42 Hylas for offshore cruising?

[VickiW]

Anyone out there have any offshore experience with the Hylas 42 aft cockpit (mid eighties vintage) sailboat? Looking for a safe cruiser for a family of 4 and we are considering this model. Price is reasonable, and Hylas has a good rep, not sure about the spade rudder on this model.

[Don C L]

I have no experience with Hylas though I’ve heard good things about them. But if you go to bluewaterboats.org/hylas44/ they have a write-up of the 44 that may be helpful. Good luck!
Welcome aboard by the way!

[wingssail]

Originally Posted by VickiW

Anyone out there have any offshore experience with the Hylas 42 aft cockpit (mid eighties vintage) sailboat? Looking for a safe cruiser for a family of 4 and we are considering this model. Price is reasonable, and Hylas has a good rep, not sure about the spade rudder on this model.

I have some experience with one of these, in fact I helped commission the very first one imported to the US back in the early 90's. My friend owned it. We sailed it in Seattle. I fitted some sails for him. He later took it to Mexico and we were together there.

This is a very well designed and well built sailboat. German Frers is one of the best. I have no worries about the spade rudder; it is strong and powerful.

Hylas is a great yard.

However, this is a small boat for 42 ft. The tankage is marginal and there were several tiny tanks in the one I knew. The storage areas are small.

The bridge deck between the main hatch and the cockpit adds a level of exposure in heavy weather that some people find intimidating, similar to many Swans. Adding a dodger is complicated, bimini nearly impossible.

This is a great boat for a confident couple but it is going to be a tight fit for 4 persons and new sailors would be advised to spend some time getting used to it before setting out across an ocean.

[TheOffice]

We love our 44. Build quality is amazing! Never sailed the 42.

[VickiW]

Thanks for your comments! After some additional thought we came to the same conclusions, so it’s good to hear others reflect the same sentiments. I think we will keep looking, yacht world has a couple bob perry designed Lafitte 44’s for sale with recent refits that might fit our needs better

[Lowcountry]

Hylas made some great boats. If you're interested in other ocean-going sailboats in that size range, look into the Mason 44. Built by Ta Shing, those things are like Bermuda 40's on steroids. I loved mine while I had it.