Back to Search
Hylas 42
Designer: German Frers  ·  Builder: Queen Long Marine Co, Ltd. (Taiwan)  ·  First built: 1985
+ Add to Compare
About the Hylas 42

Designed by renowned naval architect German Frers and built by Taiwan's Queen Long Marine between 1985 and 1990, this 42-footer represents a thoughtful blend of performance and comfort for serious cruising sailors. With only 22 hulls produced during its five-year production run, the Hylas 42 has earned a reputation as a well-built, seaworthy vessel capable of handling both coastal passages and offshore voyaging. The boat's substantial displacement of 17,600 pounds, combined with 8,800 pounds of ballast and a fin keel with spade rudder configuration, delivers excellent stability and predictable handling characteristics. The masthead sloop rig carries 826 square feet of sail area, providing respectable performance while maintaining manageable sail handling for shorthanded crews. Frers' design philosophy shines through in the boat's moderate proportions and seakindly motion, reflected in the comfort ratio of 24.77. The fiberglass construction by Queen Long Marine, known for their quality workmanship during this era, ensures structural integrity for long-term cruising. With a theoretical hull speed of 7.76 knots and a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 19.61, the Hylas 42 strikes an ideal balance between comfortable passage-making and respectable sailing performance, making it particularly appealing to cruisers planning extended voyages.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.08 ft / 12.83 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 33.50 ft / 10.21 m
Beam 13.00 ft / 3.96 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Displacement 17,600.00 lb / 7,983 kg
Ballast 8,800.00 lb / 3,992 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 826.00 ft² / 76.74 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer German Frers
Builder Queen Long Marine Co, Ltd. (TAIWAN)
First Built 1985
Last Built 1990
Number Built 22
Associations Hylas Yacht Club
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 87
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 19.61
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 50
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 208.99
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 24.77
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.76 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.88
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1,556.09 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 19.61
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 55.50 ft / 16.92 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.84 ft / 5.13 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 49.00 ft / 14.94 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.65 ft / 4.47 m
SA Fore 467.31 ft² / 43.41 m²
SA Main 358.93 ft² / 33.35 m²
SA Total (100%) 826.24 ft² / 76.76 m²
Est. Forestay Length 58.00 ft / 17.68 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 50
Fuel Capacity 50 gals / 189 L
Water Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
Find a Hylas 42 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace