Hylas Yachts is excited to report that Hulls No. 1 and 2 of the new H57 well under way and approaching the closing stages of production.
Bill Dixon, the designer, visited the factory in recent weeks and gave two thumbs up. The Hylas H57 is a bluewater sailing vessel that offers a combination of proven construction, updated technology, and crisp, fresh lines, and, consistent with the rest of the Hylas line, incorporates the philosophy of building boats with customer input to maximize owner satisfaction.
Hylas has long built ocean-capable cruisers appreciated by accomplished sailors. The quiet calm of a seakindly motion and confidence in the builder’s attention to detail makes Hylas an obvious choice. The semi-custom build approach helps ensure yachtsmen get the boats they need. The H57 is designed by Bill Dixon to be consistent in the Hylas philosophy: The design helps to evolve the concept with long list of technological features that make her easy to sail and enjoy with a her layout attuned to more open, social spaces to share with family and friends.
Hull No. 1
As to the progress on the first two yachts, Hull No. 1 has the deck laid and the keel and rudders installed, and the structure of the interior has been built. The deck rigging has been laid out and the installation of those components are under way. This H57 will have a three-stateroom layout, and the design is transforming the third bunk stateroom into a workspace for the owner. The yacht will also feature the optional hard-top with the awning that deploys aft to shelter the helm stations, and the color choices of canvas and other fabrics, as well as the paint scheme of the entire vessel has been set. “The client is very hands-on in the technical aspects of the yacht,” says Christian Pschorr, service director for Hylas Yachts International. “This boat has a Lithium-ion battery system and Czone digital switching, and we’ve been in close communication, exchanging emails with photos and questions back and forth on a daily basis.”
Hull No. 2
The second H57 is also in progress and Pschorr had recently from a visit to the yard in Taiwan, where he saw the hull had been laid up and the keel was nearing installation. The owner of that yacht is also involved in the process. While this yacht will hew more closely to the original specification in terms of technical systems, her owner has been selecting some interesting wood varieties for the interior as well as some fabrics that will make her a one-of-a-kind build.
“This second example will also be a three-cabin layout,” says Kevin Wensley, a sales executive at Hylas Yachts. “She will also have a powered fold-down swim platform, which will add a whole new dimension to the aft section.”
Designed for a Couple
The H57 is designed to be handled by a couple with a hull shape that offers speed and comfort offshore, with a solid-lead fin keel designed to reduce side slip while stiffening the hull to manage the large 1,636-square-foot (152 m²) sail area. Twin spade rudders are positioned well above the keel plane to optimize upwind performance and provide redundancy. Dedicated trim stations confine the sailing work of the H57 to specific deck areas and electric winches add fingertip control to furling and tending the sails, including in-mast furling to simplify reefing. A Solent rig with a 135% genoa on the forestay is matched to a self-tacking jib for upwind legs to make sail-handling easy, even in heavy air. An asymmetrical spinnaker can supplement the reaching sail.
The Hybrid Cockpit
The cockpit is convenient to the aft helm stations, where the business of sailing may be conducted. The addition of the optional hard-top will present no obstruction to onboard movement, while uncluttered side decks allow sailors and nonsailors alike to get around the boat easily.
Owner Input
While the three- or four-cabin layouts are designed to create an easy-living space for a cruising couple who will live aboard or cruise extensively with family and friends, Hylas is a true semi-custom builder and welcomes owner input. With the substantial 17- foot beam of Bill Dixon’s design, the H57 makes the most of the almost five feet of freeboard to offer good headroom throughout
the entire layout, including the aft owner’s cabin. Flexibility in the saloon and galley layouts ensure owners get the kind of convivial spaces expected on a contemporary yacht, all overlaid with the bright, airy ambience enhanced by wraparound windows and large portlights.
The H57 owner’s cabin includes a queen berth on centerline accessible from both sides. The cabin is served by its own airconditioning zone, ensuring owner comfort. Comfortable easy chairs positioned in the aft corners of the cabin make the most of the space and offer solitude from guests for reading or conducting business, and stowage is offered in his-and-hers hanging lockers and drawers. The Hylas H57 is constructed of FRP composite using isophthalic gelcoat, cored with closed-cell foam and infused with vinylester resin for a strong, lightweight build. Five barrier coats of epoxy help ensure the lamination holds up over time.
“When our clients tell us what they want, we listen,” says Andy Huang, CEO of Hylas Yachts. “Any experienced sailor knows what they’re looking for already. As a semi-custom builder, we can use our technology and Bill Dixon’s innovative designs to meet their needs with a distinctive style.”
Stay tuned for more updates on the build of the first two Hylas H57 yachts.
