The Hylas 44 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages, and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 34.9′, the Hylas 44 tops out around 7.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √34.9′ LWL = 7.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
105s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
17.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
49.4%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
235
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
28.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.92
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
28.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.92
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Hylas 44 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
X 442
36s/nm
J/44
51s/nm
Swan 44 Mk Ii Frers
81s/nm
Hylas 44
105s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.9 |
4.9 |
5.5 |
5.7 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.7 |
6.0 |
6.7 |
7.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.4 |
5.5 |
6.2 |
6.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.9 kts),
SA/D (17.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Hylas 44 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Hylas 44.
|
Hylas 44 |
Cc 44 |
Contest 44 Classic |
J/44 |
Swan 44 Mk Ii Frers |
X 442 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
44.2 |
44.2 |
44.0 |
44.3 |
44.1 |
44.3 |
| LWL |
34.9 |
35.3 |
38.3 |
37.0 |
34.7 |
36.8 |
| Beam |
13.5 |
13.3 |
13.1 |
13.8 |
13.7 |
13.6 |
| Displacement |
22 |
20 |
39 |
21 |
24 |
21 |
| Ballast |
11 |
9 |
13 |
9 |
8 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
866 |
924 |
990 |
903 |
— |
956 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
105 |
— |
— |
51 |
81 |
36 |
| SA/Disp |
17.6 |
19.6 |
13.8 |
17.1 |
— |
20.0 |
| Bal/Disp |
49.4 |
47.1 |
33.9 |
41.9 |
34.6 |
— |
| Comfort |
28.6 |
27.3 |
49.2 |
35.4 |
— |
26.2 |
| Capsize |
1.92 |
1.93 |
1.55 |
1.57 |
— |
1.96 |
| Hull Speed |
7.9 |
8.0 |
8.3 |
10.1 |
— |
8.1 |