– Third motor yacht model by Hylas Yachts

– Designed by the New Zealander Dean Salthouse

– Legendary high-quality Hylas finish throughout

– Maximum speed 31 knots

Hylas Yachts is delighted to announce the delivery of the new M49 cruiser. This is the third motor yacht model built by the family-owned yard famous for sailing yachts.

Driven by the tremendous success of the Hylas M44, the M49 was developed to meet the desires of existing owners for a larger model offering more room in the aft lounge, an increased capacity to carry water toys such as kayaks and paddleboards, and enhanced stowage for the dinghy.

Proven design

The M49 is built in collaboration with globally renowned New Zealand yacht builder, Salthouse. The Salthouse family has a tradition dating back over 65 years designing and building the finest quality motor yachts in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dean Salthouse has designed the yacht for demanding lifestyle, from the spacious luxurious interior to the practical and secure aft cockpit, delivered with the legendary high-quality Hylas finish throughout.

“Having owned and operated five M44, and seriously tested both the M44 and M49 in extreme conditions (and I mean New Zealand extreme), both vessels have many similarities and different strengths when directly compared,” explained Salthouse. “Whether it’s steaming from Australia to New Zealand in the M49 after the launch of the first hull, crossing Cook Straight (the body of water between the North and South islands of New Zealand) in 30′ seas, or delivering an M44 from Auckland around the top of New Zealand and then down to Nelson at the top of the South Island, these experiences only increase the faith and reputation of these models.”

The original M44 design from Salthouse, on which the M49 is based, has an enthusiastic following. In New Zealand its applications vary from customs patrol, police patrol, commercial fishing to deep-sea game fishing. It has gained a reputation for strength and integrity that is second to none.

The Hylas M49 features a lengthened aft cockpit over the M44 on which it is based, adding 1.40 m (4’ 7 ⅛”) to the LOA and 0.81 m (2′ 7 ⅞”) to the waterline.

In addition to the performance and handling advantages, the new Hylas M49 offers many options for customization, such as larger guest accommodations, a second head, more extensive interior and exterior storage compartments and lockers, and more. One of the best features afforded by the increase in the aft lounge is the additional entertainment area, which extends between the galley and outside seating area. This space can be customized with additional pullout refrigerator drawers, wet bar, combination washer, and dryer, or used as extra storage. Also, beneath the sole in the aft lounge is an additional storage locker for fishing gear, dive equipment, or any water toys.

Spacious inside

The M49 features an airy interior layout, which offers two large accommodation cabins and two heads – Master and day heads. The forward owner’s cabin can be configured with a conventional island double or with five single bunks.

The guest cabin position just aft to port comes as standard with a twin berth with infill and a further bunk berth above and outboard, which can be converted to storage space. The large lower deck heads compartment features an electric head as standard (switchable between fresh or salt water), acrylic stone counters, and a dedicated shower cubicle.

The forward end of the pilothouse features the helm station to starboard. There is a double helm seat and a large instrument console capable of accommodating twin 12” plotter/radar screens. A stainless steel framed sliding door allows access to the side decks.

Opposite the helm station is the dinette featuring a large U-shaped settee and a large dining table, which is height adjustable. An infill to create a daybed or occasionally double berth is included as standard.

Aft of the helm station is a further lounge settee followed by cabinetry containing the twin stainless steel drawer fridges and the pullout pantry. Opposite the pantry is the U-shaped large galley with cooker, microwave, freezer and twin sinks set into the acrylic stone counters. Access to the cockpit is granted via a stainless steel framed sliding door.

Ventilation in the pilot house is a notable feature of Hylas Motor Yachts. In addition to the cockpit door and the helm station deck access, there are also two larger sliding ‘sunroof’ deckhead hatches, a further sliding window adjacent the dinette and a fantastic opening stainless steel framed window aft the galley which allows the pilot house and cockpit areas to be joined together with no visual interruption.

The cockpit consists of an L-shaped settee to port with a height adjustable table, which can be turned into a sunbed or occasional outdoors double berth using the infill supplied as standard. Opposite to starboard is a linear sofa. The extended cockpit in the M49 allows for fitment of a wetbar, further locker space and “pop up” grill for alfresco dining.

The aft end of the cockpit can be opened out to allow a tender to be brought up into the cockpit area (there are also dedicated dinghy tie-down points on the pilothouse roof). At the stern is a large bathing platform area with stainless steel guardrails. For those transiting inland waterways, the antenna mast can be hinged to reduce air draft to just 3.36m.

Strong power

Powered by twin Yanmar 8LV-370 8-cylinder diesels. These engines offer the optimum combination of proven performance and economy, negating the need to offer a variety of different engine options, therefore greatly simplifying the purchase process.

Hylas Yachts’ motor yacht range includes three models now: the M44, M49 and M58.

Performance

The M49 is a proven fast and seagoing yacht. The maximum speed is 31 knots. After the sea trials, Dean Salthouse said:

“Firstly, it is very noticeable how stable the Hylas M49 is in terms of the beam to beam roll. As for athwartship stability, with the longer waterline, the M49 handles the seas. You cannot have enough of that! Second, in large head seas, the additional length and comparatively modest beam allow the waves to slide by without a lot of bow lift. And as the bow does not lift, it certainly does not slam. This makes the boat very comfortable and cuts back the head seas’ effect, making a 4′ wave seem like a 2′ wave.”

“With the seas on the beam, the extra stability is notable, further increasing the ride’s comfort. It makes a 30-knot day feel like a 20-knot day if that makes sense. Downwind as well; the boat is fantastic. In large following seas, where you are typically surfing down the waves, the boat handles solid and predictably. As a result of the longer waterline, the bow plows ahead, feeling very stable in conditions where you normally encounter a bit of fishtailing. We were very impressed with the stability, comfort, and sense of security.”

Base price

US$ 835k+TAX for the M49. The standard specification is extremely comprehensive and allows an effective ‘Drive-away’. The price includes shipping from the factory to the US, antifouling, commissioning and launching (costs, which are usually excluded from base prices with other yachts).

Brief specs

LOA – 15 m (48’10”)

LWL – 14 m (43’8″)

Beam – 4.12 m (13’6″)

Draft – 1.00 m (3’2″)

Air draft – 3.95 m (12’11”)

Displacement – 11.5 tonnes

Fuel capacity – 900 litres (237.75 US Gal)

Water capacity – 720 litres (190.2 US Gal)

Engines – 2 x Yanmar 370 hp diesel