Hylas 49

[Mimsy]

Anyone sailed one? What did you think of the performance? How easy is it to handle short handed?


This is the first boat both the husband and I like at first glance. No, we aren't planning on changing boats now but if we decide to change boats in 3-4 years that will impact some of our refitting decisions.
Thanks!

[jordanship]

I saw your thread on Anything Sailing. The internet is an amazing place, eh? You will get a lot of people saying "sailed one, it was 100% perfection." The 47/49 has a cult following. I think you (and anyone else out there) would enjoy this story about the first 49.

The 49 is smooth performance wise. She has a more classic hull shape than the Frers designs for a real comfortable ride. She is safe, easy to single hand especially with electric furling. Points high. Docking is tricky alone without a thruster. But she is basically a 30 year old Sparkman & Stephens design, so her underbody is outdated, specifically the long keel with extra whetted surface. I have heard 54 owners derisively call 49's slow. The Frers designs are faster. But for serious, long distance offshore sailing, I will trade speed for comfort. Depends on where on this blue planet you dream to go?

Have a great day.

[fricchione]

I own Hylas 49 #57. Took delivery in late 2007. The S&S underbody is what sold me (nice sea motion) but the boat is very modern in its construction and in materials (Tworon hull if you want it).

I wanted a boat that did not pound and despite what people say about the 54 being too big to pound, I believe any flat bottomed, fin keeled boat will.
The Frer's designs are faster, but its a nice cruising boat and not slow by any measure.

My wife and I usually sail it and its easy with electric winches to sail it with just us.

Let me know if you need any other information. I was there in Taiwan to see it built so I can tell you about its construction and have lots of pictures of the process.

Rick
Hylas 49-057
Black Diamond
Portsmouth, RI.

[Mimsy]

Thanks for the opinions!
Rick, what was your experience with the factory? I'm just now not really impressed as I requested information a month ago and still have not received a thing!

Edited to add: We are planning on the Bahamas and after that- well, it depends on how the crew as a whole feels. It might be that we just head over to Europe (where we will live full time) or we might go- elsewhere. Not to definitive on our plans just now. We plan on reevaluating out current boat after a year of cruising but if we do think we want to move up, that will impact some of our refit choices.