1987 Hylas 49 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS — Comparison
1987 Hylas 49
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1987 Hylas 49 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hylas | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1987–1998 | 2008–2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | Taiwan | France |
| Designer | German Frers | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.94 m (49.0 ft) | 16.60 m (54.5 ft) |
| LWL | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.60 m (47.9 ft) |
| Beam | 4.27 m (14.0 ft) | 4.80 m (15.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 15,422 kg (34,000 lbs) | 16,800 kg (37,038 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 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 | 100 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 650 L (171.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1987 Hylas 49 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1987 Hylas 49 is a 1980s design by Hylas from Taiwan, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1987 Hylas 49 was penned by German Frers. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1987 Hylas 49 measures 14.94m (49.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.27m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS at 16.60m (54.5ft) with a 4.80m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS is 1.66m longer than the 1987 Hylas 49. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS displaces approximately 9% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS, with an SA/D of 18.58 and 120.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS has a comfort ratio of 13.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1987 Hylas 49 and 30.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 650L water and 350L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54 DS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.