Hylas Yachts latest construction update
by Hylas Yachts 30 Oct 2020 22:50 NZDT
Hylas H 48 leaving the Newport boat show © Billy Black
Hylas Yachts is busy these days. The Hylas facilities at Queen Long Marine in Taiwan, are currently working on six between sailing and motorboats.
"The global pandemic has affected us all in some way and each of us have to modify his own behavior a little," commented Andy Huang, CEO of Hylas Yachts. "We have been fortunate in Taiwan to be able to keep our production facility open and all the staff is healthy. If there's one thing we missed it's the absence of clients' visits. Of course, everyone has been kept up to speed through Zoom, video and photographs but we do miss the personal connection and the opportunities to celebrate with our new owners. Hopefully that will change soon.
Sailing Yachts Updates
Second Hylas H57 is now on sea trial and the third is under construction
The H57 is a Bill Dixon design. The architect has found the perfect balance of performance cruiser, luxurious living and easy sailing. This bluewater yacht brings a new dimension to the "cruising lifestyle".
Every yacht leaving the factory is tested in the dedicated water tank and, when it exceeds 55ft, it is taken to Kaohsiung Harbor. This allows technicians, engineers, third party power plant providers (Yanmar/Volvo) to test every system and give their seal of approval.
"Testers underline that the new H57 is very maneuverable and light loads on the helm, it will be easy to manage even when loaded with full sail," said Andy Huang.
"I'm proud to see this boat being developed by the Hylas and Queen Long Marine Team," said the company's President Joseph Huang. "We worked hard in the development of this project. Hylas has come a long way since I first started working in the company alongside my father, the founder of Hylas Yachts."
The shipyard is also building the third Hylas H57. The target delivery in the US is November 2021. The yacht has a vacuum infused hull with closed cell foam core. The subtray and structural bulkheads are then glassed into the hull before the yacht leaves the mold.
The first Hylas H57 has been delivered to the US in spring 2020.
Hylas H48 - two in build
The H48 is also a Bill Dixon design that has interior volumes that appear to exceed the dimensions of the yacht.
Every new yacht purchased has an established communication schedule. This involves monthly webinars including project management, production and service hosted by a sales contact. The completion of rough cabinetry is a great time to visit the yard (pandemic precautions allowing). The client gets a real sense of the feel of the yacht and there's still time to make minor adjustments that put the owners' signature on the finished product.
The carpentry stage of the second Hylas H48 is completed. Varnish team has moved in. The transom joined the hull of the third unit and glassed in. When a client chooses to paint its hull, we use clear gelcoat as an additional quality control so that if there was an imperfection it would be easily identified. The framing for structural bulkheads is being introduced and the engine is now at the factory undergoing initial inspections.