Hylas Yachts, based in Marblehead, Massachusetts, offered both standard-deck and raised-saloon versions. According to the builder’s president, the raised-saloon model outsold the standard layout by three to one. Buyers ordering a new hull faced a 12- to 14-month wait.
Design and Construction
The 54 has a solid fiberglass hull reinforced with Twaron, a carbon aramid fiber. Queen Long used vinylester resin throughout the molding process, while isophthalic gelcoat and two epoxy barrier coats protect against osmosis.
The deck is cored except in high-load areas, where solid fiberglass carries the strain. A wide flange joins hull and deck; it’s bonded with 3M 5200 and through-bolted on 4-inch centers. Interior bulkheads are tabbed on all sides, and massive floors provide rigid athwartship support.
Forward, a step-down sail locker forms part of a watertight collision bulkhead. The fin keel is solid lead, secured with 35mm stainless bolts over an 8mm backing plate. The rudder is a partially balanced spade with a small skeg.
Design displacement is 47,184 pounds, with a fraction over 20,000 pounds of external lead ballast. The ballast-to-displacement ratio is 43, the displacement-to-length ratio is 220, and the sail area-to-displacement ratio is 17.6. The standard fin keel draws 7 feet; a hydraulic centerboard is optional for shoal draft. Air draft is 77 feet.
Rig, Sail Handling, and Performance
The standard Seldon spars and Hasselford discontinuous stainless standing rigging support a cutter configured with a Furlex System 400 roller-furling headsail and Doyle mainsail and 135-percent genoa. A quick-release inner forestay, staysail, and running gear were popular options.
Sail handling is concentrated around the helm. The primary winches and mainsheet winch are within easy reach, and all controls lead aft to the deck immediately behind the coaming on either side of the companionway.
In very light air, test sailors aboard RS Sapphire maintained 6 knots at 40 degrees apparent. They found that the 50,000-pound hull tacked and accelerated more sharply than its weight would suggest.
Cockpit and Deck Equipment
The standard ground tackle is substantial: a Nillson 2200 vertical windlass, a 60-pound CQR anchor, a 55-pound Barnacle anchor, and 300 feet of galvanized chain. A robust double-roller stemhead supports the arrangement.
The deck package also includes 32-inch stanchions, double lifelines, and notable stainless work. An extended pushpit was optional.
Accommodations
Below, the cabin is both attractive and vast. Large ports—two on each side and three forward—bring in plenty of light, while headroom exceeds 7 feet. Queen Long’s teak joinerwork is superb, balanced by practical white laminated headliners. The shimmering cabin-sole sections secure in place against a knockdown.
The three-cabin layout places a centerline queen berth forward, along with hanging lockers. The port cabin can be arranged with a double berth, single berths, a workbench, or an office. A forward head includes a separate shower stall.
In the saloon, an expandable teak table drops to form a double berth, and there’s a sea berth to starboard. The navigation station is tucked to port, with an L-shaped desk and computer shelf.
The starboard galley runs for more than 7 feet and provides abundant counter space, along with twin centerline drains. Its equipment includes a Grunert refrigerator and freezer, a trash compactor, and foot pumps.
Aft, the huge owner’s stateroom has an island queen berth with a split mattress and a lee cloth for use at sea, plus a separate shower stall. Hylas also offered custom interior plans at little or no cost.
Machinery and Systems
A Yanmar 125-horsepower four-cylinder diesel sits beneath the galley sinks and cockpit well. It’s fitted with dual alternators. Three 700-amp-hour 8D house batteries supply the electrical system through an accessible, aft-facing panel.
Fuel and water tanks beneath the saloon sole provide 550 gallons of combined capacity. Excellent manifolds manage the tankage.
Verdict
The Hylas 54 is a thoughtfully engineered Frers passagemaker. Its aramid-reinforced solid hull, watertight forward bulkhead, and meticulous joinerwork support its reputation among serious cruisers. Its light-air performance is surprising for a boat of this displacement, and the helm-centered sail-handling arrangement suits short-handed passagemaking. The tradeoffs are its 77-foot air draft and standard 7-foot fin keel, both of which require careful harbor planning.
Pros
- Aramid-reinforced solid fiberglass hull with osmosis protection and a watertight collision bulkhead
- Winches close to the helm and sail controls led fully aft for manageable short-handed handling
- Flexible three-cabin layout, custom plans, and an aft berth equipped for use at sea
- Generous 550-gallon combined tankage beneath the sole
- Dual engine alternators
Cons
- The 77-foot air draft limits bridge clearance
- The standard 7-foot fin keel restricts access to shoal water without the costly centerboard option
