Hylas just launched its new M49 powerboat for sea trials. It’s the third powerboat in the Taiwan builder’s fleet, which already included an M44 and M58. A blue-water cruiser, the long, low, lean M49 is powered by twin 370-hp Yanmar diesels with straight shafts.
Hylas is a semi-custom builder, and the M49 comes in two superstructure styles. The Cabriolet has classic windows in the salon, and a shorter overhang from the cabin top over the aft deck and a pull-out Bimini for added protection. The Euro version has a more contemporary shape to the salon windows and a longer overhang for full protection over the cockpit.
The M49 was built in collaboration with Salthouse, the New Zealand builder, and it’s meant to be a strong, fuel-efficient cruiser with handcrafted quality inside. The basic boat has two staterooms and one head below.
The main deck is all on one level, from the teak swim platform all the way up to the helm station. The swim platform opens to the cockpit via three stainless steel gates for easy access to the dink or water sports. There is seating forward in the cockpit, and a glass door opens to the salon.
The U-shaped galley is aft, on the port side, and it’s made for cruising, with a four-burner gas stove, oven, grill, microwave, fridge and top-opening freezer. A bench seat is opposite, to starboard. Just forward of the galley is a U-shaped dinette with a teak high-low table. A two-person seat is at the helm, on the starboard side.
Down three steps, the master stateroom is in the bow with a queen-sized island bed, a hanging locker, lots of storage and four stainless steel portholes. The head has a separate shower with a retracting door and molded seat. The second stateroom is on the port side with twin bunk beds and a single upper bunk bed.
Hylas Yachts are built at Queen Long Marine in Taiwan, one of the most established builders in Asia. There are now more than 500 Hylas Yachts cruising somewhere around the world.
Specs.: LOA: 48’10”; Beam: 13’6”; Draft: 3’2”; Disp.: 25,350 lbs.; Fuel: 237 gals.; Water: 190 gals.; Power: 2×370-hp Yanmar diesels.
