Design and Construction
Frers gave the 44 a comparably low-slung deck line and a subtle sheer, though the cabintrunk reads a bit boxy. The hull carries a clean entry with a deep forefoot, deliberately avoiding the flattened forward sections that would later make the newer 46 far roomier up front. Beneath the waterline, a fin keel runs on the long side and the rudder is skeg hung. Displacement sits just over 22,000 pounds with more than 11,000 pounds of lead ballast mounted as a shoe on the keel stub, translating into a nearly 50-percent ballast-to-displacement ratio that explains the boat's noted stiffness.
The hull itself is heavily laid up fiberglass, braced by full-length foam longitudinal stringers that also encapsulate the bulkheads. The deck is cored with either Airex or balsa, while the hull-and-deck joint follows the standard inward flange with through-bolts and chemical bonding, the bolts set on 6-inch centers and doubling to tie down the aluminum toerail. Bulkheads and furniture facings are securely tabbed to the hull, and there is no molded liner in sight—a structure that has proven itself at sea.
Rig and Handling
The simple masthead sloop rig stands on 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. Sail handling favors the short-handed sailor: winches are well placed and easy to reach from the helm, the mainsheet traveler sits aft of the helm for end-boom sheeting efficiency, and most controls lead aft, so the 44 is not a chore to singlehand. Visibility from the helm is superb despite a small cockpit whose seat coamings strike the small of the back and whose bridgedeck is barely a lip, demanding a good spray dodger and washboards kept handy in rough weather.
At sea the boat handles very well. It is close-winded for a cruiser and tracks well without pounding upwind in sloppy seas or making excessive leeway, though it can be wet on that point of sail. Large following seas are taken with ease, and in heavy weather it heaves-to efficiently. Under power the efficient hull shape carries 6-plus knots without much over 2,000 rpm, giving a realistic motoring range beyond 500 miles from 110 gallons in two stainless tanks, and the boat handles well on the engine.
Accommodations
Frers was among the first to use a double walkthrough arrangement, letting the aft cabin be entered from either side—through the galley or the aft head. The galley lies to starboard in the walkthrough, its double sinks mounted under the cockpit on a console that also covers the engine; opposite sit huge refrigeration and freezer compartments with ample counter space. The navigation station opposite features a good chart table, repeater space, and a comfortable seat, while just behind it the aft head offers two doors and cabin access. That aft stateroom is a wonderful retreat with abundant drawers, lockers, and hanging space.
Forward, the saloon holds an L-shaped settee to port and a straight one opposite, though it is not huge and storage is limited by water or fuel tanks beneath the settees. Another head sits to port, and neither head has a dedicated shower stall. The forward cabin came with either an offset double or a V-berth. Throughout, the joinerwork is excellent and the boat beautifully appointed, blending teak and mica for a warm feel without darkness. Ventilation is excellent via hatches and opening portlights, and well-placed teak handrails run the trunkhouse. Moving around the wide side decks is a pleasure, though the molded nonskid can be slick when wet.
Known Issues
The push-pull steering cables favored in center-cockpit layouts are prone to corrosion over time. Overhead hatches and portlights have a notorious habit of sprouting leaks, and the mast partners are a potential leak path. Internal chainplates carry vulnerability to crevice corrosion. On the machinery side, engine access is poor—situated below the sinks—and because of the engine's location, repowering is a major undertaking. Most boats offered for sale show 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 that suit a couple or a charter career. Its weaknesses are concentrated in access, weather tightness, and a few corrosion-prone fittings that reward a careful survey.
Pros
- Proven offshore with circumnavigations including Cape Horn
- Nearly 50-percent ballast ratio and stiff, track-well hull
- Double walkthrough aft cabin and excellent joinerwork
- Short-handed-friendly sail plan with controls led aft
Cons
- Poor engine access and costly repower
- Leak-prone hatches, portlights, and mast partners
- Corrosion-prone steering cables and internal chainplates
- Small cockpit and limited saloon storage
