1987 Hylas 49 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Elan |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | Slovenia |
| Designer | German Frers | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 99.6 m² (1,072 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the 1987 Hylas 49 measures 14.94m (49.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 1987 Hylas 49 is 1.09m longer than the 2016 Elan GT5. The 1987 Hylas 49 displaces approximately 51% 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 2016 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 2016 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, 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 2016 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1987 Hylas 49 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 2016 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 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 · 2016 Elan GT5