Ocean Sailboat Showdown: Passport 545 vs Hylas 56

[@nealschneider9662]

When my wife and I went shopping for a cruising sailboat, we had our hearts set on a Stevens 47 which was later sold as the Hylas. Alas, we couldn't find one in our price range and wound up buying a Contest 48, a Dutch-built, ketch-rigged, aft-cabin boat that was perfectly laid out for our family of five. Though we only cruised for one year with our young family, we kept the boat and upon retirement, my wife and I completed a 49,000-mile circumnavigation on her. Contest is one of the few boat builders that was started in the early 60s that's still building boats today.

[@dwk8081]

Buying a Contest 48??? Nice!! Did it have a wheel helm? I can't find any. They are super hard to find well done. I'm getting one. How much did it cost you? And what was the condition was in ? Safe Sailing

[@maurolimaok]

This Hylas is MAGNIFICENT. What a place to live. Loved the video.

[@gnsmk357]

Two adult state rooms gets my money all day. This is priceless information from some one who is a respected boat person. Very well done. Thank you.

[@dutchflats]

Lady K moving up in the world, congrats!

[@erichyney6287]

Thanks, Tim. The Hylas wins hands down. 🙃

[@eriku785]

Thanks Tim, I have never heard of these boats before now. I'm looking to be a live-a-board after I retire and your channels are helping me decide which boat would best fit my needs.

[@scottkrebs586]

For me personally, assuming there was $1M to invest to this end, it would be a ~$200K boat and maybe ~$100K in initial refit. That would leave ~$700K to invest. Assuming a ~10% return, that's ~$70K/year for upgrades. That would leave me happily tinkering with stuff until I finally tinker out, and a darned fine boat to enjoy in the meantime... there's another comment for ya, Tim!

[@artsmith103]

If you're offering guaranteed 10% return, sign me up and I'm happy to give you 0.5%

[@aaronj8600]

These are both awesome but out of my budget. I’m looking at more like a Taswell 56/ Hylas 54. Awesome video, thanks!

[@petebrown5056]

Not picking sides but one should compare center cockpit vs center cockpit models IMO. Passport makes both.

[@nyke18]

You made a whole video about how you like a centre cockpit more and then only look at the aft cockpit Passport. They have an aft cockpit version that won a ton of awards. Really not an apples to apples comparison.

[@BillBernerTV]

I believe you misstated one thing about the Passport. Construction at some point prior to 2006 (the vintage of my Passport 470) was, I’m fairly certain, moved to a purpose built factory in mainland China. Outbounds are also built there. Both the boats you compare are gorgeous, and I can certainly attest to the build quality of the Passport. My 470, a Bob Perry design, feels very much like a scaled down version of the Hylas, and is plenty of boat for me at 1/2 the price. I do think the aft cockpit/center cockpit is a bit apples to oranges. Obviously, you can only compare what you can actually get aboard. But, Passport makes a center cockpit 545 as well which would be a better comparison. FWIW, the Passport won Cuising World’s Boat of the year in 3 categories in 2016.

[@charleslassiter6082]

thanks Tim first time seeing through a Hayas 56, gosh both yachts are beautiful blue water cruisers, just which one shall i have :)

[@douglassage6579]

Hylas for tankage and aft cabin. For my money, I'll do either hinckley 59 on the market and upgrades. Under $400k plenty of room to update electronics, rigging etc. Maybe slower but softer motion for the long passages and could even go taller with a new mast at that price.

[@seonewport363]

Every Hylas I have ever seen at shows, over many years has been outstanding in every possible respect. Another reason to defend Taiwan.

[@keeldragger]

I'd love to see more discussion on sailing characteristics and less on interiors.

[@jesuschrist-alphaomega]

Love love. Be a dream to own this beauty.

[@dirkvandertoornvandertoorn4895]

Wat surprise me how can you put the master cabin at the bow the most uncomfortable place when you are sailing up wind with

[@paulstephens5229]

I liked both boats, however the hylas just takes it for me, the more roomier aspect and the stepped transom was just gorgeous.

[@bobrose7900]

Hylas, love the build and ballast to displacement.

[@EJL2004]

nice comparison video. I would love to see one comparing the Bruckman 50 mkii vs the Island Packet 41sp cruiser. different LOA, but two boats very distinctly different from the rest of the pack.

[@patcan664]

I just bought a 2020 Dufour 56 , that's my choice for half the budget here. thats my budget. couldn't find anything close this budget for a 2020, its still a great boat .

[@rickirizarry5079]

What about the Oyster? Isn't that a competitor as well?

[@peterbyrne652]

Center cockpits always give you better interiors, but not better cockpits. Hot weather will mean more cockpit time, unless you run the generator for A/C. Hylas weight means it might be more complicated to find a place to haul out, and light wind performance will suffer. Solent rig IMHO on Passport is a better idea for sail inventory. If you've ever worked on a boat, you won't give a damn about the cabin layout. Passport is designed to make real issues easy, Hylas makes living easy. Hylas is a nicer looking boat, but in boats if it's practical, you'll never regret your choice when it matters.

[@shaynewoodman6610]

please do one on the kraken i thought it was the best but maybe not regareds shayne

[@peterbyrne652]

It's better than both of these in material and overall engineering. Krakens are the modern version of every concept ever valued in 'traditional' boats.

[@shaynewoodman6610]

@@peterbyrne652 thank you kind regards

[@robertscholz4486]

Both are beautiful boats, and if you held a gun to my head and made me chose between the two, i would have to pick the Hylas -- the fit and finish is impeccable. As for which route I would personally take, I would likely go much smaller and cheaper boat -- solo sailor here. I would make significant upgrades to a 38 - 42 foot boat, and use the rest of what I saved to live comfortably in many foreign ports.

[@almaguapa-sailboatliveaboa440]

Hylas are indeed impressive. Have met David Walters Yachts brokers at Annapolis Boat Show, they stand out as pros! 😎

[@9drydock]

The Hylas 56 with the center cockpit is my choice. Perfect for extended cruising.

[@KenWallaceFilms]

Love the Passport's traditional feel--it has the stamp of the original Bob Perry design on it. If I was making my way through a boat on a passage the Passport would feel more secure than the open and roomy Hylas salon. That Hylas aft cabin is a beauty for sure, but a bit unfair to compare a center cockpit layout to an aft cockpit. Is there a center cockpit Passport? It's also interesting that these are compared like comparing two condos--but how does the sailing performance compare? The displacement differences must have some impact. That said, If I'm spending that much cash for an ocean going passagemaker, I'm probably buying a Kraken.

[@BOBWALTON-tq5lq]

GOOD DISCUSSION ON BOTH YACHTS. I WOULD HAVE TO GO INTO MUCH MORE DETAIL ON EACH, BUT THE HYLAS, I WOULD CERTAINLY TAKE A CLOSER LOOK!

[@gregdamario5808]

FINALLY, the accolades that Hylas (up until the company was sold and idiots took over) deserves!

[@rolandstockham1905]

2 beautiful boats but ocean-going? To be worthy of that title the following are essentials; Fully protected rudder with emergency steering, hull form having good straight-line stability and ability to hove to, secure sea berths with lee cloths for each crew member, secure galley with restraints for the cook and adequate fiddles, handholds available throughout the accommodation, deck and cockpit that can safely be worked in heavy weather, rig stresses calculated for high cyclic loading, adequate and secure stowage including restraints for all heavy items such as batteries, secure closures on Lkr doors etc. I saw some glaring omissions in both boats that you did not mention starting with 'Where are you going to sleep?' and island double berth is unusable in a seaway. Not saying that these are not excellent seaboats that are worth the money but it would have been nice to see more explanation of why they are up to ocean going standards.

[@walterelmore1017]

Passport has an exposed prop and I think Hylas has a spade rudder. Aren't these important considerations?

[@valerieb.4912]

Tim, this is really hard. I prefer aft galley. A lot easier when sailing in bad weather. I am still a Bristol Girl.

[@Jumbo-D]

If I wanted a boat like this I would not buy either of these. I would buy a Passport 585, more boat. with designed on deck dingy storage, this feature alone gives the 585 the win.

[@RobertBobFantozzi]

Excellent value , a Tayana 55 by Peter Beeldsnijder , at 48,400lbs with 17,600lbs ballast

[@bellwether9496]

Man I saw a hylas 46 at the dock and it was a nice boat.

[@wilfredromer9628]

The Hylas is the winner in my book, while Both of them would do. I love the way the Hylas is layedout. it seem to be more spacious, but for the price point I'm leaning toward a cat. then when you think ab docking fees, maintenance then like the hulls on the cat, everything just doubles. So I'll just go with the Hylas.

[@boblivingston4841]

I don't think the Hylas has a skag hung rudder.If so an ocean going boat has to have rudder protection.

[@Chris-zo5ze]

Hylas, between these two, no doubt... But, once you get into the 1M price range, there are A LOT of very nice options.

[@michaelprittie1022]

Hylas hands down:)

[@shanghaidiscovery2664]

both boats looked nice but the Hylas was perhaps better although at that size, a 3rd cabin would be nice. just need to scrape together a million or two then...

[@jonunya3128]

really nice boats.. that's Kraken money though isn't it?

[@DougVarble]

Big Cat🎉

[@danknox9986]

Looks the the Haylas checks more boxes.

[@jefflloyd394]

Wow, want one 🏴‍☠️🦜😎

[@michaelwoo4279]

Hands down the Hylas, today, tomorrow and forever! No comparison!

[@TheBeer4me]

Feel much safer is a mono in heavy seas

[@AlenReed-l6g]

Hylas by far!

[@philstringer3668]

You neglected Oyster, an obvious alternative

[@richardduval9237]

Hylas !!!!!!

[@corradodeluca1320]

At that price and size I’d go for the Hylas. Though, if I were to go smaller, I’d go for the Passport. Catamarans are not my cup of tea.

[@Tom-q3e]

Thank goodness this video is not focused on the usual Practical Sailor 1960s boats. But, how many of their magazine articles are relevant to this type of boat?

[@garryhall17]

Hylas all the way.

[@corvavw6447]

Hylas stil the boat for cruises. Contest, rustler, enz all good boats. 😂island packet don't.............😊

[@BigDreamsBoating]

Hylas

[@will51256]

Hallberg Rassy

[@RobNiekel]

No doubt, the hylas wins... but for me it's down to dreaming...

[@seanrhone5306]

Out of my price range

[@johnrathbun2943]

These two are basically the exact same boat. One just has more luxuries than the other. Who needs towel warmers on a sailboat? You will be in warmer climates anyways.

[@stephenpetranek8188]

Totally ridiculous comparison here as the Passport center cockpit model has everything the Hylas has. But the real differences are in details and quality of construction. Passports don't break, they don't squeak or creak, and the details in woodwork and fit and finish exceed the Hylas at every turn IMHO. Why does Practical Sailor seem suddenly to be in bed with Dave Walters Yachts? Do I detect a conflict of interest that undermines the independence Practical Sailor has always relied on?

[@svsalserenity4375]

I agree , a passport is a better built boat, I have worked on both . Hylas's beauty is only skin deep , pull a drawer out and look at the carpentry and the tabbing behind it , then do the same in a passport , Im sure you would agree.

[@dmhsif]

Can’t understand why you are comparing a center cockpit Hylas with an aft cockpit Passport. Passport makes the 545 Vista CC (Center Cockpit) which has been on display at the last several Annapolis sailboat shows. It is just as roomy and beautiful as the Hylas center cockpit with a very similar layout including the galley and aft stateroom. Your comparison makes no sense.

[@louisfbrooks]

Kraken

[@jeffa61]

Great boats just too big

[@TheCorsair]

Hylas quality is no where close to the quality of a Passport.

[@scott.the.sailor]

the hylas has 20% ballast and no skeg, that's gonna be a no from me dawg

[@RoryL83]

Do boats for the 99.99999% of people instead of boats for the .000000001%. Are you trying to provide something to the population of sailors or 1 rich guy??? This helps no one.

[@bhoutdoors507]

This is fun too, in the same way looking at nicer houses on zillow is fun.

[@artsmith103]

I see an interest for people looking at 44-48' for half the price. What features do they value most to push the limit.

[@paulkopp3634]

Everyone’s entitled to their view but I think you’re being a little unfair. I would think there are significant numbers of those coming up to retirement with maybe a smaller boat to trade up and a good retirement income or selling or downsizing their homes with a dream of live aboard sailing , either home waters or crossing the Atlantic to the med or even further. Just because you can afford to buy such a boat may not mean you have unlimited funds to maintain it . Practical Sailor can offer useful advice and knowledge to everyone, many just enjoy getting their their hands dirty and learning to care for their dream boat . Let’s not disparage those that are not “Rich guys “ but have worked hard to achieve a dream that most who love boats would aspire to .

[@RoryL83]

For a 56 ft boat???????? Have u seen how big that is?

[@earthman3000]

Can’t get much better than a Hylas. Monos for real sailors

[@johnst65]

Hylas