2001 Hylas 54 Raised Saloon | 54ft

QING is a Hylas 54 Raised Saloon commission by Hylas UK. Unlike many yachts built for Hylas US (a different company, but also constructed at Queen Long Marine), QING is fully compliant with the EU’s Recreational Craft Directive and is CE-classified as Category A – Ocean 

Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:

• The hull is hand laid up using TWARON; a carbon aramid (Kevlar) fibre with alternating FRP (fibre reinforced plastic) glass layup. Additional layers of TWARON are used in the bow section for increased impact resistance (TWARON can in certain circumstances be considered as stronger than steel, without the disadvantages of weight, corrosion and forming issues).A solid laminate (i.e. no core) is used for maximum strength and longevity. 
• Modern vinylester resins and isophthalic gelcoats are used for increased resistance to the effects of osmosis. The gelcoat finish is white with blue style lines. Below the waterline, the hull is yet further protected from the effects of osmosis by a two barrier coats of epoxy. Coppercoat has applied on top. The hull sides feature a teak rubbing strake with stainless steel capping. This rubbing strake runs the length of the hull sides. The bow area is further protected by a stainless-steel strike plate in the general anchor area. A protective stainless-steel plate can also be found at the transom.
• The transom has had two custom built S/S plates fixed to port and starboard for the attachment of the Jordan sea drogue (300ft) which is included (2018).
• All hulls antifoul was removed in 2015 and the hull was Copper coated. Touch ups of copper coat (2024).
• Internally, a watertight collision bulkhead is found forward of the VIP cabin with independent overboard drainage. This void is usefully adopted as a large forward locker area suitable for fenders, sails, or even inflatable dinghies. This area extends forward to give access to the anchor locker. Aft are watertight stern sections protecting the owner’s cabin from water ingress to the aft lazarettes and stern lockers.
• In addition to the aft lazarette and stern lockers, there are also two gas lockers (port & starboard) supplying propane for gas cooker.
• Balsa-cored GRP deck & superstructure (coring is used to provide greater insulation against heat and noise) with solid GRP laminate used beneath deck fittings and in high-stress areas. 
• The raised saloon features large windows coated in lightly tinted film reducing heat penetration by 50% and UV by 99%. This same coating is applied to the stainless steel portlights. The saloon windows can be protected in storm conditions by full set of custom-made stainless steel & Perspex storm boards (stored in forward locker). Pull-down blinds are fitted to the insides of the raised saloon windows.
• The deck and forward coach roof are overlaid with hand-picked teak planking. Areas not covered in teak are finished in a high quality grey non-slip GRP finish. The cockpit seating and bathing platform are also teak laid with the cockpit sole benefiting from a solid teak grating allowing free drainage to the cockpit drains beneath.
• All caulking raked out and replaced. A three-month job. Any legacy holes from the original fitting of the teak were epoxied. The deck was lightly sanded (2019). The teak has plenty of thickness left.
• A raised solid teak bulwark is fitted along the lengths of the deck with stainless steel fairleads in way of mooring cleats. The superstructure and forward coach roof also feature stainless steel or teak grab rails to allow safe access fore & aft.

Keel & Rudder:

• The keel is a fin section with a slight bulb to the base. The keel material is solid lead, attached to the GRP bilge with 35mm acid-resistant stainless-steel bolt with transverse mounted 8mm backing plates.
• The rudder is a semi-skegged GRP blade offering the ideal compromise of performance with the all-important strength and protection of the skeg. The draft of the rudder is less than the keel, to ensure full protection in case of accidental grounding. 
• The rudder was rebuilt in 2015 and all bearings replaced.