1998 Hylas 49

Sparkman & Stephens Pedigree, Queen Long Craftsmanship, Bluewater Capability

MARA is the sort of yacht that built the Hylas reputation: substantial underfoot, handsome from every angle, and engineered for owners who care more about real passagemaking ability than dockside fashion. Designed by Sparkman & Stephens and built by Queen Long Marine, this 1998 Hylas 49 blends the reassuring feel of a proper offshore cruiser with the comfort, storage, and liveaboard practicality that make extended time aboard enjoyable rather than compromising. Her center-cockpit layout, raised freeboard, and sugar-scoop stern create a yacht that is secure at sea, easy to move around on, and welcoming at anchor.

Below, MARA offers a warm teak interior with a true three-cabin, two-head arrangement, a large aft owner’s suite, a separate forward guest zone, and the kind of galley, systems access, and tankage that matter when the horizon is a long way off. She has clearly been outfitted with cruising in mind, with features such as bow thruster assistance, climate control, hydronic heat, solar charging, dual refrigeration, and excellent ventilation. For sailors seeking a proven bluewater platform with authentic pedigree and the volume to cruise seriously, MARA presents a compelling opportunity.

Key Features:

• Sparkman & Stephens-designed Hylas 49 with center-cockpit bluewater layout and proven offshore pedigree
• Three-cabin, two-head interior including aft owner’s suite, forward V-berth cabin, and separate port bunk cabin
• Yanmar 85 hp diesel with approximately 5,000 hours and outstanding multi-side engine access
• Onan 6.5 kW generator with approximately 755 hours
• Vetus bow thruster for easier close-quarters maneuvering
• Three-zone Cruisair air conditioning and heat plus hydronic heating under the dinette
• Selden in-mast furling cutter rig with standing rigging and lifelines replaced in 2018
• Solar charging array with multiple Renogy Rover MPPT charge controllers
• Coppercoated bottom and Maxwell 2200 windlass rebuilt – May 2021
• Apex 9’ RIB tender with 9.8 hp Mercury outboard

Interior Accommodations & Layout

MARA presents the warm, traditional character that has long made Hylas yachts so appealing to serious cruisers. The interior is finished in rich teak joinery with louvered locker doors, solid teak trim, and a teak-and-holly sole, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and durable. Natural light and airflow are excellent throughout, with multiple opening ports and overhead hatches helping the yacht feel bright and well ventilated below decks.

Descending the companionway, the main saloon opens with a U-shaped dinette to port and a straight settee to starboard. The navigation station is immediately to port at the base of the companionway, keeping communications and ship’s systems close at hand. To starboard, the linear walkthrough galley is positioned for secure meal preparation underway and leads aft into the private owner’s cabin with island queen berth and en-suite head. Forward of the saloon, a separate guest area includes a V-berth stateroom, a port bunk cabin, and a second head with separate shower stall.

Interior Styling and Additional Features:

• Extensive teak joinery with classic Hylas offshore character
• Teak-and-holly cabin sole
• Excellent ventilation with 9 opening ports and 6 overhead hatches per inventory
• New saloon upholstery and foam – 2024
• Battery-operated floor lights and motion/sensor lighting in cabinets and beneath seating
• Screens for all windows

MAIN SALOON

The main saloon is comfortable, secure, and properly arranged for life offshore. Seating is generous on both sides, storage is abundant, and there are ample handholds throughout for safe movement underway. The dinette to port is suited for dining, passage planning, or relaxing at anchor, while the starboard settee can serve as an excellent sea berth on passage.

• U-shaped dinette to port with retractable bench
• Starboard settee converts to a secure sea berth
• New upholstery and foam – 2024
• Abundant storage beneath seating and in surrounding cabinetry
• Ample handholds throughout for security underway

MASTER STATEROOM

Located aft for privacy and comfort, the owner’s stateroom is one of MARA’s standout features. The centerline queen berth makes the space feel more like a proper cabin than a compromise typical of smaller cruising yachts, while surrounding teak cabinetry, drawers, and lockers provide excellent storage for extended living aboard.

• Centerline queen berth
• Private en-suite head with separate stall shower
• Hanging locker, drawers, and built-in shelving
• Opening ports and overhead hatch for light and ventilation

Master Head

The owner’s en-suite head is arranged for practical offshore use while still offering the comfort expected of a quality cruising yacht. A separate shower stall keeps the space drier and more usable than a typical wet-head arrangement, and the teak joinery and Corian-style surfaces are durable and easy to maintain.

• Separate shower stall
• Private access from owner’s cabin
• Durable solid-surface countertop
• Built-in storage for toiletries and towels
• Opening portlight for ventilation

VIP STATEROOM

Forward accommodations are well suited for guests or family, with a spacious V-berth cabin that enjoys privacy from the main saloon and convenient access to the forward head. The arrangement gives the bow area the feel of a separate guest suite.

• Full-size V-berth
• Private access and separation from main saloon
• Direct access to forward head with separate shower stall
• Good storage and practical offshore layout

VIP Head

The forward head serves the VIP cabin and the adjacent port bunk cabin. As with the aft head, the separate shower stall is a valuable feature for extended cruising, helping keep the vanity and toilet areas clean and dry.

• Separate shower stall
• Conveniently located for both forward cabins
• Durable solid-surface finish and quality hardware

GUEST CABIN (PORT)

To port in the forward accommodation area, MARA includes a separate bunk cabin that works well as a guest cabin, children’s cabin, or dedicated offshore storage space. Its location and enclosed layout make it a versatile addition for cruising families or passagemaking couples carrying extra gear.

• Separate enclosed cabin
• Bunk berth arrangement
• Convenient access to forward head
• Useful as guest cabin or dedicated storage space

Galley

The starboard walkthrough galley is one of the most practical features of the Hylas 49 design. Its narrow, linear layout allows the cook to brace securely while underway, and its position between the cockpit access and aft cabin keeps traffic flow logical without sacrificing usable workspace.

• Princess three-burner propane stove with oven
• Built-in microwave
• Long, secure walkthrough layout for offshore cooking
• Dedicated knife storage and generous cabinetry
• Dual Seafrost DC 5000 refrigeration units – 2006
• Original teak refrigeration door fronts retained

Navigation & Electronics

NAVIGATION STATION

The navigation station is positioned just inside the companionway to port, where it serves as the operational hub for passage planning, communications, and electrical management. It is close enough to the cockpit for easy communication with the helm while still remaining protected below.

• Dedicated chart storage and navigation workspace
• Immediate access to AC/DC breaker panels
• Integrated cabinetry for manuals and ship’s documents
• Excellent visibility and natural light from companionway area

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

MARA is equipped with a practical mix of sailing instruments, communication gear, charging systems, and onboard monitoring suited to coastal cruising and longer offshore work. The electronics package reflects thoughtful owner use and includes both cockpit and nav-station chartplotters, AIS/VHF capability, inverter capacity, and solar support.

• Garmin GPSMAP 1242 Touch chartplotter at helm
• Garmin GPSMAP 4210 chartplotter at navigation station
• B&G wind, depth, and temperature instruments – wind speed not currently reading knots, angle only
• B&G Hy-Pro autopilot with ML+40 linear actuator drive
• Standard Horizon Matrix AIS/GPS GX2200 VHF
• Ritchie 5” Navigator compass
• Mastervolt 12V / 3000W inverter-charger with EasyView 5 monitor – May 2021
• Additional Eastwood pure sine inverter 1000W / 2000W max – 2019
• Solar array with three Renogy Rover 20A MPPT controllers
• Battery bank includes (2) 8D 230Ah and (2) 4D batteries – 4D batteries dated 2/2026
• Fusion MS-IP600 stereo and Boss MGR350B – July 2021
• Supersonic flatscreen TV
• Electric oil change system for engine and generator
• Superwind wind generator – currently inoperable
• Xintex propane monitor and dual bilge pump alarm system

HELM STATION

• Center cockpit helm with protective coamings
• Pedestal binnacle with folding teak cockpit table
• Engine and sailing instruments positioned for short-handed use

Construction & Key Features of the Hull and Deck

HULL

The Hylas 49 is respected for robust offshore construction and a sea-kindly Sparkman & Stephens hull form. Built with a solid hand-laid fiberglass hull and reinforced structure, MARA offers the substantial feel, directional stability, and confidence that have made these yachts enduring bluewater favorites.

• Solid hand-laid fiberglass hull
• Twaron/aramid reinforcement in high-stress areas
• Heavy-duty internal stringer/grid structure
• Lead keel with substantial keel bolts
• Rudder post repacked – 2023 

DECK

The deck layout balances offshore security with cruising comfort. Raised freeboard helps keep the deck dry in a seaway while also contributing to the yacht’s interior volume, and the reverse transom with integrated boarding platform improves access from dinghy or dock.

• Raised freeboard for drier decks and increased interior volume
• Sugar-scoop stern with integrated boarding/swim access
• Stainless-capped rub rail integrated into hull-to-deck joint
• Rocna 33 kg / 72 lb primary anchor
• 50 lb CQR secondary anchor and Fortress storm anchor
• 250’ anchor chain
• Maxwell 2200 windlass rebuilt – May 2021
• Deck/anchor washdown system – currently inoperable
• Boarding ladder
• 4-person liferaft – service expiration 2018

COCKPIT

• Deep, secure center cockpit
• Pedestal binnacle with 6” Ritchie compass
• Folding varnished teak cockpit table
• Useful coaming storage cubbies
• Cockpit enclosure / sunshade and canvas
• Cockpit cushions recovered – 2026
• Three propane tanks 

MAST AND RIGGING

• Keel-stepped mast
• Selden in-mast furling system
• Main furling system rebuilt – 2021
• Cutter rig
• Standing rigging and lifelines replaced – 2018
• Lines led aft to cockpit for short-handed sail handling
• Running backstays for staysail support in heavy weather
• Air draft approximately 64’

SAILS AND WINCHES

• Mainsail – 2018
• Genoa – 2018
• (2) Lewmar electric 64 primary winches
• (3) Lewmar 48 winches

Ship Systems

ENGINE AND MECHANICAL

One of the Hylas 49’s most appreciated design strengths is its mechanical access. Rather than burying the engine beneath a cramped companionway, the center-cockpit arrangement allows multi-sided access through the walkthrough, companionway, nav station, and aft cabin areas. For owners who maintain their own boat or cruise far from service yards, this is a major advantage.

• Yanmar 4JH2-DTE 85 hp diesel – approximately 5,000 hours
• Excellent engine access from multiple sides
• Dual Racor fuel filters
• Fuel manifold system for tank selection
• Cutlass bearing replaced – 2019
• Exhaust replaced and new dripless shaft seal installed – 2022
• Lead-lined sound insulation around engine space

PLUMBING AND TANKAGE

Tankage aboard MARA supports serious cruising use, with substantial fuel and water capacity and straightforward system layouts.

• Fuel capacity – 145 gal total in 2 aluminum tanks
• Water capacity – 220 gal total in 4 tanks per inventory breakdown
• Holding capacity – 2 fiberglass tanks / 50 gal total
• Aft holding tank in regular use
• Forward holding tank presently disconnected, parts retained
• Village Marine watermaker – pickled / unused for approximately 7 years

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

• Mastervolt 12V / 3000W inverter-charger with EasyView 5 monitor – May 2021
• 3-stage 40A battery charger
• Solar charging system with multiple MPPT controllers
• Battery bank includes (2) 8D 230Ah and (2) 4D batteries
• Cruisair reverse-cycle climate control, 3 zones
• Hydronic heating system under dinette
• Vetus bow thruster
• Battery-operated floor and accent lighting

AUDIO/VISUAL AND ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT

• Fusion stereo system
• Boss MGR350B stereo component – July 2021
• Supersonic flatscreen TV

Safety

• 4-person liferaft – service expiration 2018
• Dual bilge pump alarm system
• Xintex propane monitor
• Flares
• Ditch bag
• Sextant

Tender

• Apex 9’ RIB tender
• 9.8 hp Mercury outboard
• Dinghy davit system

Additional Information

BROKER’S COMMENTS

MARA offers the blend of pedigree, workmanship, and practical cruising features that has kept the Hylas 49 highly regarded among serious sailors. She is not a stripped-down racer-cruiser or a marina condo pretending to be a passagemaker; she is a genuine offshore sailing yacht with the layout, systems access, storage, and construction to support real use. For an owner seeking a respected Sparkman & Stephens design with a proper center-cockpit arrangement and comfortable liveaboard capability, MARA deserves close attention.

• Sparkman & Stephens design / Queen Long build
• Three-cabin, two-head cruising interior
• Proven center-cockpit offshore platform
• Strong systems access and practical maintenance layout
• Well suited for Chesapeake cruising, coastal passagemaking, and extended voyaging

Disclaimer

The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.

Listing MLS by Yachtr.com