Hylas 42 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the brokerage market for a Hylas 42 means chasing one of the scarcer Frers-designed cruisers afloat, with only 22 built between 1985 and 1990 and the production run now closed. These aft-cockpit sloops were constructed in Taiwan by Queen Long Marine for Hylas Yachts USA, and the solid-fiberglass construction and lead-keel configuration invite straightforward structural assessment. A buyer entering this market should expect to evaluate a small, dispersed fleet rather than a steady stream of listings.
Layouts on the Used Market
Every Hylas 42 shares the same aft-cockpit configuration that sets it apart from the center-cockpit Hylas 44 of the same era. The salon follows a traditional straight-settee arrangement rather than the wraparound lounge style some later cruisers adopted, and the aft stateroom places a centerline queen berth where Practical Sailor noted strong offshore credentials. With a 13-foot beam and 33.5-foot waterline, the interior reads as a performance cruiser's accommodation: roomy enough for extended voyaging but not engineered to maximize volume at the expense of the "racy" hull form.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
Well-equipped examples on the used market commonly carry a chartplotter, autopilot, AIS, radar, and inverter as standard navigation and power-management gear, often paired with a liferaft and EPIRB for offshore readiness. Sail-handling and shelter upgrades typically include a bimini, dodger, and dinghy davits, with spinnaker or asymmetric spinnaker often found for downwind work. Energy independence is a common theme: solar and lithium batteries appear frequently, and a watermaker is a usual fitting for blue-water intent. Less common but seen as owner upgrades are heating, hot water, teak decks, and a cockpit shower, while a washing machine and freezer suggest a heavily cruised specimen.
What to Inspect
Some owners have discussed the unorthodox cockpit design of the Hylas 42 anchor, so a close look at cockpit ergonomics and drainage should be part of any survey. One owner reported the teak decking in the cockpit as the only area not in great condition, making teak cockpit surfaces a focal point for wear, fastener integrity, and potential core issues beneath. Otherwise, the solid-fiberglass hull and lead keels invite the usual structural inspection rather than exotic materials testing.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The Hylas 42 typically appears in the United States and Grenada. For a buyer, the checklist is short and specific: confirm keel type (deep 7-foot or shoal 6-foot 2-inch lead fin), inspect cockpit teak and the unorthodox layout for wear or modification, verify the navigation and offshore safety suite is intact, and assess lithium or solar upgrades as indicators of serious cruising use. A rare Frers aft-cockpit sloop worthy of the "Swan in disguise" label, the 42 rewards the patient shopper who values performance over production volume.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Hylas 42. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 25 | 1 | $94,500 | — |
| Apr 26 | 5 | $94,500 | 0.0% |
Where they're listed
Hylas 42 listings appear across 2 countries. United States has the most listings with 3 (60.0%), followed by Grenada.
Country view
5 listings · 2 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $94,500 | 3 | 0 | 60.0% |
| Grenada | $79,000 | 2 | 0 | 40.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
9 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First First 42 | 42.92' | $ 49,500 | 24 | 6 |
| Sabre 42 | 41.75' | $ 89,000 | 21 | 7 |
| Palmer Johnson J/42 | 42' | $ 151,950 | 18 | 3 |
| Tartan 42 | 42' | $ 89,000 | 13 | 11 |
| Hylas 51 | 51' | $ 167,000 | 8 | 3 |
| Oyster Yachts 42 | 41.83' | $ 201,608 | 7 | 2 |
| Morgan 42-2 | 42' | $ 23,000 | 7 | 4 |
| Baltic 42 | 42.43' | $ 77,625 | 6 | 1 |
| Hylas 42You are here | — | $ 94,500 | 5 | 0 |