The new Hylas H48 made her world premiere at the Newport International Boatshow, and at the US sailboat show Annapolis. 

The  latest  build  from  Hylas  Yachts  was  delivered  from Queen  Long  Marine  in  Taiwan  and made her  world  premiere  at  the  Newport  International  Boat  Show  and  the  United  States  Sailboat  Show  Annapolis,  in  September  and  October  respectively.  

Hylas  Yachts  introduces  the  H48  to  sailors  around  the  world,  and  to  enhance  and  continue  its  legendary  reputation  for  building  offshore  performance  cruising  yachts  that  appeal  to  blue  water  sailors.  

Hylas  worked  with  esteemed  designer  Bill  Dixon  of  Dixon  Yacht  Design  to  achieve  this  mix  of  comfort,  style,  and  utility  in  a semi-custom blue  water  cruising  yacht  under  50  feet  LOA.  Designed  to  appeal  to  couples  and  families  who  wish  to  answer  the  siren  call  of  true  offshore  sailing  or  to  give  accomplished  yachtsmen  a  way  to  upgrade  their  experience,  the  new  H48  offers  a  spacious  and  comfortable  evolution  from Hylas’s  legacy  models  while  taking  sailing  simplicity  to  a  new  level.

“Accomplished  sailors  have  long  sought  out  Hylas  Yachts  for  boats  designed  and  built  for  comfort  and  performance  on  long  ocean  passages,”says  Andy  Huang,  CEO  of  Hylas  Yachts to Yachting Art Magazine.  “The  H48  continues  that  tradition  of  blue  water  performance,  making  the  most  of  her  volume  while  allowing  her  to  be  managed  easily  by  a  couple.”

Dixon’s  design  stays  true  to  the  builder’s  mission  to  create  semi-custom ocean-ready  cruising  boats  with  a  focus  on  simple  sailing  and  interior  comfort.  

“The  H48  uses  some  elements  from  the  proven  quiver  of  Hylas  attributes,  including  true  ocean going  capability,  the  center  cockpit,  the  large  windows,  and  the  swim  platform,”  Dixon  says.  “But  this  model  changes  the  flow  on  board,  whether  the  owners  and  guests  are  moving  about  the  spacious  decks  or  relaxing  together  in  the  bright  saloon,  making  the  most  of  the  onboard  volume  while  factoring  in  the  need  for  human-size  spaces.”  

Hylas  Yachts  and  Dixon  also  worked  together  on  the  recently  introduced  design  for  the  new  H57  of  which  a  number  have  already  been  sold  off-plan.For  the  H48,  the  security  of  the  deep  center  cockpit  makes  it  the  ideal  on-deck  gathering  place  for  skipper  and  guests,  with  space  for  lounging  and  conversation.  Wrap-around  cushioned  seating  is  served  by  a  centerline  drop-leaf  table  forward  of  the  centerline  helm  station.

Control  of  the  yacht  is  centralized  in  the  cockpit,  thanks  to  a  powerful  sail  plan  that’s  easily  managed,  with  an  optional  self-tacking  jib  on  the  inner  forestay  of  the  cutter  rig,  and  use  of  only  primary  winches,  which  helps  keeps  deck  spaces  clear  and  uncluttered  of  unnecessary  lines  and  with  thoughtful  considerations  such  as  shrouds  that  don’t  interfere  with  the  wide  side  decks.  

The  design  allows  for  safe  movement  fore  and  aft,  both  for  the  work  of  sailing  the  boat  and  relaxing  at  sea  or  at  anchor.  Wide  transom  steps  lead  to  a  swim  platform  within  the  scoop  transom.

“Sailors  looking  to  take  the  next  step  and  feel  the  exhilaration  of  crossing  oceans  have  found  their  boat,”  says  Kevin  Wensley,  Sales  Manager  at  Hylas  Yachts’  Miami  Beach  sales  office.  “She’s  spacious,  a  fun  and  easy  sail,  and  takes  advantage  of  today’s  technology  - it  won’t  take  long  to  become  familiar  with  her  handling  characteristics  and  enjoy  the  longest  passages  in  comfort  and  safety.”

To  make  the  most  of  her  length  overall  of  48  feet,  Hylas  and  Dixon  have  created  a  hull  with  abundant  volume,  thanks  to  a  14-foot,  6-inch  beam  that  carries  well  aft.  Constructed  of  solid  hand-laid  fiberglass with isophthalic  gelcoat,  the  H48  has  solid  lead  fin  keel,  and  a  sturdy  semi-skegged  rudder,  which  combines  strength  and  performance.  Additionally, Hylas  has  incorporated  a  saildrive,  which  improvesthe  positioning  of  the  engine  within  the  hull,  reduces  the  amount  of  space  required, and  also  helps  to  further  reduce  vibration  under  power.

That  hull  volume  is  put  to  good  use,  as  the  H48  uses  large  windows  to  create  an  open  and  airy-feeling  semi-raised  saloon,  building  on  the  ambience  created  by  Bill  Dixon’s  design.  

Unlike  many  builders,  Hylas  Yachts  encourages  a  high  degree  of  customization  within  the  design,  so  prospective  owners  should  feel  free  to  ask  about  creative  solutions  to  configure  the  boat  to  fulfill  their  needs.  Of  course,  finishes  and  trim  can  be  selected  for  as  sleek  or  as  traditional  a  look  as  desired. Uniquely  for  yachting  in  this  class,  every  Hylas  is  a  true  semi-custom  built  yacht,  offering  endless  possibilities  for  customization  to  fulfill  the  exacting  requirements  of  their  owners.  

The  H48 offers the  choice  of  two-or  three-stateroom layouts,  both  with  two  large  head/shower  compartments. The  owner’s  stateroom  has  excellent  headroom  in  its  aft  position,  fully  benefiting  from  the  center  cockpit  design.  The  berth  is  accessible  all  around,  with  a  settee  to  starboard  and  a  combination  deskand  dressing  table  is  to  port.  

Portlights  aft  and  to  either  side  open  for  ventilation  and  natural  light.  A  private  head  has  locker  space  and  a  separate  shower. The  bow  guest  stateroom  has  the  same  high  level  of  finish  and  shares  the  second  head  compartment  with  the  saloon  and  the  optional  third  stateroom.  All  accommodations  feature  ample  hanging  lockers.The  spacious  saloon  of  the  H48  is  the  center  of  the  action  in  the  lower-deck  accommodations,  with  a  large  settee  wrapping  around  a  dining  table  to  port,with  a  luxurious  upholstered  lounge  to  starboard,  all  arrayed  beneath  the  large  semi-raised  saloon  windows.

Moveable  upholstered  stools  create  flexible  seating  around  the  table.  A  full  nav  station  has  a  forward-facing  seat  and  is  equipped  with  a  large  chart  table,  owner’s  choice  of  repeater  electronics,  and,  true  to  the  H48’s  blue  water  heritage,  unhindered  access  to  the  wiring harness  and  breakers.  

The  experienced  craftsman  at  Hylas  Yachts  are  world-renowned  for  creating  finely  finished  interiors,  and  the beauty  is  more  than  skin  deep:  the  mechanical  spaces  no  one  sees  are  finished  to  the  same  level.

The  teak-and-holly  sole  has  seven  coats  of  varnish  and  is  affixed  to  a  subdeck  with  an  epoxy  urethane  coating. The  galley  serves  as  the  passage way  to  the  owner’s  stateroom  aft,  and  the  design  makes  the  most  of  its  elongated  space  by  allowing  the  cook  to  brace  effectively  on  either  tack.

Appliances  including  a  three-burner  propane  cooktop,  refrigerator/freezer  boxes  that  open  from  both  the  front  and  the  top  forfull  access.  Lockers  and  cabinets  offer  a  large  volume  of  stowage.

Hylas  Yachts  H48 specifications

LOA:  48’0”-14.63  m - Length  of  Waterline:  42’0”-12.80  m - Beam:  14’6”  -4.42  m - Shoal  Draft:  4’11”  -1.5  m - Standard  Draft:  6’6”  -1.98  m - Displacement:  35,360  lb.  -16,039  kg - Water  Tankage:  119  US  gal.  -451  liters - Fuel  Tankage:  290  US  gal.  -1,100  liters - Engine:  Yanmar,  75-hp  diesel  – saildrive  gearbox - Designer:  Bill  Dixon - CE  Certification:  Category  A  - Ocean