The Hylas 56 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

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

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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.