The design later became the Hylas 45.5 when a swim-step transom was added to the same hull. The new Hylas 46 replaced both models in 1996. Along with its larger 47 sister, the 44 formed the backbone of the Caribbean Yacht Charter fleet in the late 1980s and 1990s. Several hulls have since circled the globe, including one by way of Cape Horn.
Design and Construction
Frers gave the Hylas 44 a comparatively low-slung deck line and subtle sheer, although the cabin trunk looks a little boxy. The hull has a clean entry and deep forefoot, deliberately avoiding the flattened forward sections that would later make the newer 46 much roomier up front. Below the waterline, the boat carries a relatively long fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder.
Displacement is just over 22,000 pounds, with more than 11,000 pounds of lead ballast mounted as a shoe on the keel stub. That produces a ballast-to-displacement ratio of nearly 50 percent and helps explain the boat’s noted stiffness.
The hull is heavily laid-up fiberglass, reinforced by full-length foam longitudinal stringers that also encapsulate the bulkheads. The deck is cored with either Airex or balsa. The hull-and-deck joint uses a standard inward flange with through-bolts and chemical bonding. Set on 6-inch centers, the bolts also secure the aluminum toerail.
Bulkheads and furniture facings are securely tabbed to the hull, and there is no molded liner—a structure that has proven itself at sea.
Rig and Sail Handling
The simple masthead sloop rig uses a keel-stepped solid mast, with an air draft of 60 feet and 866 square feet of working sail. Most boats are set up without runners.
The sail-handling arrangement suits short-handed crews. Winches are well placed and easy to reach from the helm, while most controls lead aft. The mainsheet traveler sits behind the helm, allowing efficient end-boom sheeting. Altogether, the 44 isn’t a chore to singlehand.
Visibility from the helm is superb, but the cockpit is small. Its seat coamings press against the small of the back, and the bridgedeck is barely more than a lip. In rough weather, that makes a good spray dodger important, with the washboards kept close at hand.
Sailing and Motoring
At sea, the Hylas 44 handles very well. It is close-winded for a cruiser and tracks well, without pounding upwind in sloppy seas or making excessive leeway. It can, however, be wet on that point of sail.
The boat takes large following seas with ease and heaves-to efficiently in heavy weather. Under power, the efficient hull shape delivers 6-plus knots without much over 2,000 rpm. With 110 gallons carried in two stainless tanks, realistic motoring range extends beyond 500 miles. The boat also handles well under engine.
Accommodations
Frers was among the first to use a double walkthrough arrangement, allowing entry to the aft cabin from either side—through the galley or the aft head.
The galley occupies the starboard walkthrough. Its double sinks are mounted beneath the cockpit on a console that also covers the engine. Opposite are huge refrigeration and freezer compartments, along with ample counter space.
The navigation station opposite has a good chart table, room for repeaters, and a comfortable seat. Just behind it, the aft head has two doors and provides access to the cabin. The aft stateroom itself is a wonderful retreat, with abundant drawers, lockers, hanging space, and access from both sides.
In the saloon, an L-shaped settee sits to port with a straight settee opposite. The space isn’t huge, and water or fuel tanks beneath the settees limit storage. A second head is located to port; neither head has a dedicated shower stall. The forward cabin was offered with either an offset double or a V-berth.
Joinerwork throughout is excellent, and the boat is beautifully appointed. Teak and mica create a warm interior without making it dark. Hatches and opening portlights provide excellent ventilation, while well-placed teak handrails run along the trunkhouse.
Outside, the wide side decks make it easy to move around the boat, although the molded nonskid can become slick when wet.
Known Issues
The push-pull steering cables often used in center-cockpit layouts are prone to corrosion over time. The internal chainplates are also vulnerable to crevice corrosion.
Overhead hatches and portlights have a notorious tendency to leak, and the mast partners provide another potential leak path.
Engine access is poor because the machinery sits beneath the sinks. Its location also makes repowering a major undertaking. Most boats offered for sale have very high engine hours.
The Verdict
The Hylas 44 is a seriously built Frers cruiser with offshore credentials, a sensible interior, and sea-kindly manners. Its sea-kindly manners suit a couple or a charter career. Its weaknesses center on machinery access, weather tightness, and several corrosion-prone fittings, all of which reward a careful survey.
Pros
- Proven offshore, with several circumnavigations, including one by way of Cape Horn
- Nearly 50-percent ballast ratio and a stiff hull that tracks well
- Double-walkthrough aft cabin and excellent joinerwork
- Short-handed-friendly sail plan with most controls led aft
Cons
- Poor engine access and a costly, difficult repower
- Leak-prone hatches, portlights, and mast partners
- Corrosion-prone steering cables and internal chainplates
- Small cockpit and limited saloon storage
