Due to time and inherent bias, I remember Hylas history through a somewhat colored view. Despite these limitations and my failings as a writer, I hope the following account provides value to people interested in these fine yachts.

Hylas, in Greek mythology, was a courageous youth who accompanied Hercules on the cruise of the Argonauts. He symbolizes our fine sailing yachts.

In the late 1970′s, Joseph Huang opened the Queen Long yard in Taiwan. Jack Kelly contracted them to build the Kelly Peterson 44/46. In 1981 building on their success with Kelly Yachts, Mr. Huang approached Sparkman & Stephens to design a 47′ sailboat. He left the design completely up to S&S. When Bill Stevens heard about the S&S 47 design, he ordered as many as he could and slapped his name on the boat, the Stevens 47. Bill Stevens ran Stevens Yacht Charters and had been buying Peterson 44′s from Queen Long. Many people confuse her as named after Rod Stephens of S&S, but the correct spelling is the Stevens 47. She was well built and designed, fast with a skeg rudder/fin keel, and roomy with three staterooms. And although a financial success as one, she was much more than a charter boat.

In 1984, building on his success, Mr. Huang asked German Frers to design the Hylas 42 and the Hylas 44. He coupled these designs with the successful Stevens 47, branding them “Hylas” after the Greek mythological youth who accompanied Hercules on the cruise of the Argonuats. “This daring youth symbolizes our fine yachts,” goes a vintage Hylas brochure. The Hylas 44 became popular for chartering. In response to feedback, Queen Long modified her. After the first thirteen hulls, Queen Long enlarged the cockpit. The enlarged cockpit provided more comfortable cockpit room for Caribbean cruising. Continue reading “Hylas Yachts Review: A Jordan Yachts Perspective” »