinge back to open things up. This means the area can quickly adapt between fully enclosed wheelhouse or open-air cockpit, depending on the weather.

Overhead, the arch houses the radar and antennas and is fully hinged to fold down for canal cruising. At the stern, there’s a life raft stowed within easy reach and wet storage lockers for offshore kit. One locker is a proper wet locker that drains overboard, perfect for stashing damp oilskins after a blustery crossing.

Step through the large sliding stainless steel-framed door into a space that makes the most of the boat’s full-length accommodation. Hardy has built a boat where the hull and superstructure are set, but the interior is highly customisable. The fit-out on this boat features American Oak woodwork, which looks very nice. It’s really not the boat for bargain-hunters chasing the cheapest 45-footer though.

The saloon benefits from the absence of an interior helm. The upper helm is so well protected that a second control station isn't needed, which means the whole of the interior is given over to living space. Big windows run along the saloon, offering excellent views even when seated. There’s storage thoughtfully built in throughout – under the saloon seating, within cabinetry, and tucked away under hatches.

A fixed-leg table sits centrally in the saloon, though a height-adjustable version is available. Just inside the door, tucked under seating, are compartments for deck gear. Heating controls and generator switchgear are neatly housed here too, along with easy access to service points.

The galley is located forward on the port side and has been specified with a large fridge and freezer, though owners can opt for a fridge-freezer combination plus a washing machine if preferred. Across from the galley is a pantry area for extra storage. In the alternative layout, this pantry space is absorbed to enlarge the galley and forward cabin, providing a bit more elbow room if that’s your preference.

The day heads is just forward of the galley, accessed directly from the passageway but also doubling as the ensuite for the guest cabin. It features a rotating shower screen, ventilation fan, and the usual basin and toilet setup.

Throughout the interior, ventilation has been well thought out. Side doors, overhead hatches, and opening windows in the aft cabin ensure good through flow, while small demisters and heaters keep things comfortable in cooler conditions.

Owner's Cabin

The aft cabin is one of the Hardy 45 European’s major drawcards. It stretches across the full beam and is much like a proper bedroom. Storage wraps around the space with hanging lockers, drawers by the bed, and a dressing table.

Opening windows at the stern provide fresh air and a proper escape route if ever needed. The ensuite in the owner’s cabin is larger than the forward heads, with a roomy shower, full ventilation, and dimmable lighting. The lighting throughout the owner’s cabin is on dimmers, easily adjusted to suit.

The cabin’s finish is in keeping with the solid, high-quality feel seen throughout the boat - doors latch neatly and click back securely.

Guest Accommodation

The guest cabin is located forward, offering excellent separation from the owner’s cabin. This layout is perhaps best for two couples cruising together or families who appreciate a bit of breathing room.

The forward cabin is fitted with V-berths and comes with an infill to convert it into a double berth. The alternative layout offers scissor berths that can slide together or apart, offering flexibility depending on who’s on board.

Storage is well provided with wardrobes, overhead lockers, and additional compartments under the bunks. The day heads is ensuite to this cabin but also acts as the guest facilities during the day.

Little details like reading lights, USB charging points, and excellent ventilation, including an overhead hatch, make this a very usable, comfortable space.

The Hardy 45 European is powered by twin Yanmar diesel engines, each delivering 440 horsepower through conventional shaft drives. The engines live under a large deck section aft that lifts completely to give excellent access – the whole deck is on sturdy hinges supported by gas struts. For daily checks or quick maintenance, there’s a smaller hatch built in, making routine inspections easy.

Her top speed is around 28 knots, with a comfortable cruise between 18 and 22 knots. On the delivery trip from Cornwall to Southampton, she cruised at 20 knots, comfortably covering the distance in eight hours.

Fuel range is equally versatile. At cruising speeds, the range is roughly 300 nautical miles, but thanks to the semi-displacement hull, if you throttle right back to 7 knots, you could cover up to 1,300 miles.

A Fischer Panda generator sits in the engine space, supporting the onboard systems. The heating and demister systems are sensibly laid out and accessible. The wet locker storage drains, very practical hatch mechanisms with positive locking points, and solid build quality are all around the engine spaces.

The annual running costs of the Cockwells Hardy 45 European typically fall within 8% to 12% of the boat’s value per year, depending on usage patterns, berthing choices, and maintenance preferences.

The Hardy 45 European is an owner-operated cruising boat designed for practical, extended use. Built on the proven Hardy 42 semi-displacement hull that allows for a wide operating envelope, from economical displacement cruising to faster coastal passages, which can have a noticeable impact on running costs depending on cruising habits.

This is not a mass-produced boat. With a semi-custom build process based in Cornwall, Cockwells allow owners to tailor the layout and interior finish to suit their cruising style, creating something more personal and carefully specified than a typical production yacht. That exclusivity, combined with Hardy’s reputation for quality and seaworthiness, helps these boats hold their value well. Resale demand tends to remain steady, and provided the boat is properly maintained, depreciation is generally controlled.

The twin shaft-drive Yanmar diesels are a conventional, proven setup that offers a good balance between performance and ease of maintenance, with the flexibility to cruise efficiently at lower speeds or cover ground quickly on longer coastal passages.

The "European" has a few genuine differences from the standard Hardy 45 that open up a whole new world of cruising. While both boats share the same length and weight, the Hardy 45 European is a little wider, with a beam of 4.40m compared to the Hardy 45’s 4.30m - but the real difference is in the height. The standard Hardy 45 stands at 5.60m - fine for coastal work, but simply too tall for many inland routes. The Hardy 45 European is built lower - its air draft is just 3.38m as the radar arch folds down, plus the option of a folding windscreen, it's carefully tailored to slip under the famously low bridges of the French canals, including the tight clearances of the Canal du Midi.

This makes the European version equally capable offshore and deep inland. It’s designed to be owner-operated, with sensible deck access, excellent visibility from the upper helm, and well-considered systems that a couple can handle with confidence.