The Hylas 55 is with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
9.1 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 45.8′, the Hylas 55 tops out around 9.1 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √45.8′ LWL = 9.1 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Ballast / Displacement
42.4%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
220
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
38.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Hull Speed
9.1kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
2lbs
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
38.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Hylas 55.
| Hylas 55 | Amel 50 | Oyster 55 | Sweden Yachts 54 | Taswell 56 | Xp 55 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 55.4 | 54.1 | 56.3 | 55.4 | 55.8 | 56.5 |
| LWL | 45.8 | 47.6 | 45.4 | 47.6 | 46.8 | 48.8 |
| Beam | 15.8 | 15.7 | 15.8 | 14.8 | 16.5 | 15.7 |
| Displacement | 47 | 41 | 51 | 38 | 48 | 37 |
| Ballast | 20 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 19 | 14 |
| Sail Area | — | 1,356 | 1 | 1 | — | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| SA/Disp | — | 18.2 | 18.6 | 22.9 | — | 27.2 |
| Bal/Disp | 42.4 | 28.6 | — | 40.5 | 40.4 | — |
| Comfort | 38.1 | 32.9 | 41.2 | 32.5 | — | 28.7 |
| Capsize | 1.75 | 1.82 | 1.70 | 1.77 | — | 1.88 |
| Hull Speed | 9.1 | 9.2 | 9.0 | 9.2 | — | 9.4 |