The Hylas 56 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Hylas 56, a centre-cockpit sloop, was designed by German Frers and built in Taiwan by Queen Long Marine Co Ltd.

The Hylas 56 sailboat 'Alora'The Hylas 56

Published Specification for the Hylas 56

  • Underwater Profile: Bulb keel & spade rudder
  • Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)
  • Length Overall: 54'1" (16.5m)
  • Waterline Length: 46'0" (14.0m)
  • Beam: 15'10" (4.8m)
  • Draft: 7'4" (2.2m)*
  • Rig Type: Masthead sloop
  • Displacement: 50,200lb (22,771kg)
  • Designer: German Frers
  • Builder: Queen Long Marine Co. Ltd. (Taiwan)
  • Year First Built: 2011
  • Owners Association: Hylas Yacht Owners Association

* Also produced with centreboard keel; centreboard up 6'4", centreboard down 10'0"

Published Design Ratios for the Hylas 56

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 21.51

  • 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: 40.0

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

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 230

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

4. Comfort Ratio: 40.5

  • 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: 1.7

  • 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 56

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 21.5 suggests that, in the right hands, the Hylas 56 will have enough performance to leave most other cruising sailboats of similar waterline length well astern. 

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 40.0 (particularly with much of the ballast concentrated in the bulb keel) means that the Hylas 56 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 230, tells us the Hylas 56 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 40.5 suggests that crew comfort of a Hylas 56 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a heavy bluewater cruising boat. Pitching and rolling will be well damped - your cup of coffee on the salon table stands a reasonable chance of staying there in most conditions.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 tells us that a Hylas 56 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

Other sailboats in the Hylas range include:





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