Queen Long Marine builds the boat in Taiwan. Its solid, hand-laid fiberglass hull, balsa-cored deck, and well-integrated systems helped it earn recognition in SAIL’s 2019 Best Boats contest.
Design and Construction
The hull is hand-laid solid fiberglass using vinylester resin and an isophthalic gelcoat. Below the waterline, two layers of epoxy barrier coat guard against blisters. A lead fin keel and a rudder mounted on a partial skeg provide the boat’s offshore backbone, while watertight bulkheads at the bow and stern offer additional peace of mind for long-distance cruisers.
The deck is also hand laid, but with a balsa core. Inside, rounded edges and corners contribute to a carefully finished interior. Hylas added three inches of draft to Dixon’s original keel to make the boat less tender, showing the builder’s willingness to refine the design for seakeeping rather than simply repeat it.
Above the waterline, the bow is slightly raked rather than blunt. One review described the reverse transom as a sugar scoop, with steps for boarding from a dinghy and an integrated small swim platform. At the bow, a solid stainless-steel stem fitting carries double anchor rollers, and large stainless plates protect the deck from damage caused by the anchor chain.
For security when working on deck in open water, the Hylas 48 has 30-inch stanchions, hip-high lifelines, and deck padeyes for jacklines.
Rig, Sail Plan, and Handling
The standard Seldén masthead rig has slightly swept spreaders and comes with a choice of air draft: 67 feet 6 inches or a shorter 63-foot mast for crews planning to transit the ICW.
The versatile cutter configuration combines a self-tacking jib for sailing upwind with a genoa set farther forward for light air or off-wind work. A deck plate forward also incorporates a staysail fitting with a manual Furlex furler for tougher conditions.
Electric Antal winches and Spinlock rope clutches place all sail controls beside the wheel. Push-button reefing, in-mast furling, and a Furlex electric genoa furler allow two people to manage the generous sail plan without drama.
Under sail, the Hylas 48 behaves like a heavier-displacement cruiser in the best sense. Test sailors described its motion as very stiff, in a good way. In roughly 8 knots of breeze, it tacked upwind at 5.7 knots, pinching to 35 degrees and still making 4 knots when the wind briefly rose to 10 knots.
On flat water under power, the 75-horsepower turbocharged Yanmar diesel and saildrive produced 8.1 knots at 2,400 rpm and a top speed of 8.9 knots at 3,100 rpm. Because the saildrive sits farther aft than a straight shaft would, it opens space forward and reduces vibration. Jefa rod steering helps this substantial hull remain agile through wakes.
Accommodations
Below, the Hylas 48 has a deck-saloon layout. Wraparound coachroof windows and large, semi-raised pilothouse-style glazing fill the interior with light and provide panoramic views. Rich teak cabinetry, bulkheads, and furniture contrast with the white composite cabin top, while a teak-and-holly sole adds warmth underfoot.
The raised saloon sole improves the view for seated crew and leaves room for tankage and machinery low in the hull. A large dining table dominates the saloon, with U-shaped seating to port and a curved settee opposite. The navigation station and electrical panel are aft.
The standard layout has two staterooms and two heads. A third compartment can be added forward to port and fitted with over-under bunks, a desk, or arranged as a utility space.
The aft master cabin has a walkaround split berth that can accept a lee cloth, his-and-hers overhead hatches, and an ensuite head with a large shower stall. Forward, the guest cabin has an island queen berth, with a second head to starboard.
The passageway galley runs along both sides and provides abundant counter space. Equipment includes a three-burner Force 10 stove and oven, refrigeration drawers, and a top-and-front-opening fridge and freezer. Deep fiddles line the counters. Buyers could choose teak, light oak, or maple joinery, along with raised-panel, smooth, or louvered locker treatments.
Systems and Ownership Notes
The 24-volt house system uses AGM batteries: four house cells, two batteries for starting the engine and genset, and two for the windlass. A 7kW Northern Lights genset sits forward of the engine, which is supplied through a dual Racor fuel-filtration setup.
The wiring and plumbing are well laid out, color coded, and accessible—the sort of practical detail that matters to owners living aboard. The companionway angles slightly so that it ends closer to the engine. This improves the approach to that area but makes the companionway somewhat steep.
Because the Hylas 48 was offered on a semi-custom basis, buyers could specify modifications that gave individual boats a distinct character.
Verdict
The Hylas 48 is a thoughtfully engineered ocean cruiser. It combines a solid, blister-protected hull with a manageable cutter rig and a bright, traditional deck-saloon interior. Its semi-custom origins and recognized systems work make it a compelling option for serious cruising couples, although the steep companionway and moderate beam involve trade-offs.
Pros
- Solid, hand-laid hull with an epoxy barrier coat and watertight bulkheads at both ends
- Cutter rig with a self-tacking jib and electric furling controlled from the wheel
- Bright deck-saloon interior with a flexible third-cabin option
- Saildrive and rod steering help keep the boat quiet and agile
Cons
- Companionway angles steeply toward the engine
- Moderate beam limits some interior volume compared with wider contemporaries
