Hylas vs Oyster

[Capt. Nemo]

My wife and I will be likely to choose one day between a pre-owned Hylas 54 and a pre-owned Oyster 54. We are approaching our so called retirement (God do I hate that word, makes you old), we will live on this thing for the first year and travel mostly the Eastern US seaboard and the Carribean.
We know that Hylas will be cheaper, on the other hand Oyster has very attractive interior and is a bit of a class in itself. Can someone please give us their advice? Could somebody break down their comparison into specific pros and cons? Cheers!

[bstreep]

Wow. That's a difficult choice. "Mercedes or Rolls Royce"... Hmm.

Really, they are both just outstanding boats. We looked LONG and hard at several Hylas boats before buying our boat. It is one of my all time favorite boats.

[David M]

Both are excellent manufacturers. Sorry I can't be more specific.

[savoir]

Halberg Rassy also make a comparable boat.

These types of boats are mostly in mast furlers which may or or may not be a live issue.

[Jon D]

As said above can't go wrong either way but if money not a factor and you like the Oyster better.. go for it. As you said they are in a class by themselves. We looked at several before buying the Moody but in my case the money did matter.

[Richard Jordan]

Did you mean an Oyster 53 or 55? I must be lost, but I did not pull up anything searching for Oyster 54.
One thing for sure there are fewer pre-owned Oysters than Hyli in the USA (though more worldwide).
At some point it is not a matter of model but finding the individual yacht in the condition and with the equipment you want...good luck!

[Cheechako]

I would have your paid skipper and crew vote on it too............you DO have them dont you?? :>) I'm just jealous!

[Capt. Nemo]

You've got the wrong picture. I'm my own skipper and repairman.

[Richard Jordan]

Ah, here it is: Oyster Marine | Fleet | 54 | Overview

When did the 54 come out? Never seen one of these...there is a H56 that has similar wraparound salon windows and might be a better comparable than the H54's.

[Mimsy]

Either is a great choice- I say look for both and buy the one in the best condition at the most reasonable price and enjoy.

[Hannah on 'Rita T']

Aside from the cost, either is a lot of boat for a couple to handle. Jammed jib at 3 a.m. in a blow?

[MarkJ]

I recently had a fair bit of leisure time on an Oyster 65.
The skipper always works on Oysters and knows them pretty well.
One thing he mentioned to me that I did not know was the interior can be expensive or comparartiuvly cheap.
that particular Oyster was one of the cheaper fitouts. The cabinetry in the heads was about the standard of my Benteau saloon cabinets. i.e nothing too flash.
The dining table was matt, not inlaid etc... the owers didn't mind that as they always use table cloths anyway.

So you may want to have a close look and see what the fit out is like and value it accordinly.

I love Oysters. Fine boats. I haven't been on a Hylas so can't compare... but the Hylas ads in Cruising World always seem to be the same, but Oyset always seems to be bringing out enhanced models.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Hannah on 'Rita T'

Jammed jib at 3 a.m. in a blow?

Oyster repair man gets parachuted in, I think.





He brings the Visa Card machine too

[goboatingnow]

Oyster is made in the Uk, Hylas is made in the far east....

Dave

[Pblais]

At some point it is not a matter of model but finding the individual yacht in the condition and with the equipment you want...good luck!

Buying a brand name is not as wise as buying a boat. Cast a wide net and look at alternatives that are actually for sale when you are ready, have some money and perhaps a better understanding about the issues with all boats. There is little if no protection in brand names alone. While we might argue the merits of two lines of boats you are only going to buy one not the whole company. There are far more and better boats that will never be for sale so get over it. Just try and find the best boat for your money. It's OK to have more money. You should clearly understand what other real boats are for sale at the time. Comparing mythical boats not for sale is an endless argument. It's far easier to walk on two boats and look it over add up the merits and see for yourself what the better boat and better deal really is.