The new semi-custom Hylas H48 made her world premiere at the Newport International Boat Show and the United States Sailboat Show Annapolis in September and October.
“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.”
Hylas worked with 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.
Reason 1. Hylas H48: the cockpit
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.
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.
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 semi-custom Hylas 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.
Reason 2. Hylas H48: the hull
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 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 improves 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 ambiance 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.
Reason 3. The semi-custom interiors
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 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 semi-custom Hylas 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 craftsmen 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 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 for full access. Lockers and cabinets offer a large volume of stowage.