1987 Hylas 49 vs 2001 Oyster 53 — Comparison
2001 Oyster 53
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | 2001 Oyster 53 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Oyster |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 2001–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | UK |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 16.23 m (53.2 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.26 m (43.5 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.60 m (15.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 20,500 kg (45,195 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 99.6 m² (1,072 ft²) | 120.0 m² (1,292 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 500 L (132.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 700 L (184.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and 2001 Oyster 53 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the 2001 Oyster 53 is a 2000s offering from Oyster from UK. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The 2001 Oyster 53 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1987 Hylas 49 measures 14.94m (49.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the 2001 Oyster 53 at 16.23m (53.2ft) with a 4.60m beam. The 2001 Oyster 53 is 1.29m longer than the 1987 Hylas 49. The 2001 Oyster 53 displaces approximately 33% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1987 Hylas 49 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.33 and 99.6 m² of sail area. The 2001 Oyster 53, with an SA/D of 16.27 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1987 Hylas 49 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1987 Hylas 49 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 2001 Oyster 53 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.67. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 40.0% for the 2001 Oyster 53, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1987 Hylas 49 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 568L of water capacity and 303L of fuel. The 2001 Oyster 53 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 700L water and 500L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 2001 Oyster 53 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1987 Hylas 49 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2001 Oyster 53 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1987 Hylas 49 · 2001 Oyster 53