Advice on Hylas 44

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the lloyds

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We are considering a Hylas 44 , to use for extended cruising. It is 1991 so bit of age. Obviously certain works would be required. Does anyone have experience of the brand or comments on what to look for in particular for this boat.

They were made by Queen Long Marine [Far East] which may be agood or bad thing. We have just spent the last 4 years upgrading and improving a jeanneau 40 from 2002. Would this be a move for the better? We are looking for something suitable for blue water stuff.

Previous owners did a lot in 2005 and took it in the Arc, but a lot would need doing I am sure. Opinions on Hylas generally?
 
When looking for a boat we came across a Hylas 48. We all fell in love with her but the cabin layout meant she was unsuitable. We looked at many different ways to change it as everything else was ideal. The craftsmanship seemed top notch and the building yard had an excellent reputation.
I would suggest putting a post on one of the American sites as there is a lot more of them over there. I know a lot were used for charter but they are far more widely known and used over there and have a very good reputation as a good seaworthy boat.
Hope this helps.
 
American market

I sailed on one of these in Hong Kong in the 1980s, and I thought it was fantastic, but at the time my terms of reference were a bit different. They were built for the US market, so ask on one of the American fora. The yard was said to be really good - not all Taiwanese builders had great reps at the time. Certainly seemed quick and comfy to me, IIRC a queen sized island berth aft which was unimaginable in my boating experience....

And aircon! I didnt have that in my flat. . .
Graham
 
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We've just come back from almost a month on board a Hylas 44 of the same vintage in the Caribbean. Not our boat, but kindly lent to us. Our own boat is a Malo, also from 1991.

Based on my experience (and comparison with my Malo) my thoughts are:


Pros:
Very solidly built. Rugged. Strong.
Well engineered and specified deck gear.
Excellent galley space and refrigeration volume.
Large aft cabin with lots of storage space.
Good capacity on water and fuel.
Excellent engine room space and room for generator/air conditioner
Joinery solid even if not to the same standards as Scandanavian boatbuilders
Well laid out and specified electrical switchboard gear.


Cons:
Boom just too high to manage mainsail without perching precariously on granny bars
Anchor chain needs to be manually flaked down - no deck access - hatch from forepeak cabin.
Cockpit coamings uncomfortably angled and just too low to lean back against - a minor point but one that might niggle with long term living aboard.
Limited deck storage volume and less below decks than might be expected.
High freeboard - makes getting dinghy/outboard on and off something of an athletic feat



I would very happily go blue water sailing on one and feel completely comfortable in the security of a solid, reliable and proven vessel.

James
 
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