CHACARA - HYLAS FOR SALE

Proven bluewater cruiser and offshore passagemaker sailing yacht—quick, secure, and built to an exceptional standard. CHACARA has been meticulously cared for and extensively sailed by her owners for years, and she captured the 1995 Marion to Bermuda Race.

Introduction

Conceived by German Frers, the Hylas 51 is a proven bluewater passagemaker—fast, safe, and impeccably constructed—and CHACARA exemplifies the design. Fastidiously maintained and joyfully sailed by her current owners for many years, she even claimed line honors in the 1995 Marion to Bermuda Race in light airs. On deck she presents the secure, well‑protected cockpit, generous side decks, and clean, classic lines that define the Hylas 51, while below she reveals a rare owner’s layout with a dual “master” arrangement forward and aft. Ready for a new steward to continue her story, CHACARA offers a thoroughly built platform for rewarding sailing and comfortable cruising—an ideal match for the sailor who prizes classic design, liveaboard ease, and proven offshore performance. She is priced accordingly and ready for offers.

Layout

Beginning forward, a large forepeak locker holds divided chain lockers with deep sail stowage accessed through a generous foredeck hatch. Just aft lies the spacious guest cabin, with a queen berth to port and a seat and hanging locker to starboard; abundant drawers and lockers complement a large under‑berth storage area that can be divided on centerline to create twin berths when desired. Natural light and airflow are excellent thanks to three hatches, a dorade vent, and an electric fan. Further aft to port, the forward head features a Vacuflush toilet, Corian countertops, and a separate stall shower, with discharge direct overboard or into a forty‑gallon holding tank. The expansive main salon—tastefully upholstered in green Ultrasuede—is designed for extended living and entertaining, with an L‑shaped dinette to port and a centerline inboard seat with storage beneath, a full‑length settee opposite to starboard, multiple lockers, TV/DVD and stereo, and a mast fully enclosed in teak cabinetry that ingeniously incorporates a twelve‑bottle wine rack. Forward and to starboard, a Splendide 2000 washer/dryer adds real‑world convenience, while three large deck hatches amplify the bright, airy ambiance. Moving aft to port, a proper navigation station offers a large chart table with flush‑mounted electronics and electrical panels. Aft to starboard, the galley is impressively equipped, with white Corian counters and exceptional storage, top‑ and front‑opening refrigeration and freezer compartments, an updated Broadwater four‑burner stove with oven and broiler, a GE microwave oven, centerline stainless‑steel sinks, a dedicated knife rack, full dinnerware with pots and pans, and both fresh‑ and saltwater foot pumps; opening portholes add extra light and ventilation. Dual passageways from the nav area and galley lead aft to the owner’s cabin, where a centerline queen‑size berth can be divided for use at sea; two large hanging lockers, plentiful drawers and lockers, a small vanity to starboard, and a seat to port deliver generous stowage and comfort. Ventilation is assured by a large deck hatch, three opening portholes, and an electric fan, further enhanced by the twin passageways. The owner’s head to port includes a wet locker, Corian countertops, and a Vacuflush toilet discharging to a separate, independent forty‑gallon holding tank; the separate shower stall features a fold‑down teak seat.

Electronics & navagation

At the helm, the cockpit suite is ready for passagemaking: a Simrad autopilot (2015) now driving a new hydraulic ram (2021), rudder‑angle and heel‑angle sensors, and a B&G radar on a Questus gimbaled stern‑mast mount with its display at the helm partner seamlessly with a B&G Zeus GPS/plotter (2015), an Icom M402 at the companionway, and a backup depth sounder. At the navigation station, redundancy and range rule the day, with a Furuno GP‑31 GPS at the helm used as backup, an ICOM M‑504 VHF radio with a remote mic at the helm, an Icom M802 SSB paired to a Pactor modem, a Garmin handheld GPS, a Standard loud hailer with automated foghorn functionality, and a cellular‑telephone hookup feeding a masthead antenna.

Electrical system

The yacht’s systems are engineered for independence: a twelve‑volt DC backbone and one‑hundred‑ten‑volt AC distribution are supported by an Onan 8 kW generator from 2019 showing 294 hours (12/25) and a Balmar alternator (2019), all overseen by a Trace inverter and electrical management system from 1998. Twin fifty‑amp shore‑power receptacles for ship’s service and air‑conditioning are positioned both at the stern and on the foredeck, complemented by two dockside electrical cables with miscellaneous adapters. Engine starting is assured by two heavy‑duty engine starting batteries and one heavy‑duty generator starting battery, while thrust and house loads are handled by two bow‑thruster batteries (2018) and two Lifeline ship’s‑system batteries. Thoughtful touches include red night lights along the cabin sole, one‑hundred‑ten‑volt and twelve‑volt outlets in every cabin, and four cabin fans to keep air moving.

Deck equipment

The one‑piece molded fiberglass deck carries a five‑eighths‑inch laid‑teak overlay, structurally bonded and bolted, with light‑gray nonskid where appropriate; teak graces the decks, cockpit seats, and cabin sole. Ground tackle and handling are robust, with a Maxwell 2000 twelve‑volt windlass, a Bruce sixty‑six‑pound anchor on three‑eighths‑inch chain rode, and a Fortress twenty‑five‑pound anchor on nylon/chain rode, all served by twin anchor bow rollers and a stainless bow pulpit with running lights. A recessed stainless swim ladder at the stern integrates molded steps, and at the transom a hot‑and‑cold shower awaits after a swim. On the foredeck, a pressure salt‑water washdown makes clean‑up effortless. Thirty‑inch stanchions carry double lifelines with gates and custom‑installed ladders; a stainless stern pulpit includes two boarding gates and a stern light. The forward dorade boxes are guarded by stainless, non‑fouling rails, while three dorade ventilators deliver fresh air to the heads and forward cabin. Opening fenestration is abundant, with eight stainless opening portholes with screens and ten additional stainless opening portholes with screens, plus eight Lexan hatches with screens for ventilation; the companionway has a Lexan sliding hatch and a Lexan‑faced fiberglass sprayhood that neatly houses instruments. A self‑venting LPG locker accepts minimum twenty‑pound bottles. Mooring is simplified by six dock and spring‑line chocks paired to ten‑inch Herreshoff cleats, and twin storage lockers aft swallow cruising gear. Helm ergonomics are superb, with an Edson steering pedestal that consolidates engine controls, autopilot controls, bow‑thruster control, two GPS units, and a Ritchie six‑inch compass; recessed engine instrumentation sits in the starboard coaming, and a manual emergency tiller stands ready. Comfort touches include a teak table with drop leaves, a teak glass holder, and varnished teak grab rails. For sailhandling, the self‑tailing winch package is comprehensive: two Barient 737 electric primaries, two‑speed, with two sets of controls on each side; two Barient 22 secondaries; one Lewmar 54 centerline winch for running backstays and stern anchoring; one Lewmar 54 dedicated to the mainsheet; and three Barient 27 winches on the mast.

Hull

Her striking blue hull carries a white cove stripe and twin white boot stripes above a green bottom, with new hull paint applied in 2016. Construction is robust: hand‑laid FRP in a female mold with a Divinycell core for panel stiffness, single‑skin solid Knyex laminate below the waterline for maximum strength and load‑bearing properties, and Divinycell in the topsides and deck for lightness plus superior thermal and sound insulation. An extensive network of longitudinal stringers and ring frames absorbs rig loads and adds stiffness and strength. A teak rubrail capped by a stainless striker protects the hull alongside. The external cast‑lead ballast carries a Frers‑designed torpedo, secured by oversized keel bolts, while the balanced fiberglass spade rudder with a stainless frame welded to the rudder stock runs on upper and lower bearings.

Sails and rigging

The spar and deck hardware are specified for range and control: a Forespar electric‑furling mast with an offset furling slot combined with an integral full‑hoist center track for a full‑batten mainsail; Navtec rod standing rigging; a forestaysail package with quick‑release lever and running backstays; a complete spinnaker package with pole stowage on the mast and one carbon‑fiber pole; a Seatec hydraulic backstay system with cockpit control panel; a Forespar rigid vang; an insulated backstay for SSB; Sta‑Set halyards and sheets led through Antal stoppers; a masthead combination tri‑color with strobe, four spreader lights and one forward deck light; a Harken mainsheet traveler and controls; new mast paint in 2016; new standing rigging in 2007; and a No‑Strike anti‑lightning antenna. The sail wardrobe is equally capable, featuring a Doyle furling mainsail (2008), a Quantum 130% cruising genoa, a storm trysail, a staysail, and a gennaker.

Mechanical equipment

Power and ship’s systems are configured for reliability: a Yanmar 75 hp diesel showing 4047 hours (12/25) drives through a high‑output alternator with full instrumentation and alarms, enclosed in a heavily insulated engine room with foam/lead soundproofing and an additional enclosure for the generator. A momentary cross‑over to the house bank allows emergency engine starts, while a shore‑water regulator protects onboard plumbing. Safety and serviceability are enhanced by a Halon fire‑control system in the engine room, a high‑water bilge pump that can be diverted to the fridge/freezer for cleaning, and a Spurs line cutter on the shaft. Refrigeration is handled by a Grunert one‑hundred‑ten‑volt stainless holding‑plate system driven by the generator or shore power, and, via the Trace inverter system, under engine power. Freshwater is pressurized with a twelve‑gallon hot‑water heater, and a Sea Recovery watermaker extends range. Domestic comforts include a Splendide 2000 washer/dryer and a Force 10 propane cabin heater (not currently connected). Bilge management is robust, with two Par automatic bilge pumps and two manual Whale bilge pumps, while climate control is provided by three CruiseAir air‑conditioning units serving the guest stateroom, main saloon, and master cabin. All bronze ball‑type seacocks are secured with double hose clamps and supplied with attached wooden plugs, and all waste‑system hoses were replaced in 2002. A comprehensive inventory of spares for the engine, generator, pumps, and more accompanies the vessel.

Additional equipment

Cruising accoutrements are comprehensive: a custom dodger with roll‑down front and an elkhide grab bar (new in 2014) pairs with a custom bimini and full cockpit enclosure (also new in 2014), over full cockpit cushions. Protective covers for the wheel, binnacle, and cocktail table are included, as are custom sheets, blankets, and towels. A capable tender package features an inflatable dinghy, an outboard, and a mini‑davit outboard hoist. Tools and dock lines are aboard, together with four fenders with covers and a fenderboard. Safety gear is equally thorough, including a MOM 8 system, a Lifesling MOB recovery system, two horseshoe rings, eight life jackets, Mustang inflatable vests, safety harnesses, a Class A emergency beacon, two radar reflectors, offshore jacklines that are detachable, binoculars, and a spotlight.

Exclusions

Exclusions include the reserved vessel name and all personal effects.