The Hylas 42 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Hylas 42, a masthead sloop, was designed by German Frers and built in Taiwan by Queen Long Marine.

'Exit Stage Left', a Hylas 42 approaches the anchorage in Deep Bay, Antigua, West Indies.The Hylas 42, a performance cruising boat from the 1980's.

Published Specification for the Hylas 42

Underwater Profile: Fin keel and spade rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 42'1" (12.8m)

Waterline Length: 33'6" (10.2m)

Beam: 13'0" (4.0m)

Draft: 7'0" (2.1m)

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 17,600lb (7,983kg)

Designer:  German Frers

Builder: Queen Long Marine (Taiwan)

Year First Built: 1985

Published Design Ratios for the Hylas 42

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 19.6

  • Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
  • 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
  • Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 50.0

  • Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
  • Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 209

  • Under 100: Ultralight
  • 100 to 200: Light
  • 200 to 275: Moderate
  • 275 to 350: Heavy
  • Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 24.8

  • Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
  • 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
  • 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
  • 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
  • Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.0

  • Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
  • Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Hylas 42

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 19.6 suggests that the Hylas 42 will, in the right conditions, approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 50.0 means that the Hylas 42 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 209, tells us the Hylas 42 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 24.8 suggests that crew comfort of a Hylas 42 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.0 indicates that a Hylas 42 would not be the wisest choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making owing to the lower resistance to capsize in strong winds and heavy seas that is associated with sailboats with a CSF of 2.0 and above.

Other sailboats in the Hylas range include:

A Hylas 44 sailboat at anchorThe Hylas 44
A Hylas 46 at anchor off Portsmouth, Dominica in the West IndiesThe Hylas 46
A Hylas 56 sailboat at anchorThe Hylas 56

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