The new Hylas H48 Hits the Road ahead of Her Debut in Newport and Annapolis

The new Hylas H48 is on her way. The latest build from Hylas Yachts has departed Queen Long Marine in Taiwan and will make 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 American sailors as well as those around the world, and to enhance and continue its reputation for building offshore performance cruising yachts that appeal to blue water sailors. Hylas worked with Bill Dixon of Dixon Yacht Design to achieve this mix of comfort, style, and utility in a 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 Hylas H48 offers a spacious and comfortable alternative to Hylas’s legacy models.

“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. “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 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 oceangoing 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 Hylas 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.

Hylas H48: easy sailing

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 ab. Constructed of solid hand-laid fiberglass isophthalic gelcoat, the Hylas H48 has solid lead fin keel, and a sturdy semi-skegged rudder, which combines strength and performance. Additionally Hylas has incorporated a saildrive, which improve the 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 Hylas H48 uses large windows to create an open and airy- feeling semi-raised saloon, building on the ambience created by Bill Dixon’s design. 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.

Hylas H48: the interiors

Below decks, there are two- or three-stateroom layouts available, both with two large heads/ 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 desk and 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 Hylas 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 passageway to the owner’s stateroom ab, 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 for full access. Lockers and cabinets offer a large volume of stowage.