The Hylas 46 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Hylas 46

Underwater Configuration: Fin keel & spade rudder 

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 46'3" (14.1m)

Waterline Length: 40'0" (12.2m)

Beam: 13'9" (4.2m)

Draft: 6'6" (2.0m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop, but some were produced with a cutter rig

Displacement: 27,777lb (12,599kg)

Designer: German Frers

Builder: Hylas Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1995

Owners Association: Hylas Yacht Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Hylas 46

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 20.5

• 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: 44.5

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 194

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 31.3

• 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: 1.8

• 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 46

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 20.5 suggests that, in the right hands, the Hylas 46 will have enough performance to leave most other sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 44.5 means that the Hylas 46 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves. 

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 194, tells us the Hylas 46 is a light-to-moderate displacement sailboat, which means she'll carry a reasonable amount of cruising gear without it having much of an effect on her performance.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 31.3 suggests that crew comfort of a Hylas 46 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that a Hylas 46 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.