your thoughts on a mid 80's Hylas 44
 

Hello all, been lurking for the last few years. I have found as my age grows so does my desire to go sailing........ maybe for a year or so in the Caribbean. I'm getting closer to that goal :cool: .
Looking at sloop rigged monohull's as a good boat for the venture and Hylas has caught my attention. Any thoughts or insight yall?

Thanks

Yup...chartered one in the VI's a couple of times and they are excellent sloops. The trick will be to find one that has not been beat up with heavy engine use from prior charter work. The 46 is a beautiful boat too...and a bit newer but he same charter issues. Great boats and initial build quality. You can go anywhere in one.

Cam,
Are you saying that all the Hylas 44s and 46s are ex charter boats ?

No, Its my uinderstanding that the majority of Hylas 46's went to private owners. Quite a few 44's went to private owners as well. I think that Cam's point is to be careful to researech the boat history and if there are high useage numbers on the diesel, and blown out sails, make sure that your offer includes sufficient leeway to allow for an engine rebuild, deck hardware replacement, and sail replacements.

Jeff

Exactly right Jeff...though more than a fair number went directly into charter as Dick Jachney was both the US Hylas distributor and the owner of CYC yacht charters out of St. Thomas which exclusively used Hylas boats. Since the OP name is SAILUSVI I figured there's more than a fair chance that he is looking at one of those boats!
In addition to the things Jeff mentioned...I'd make darn sure the keel & attachment is solid as well as there were some reefs along the entrance to their Red Hook base...(don't ask how I know!...I wasn't always this perfect!)

I hope that was with a charter boat, and not Camraderie... ;)

Thanks for the input....

This one is the ticket
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...ck&searchtype=

SD..No...actually it was a charter Hylas46...brand new and owned by the Prez of Yale University. We were the first charterers on the boat! No real damage except to my ego!

That's good... some one had to ding up the boat sometime... :D

One thing that would be a deal killer for me on that particular boat is the galley in the passageway. Galley's put out a lot of heat and moisture and passageways tend to be confined and poorly ventilated. I consider a nearby overhead hatch a necessity. This also exiles the cook out of the living area and requires foot to be carried up a step as in tripping hazzard.

Jeff