Smooth sailing at the factory will better serve our clients

We live in a world that increasingly demands accelerated lead times with almost immediate product delivery. Hylas has carefully considered what this means for yachts being presented to the new-build market. Some may consider bringing a completed yacht to the US to sell is courageous, but we feel it is simply adapting to satisfy market demand.

The first of two “Boat of the Year” Hylas H57s that will be on display in southeast Florida this spring has just left the factory and will be arriving in Fort Lauderdale in March.

Many small modifications are made as each new yacht is launched and their respective owners identify some great additions or substitutions. Our yard and service team take great care to listen carefully to the thoughts of our clients to ensure the Hylas evolution continues to be relevant and stays true to the premise of the original design. There has been an increased focus by prospective clients on lead times, uncertainty of the future and the need to experience our yachts firsthand before buying decisions can be made. Here is how Hylas has chosen to address those concerns.

Lead times—Historically there has been up to an 18-month lead time between agreement signing and a yacht being ready for delivery. Here is why Andy Huang CEO believes building out complete yachts is the right thing to do. “A final spec traditionally requires a great deal of research and education on the part of the new owner. In recent years as technology has revolutionized construction processes, raw materials, navigation, communication, boat systems, ease of handling and reliability. Yacht buyers are expecting manufacturers to guide them to the best choices for their yachts. With six Hylas H57s now in the hands of very capable owners in the US. There have been far more similarities between these yachts than you might expect. The demand for carte blanche style customization no
longer exists.”

Uncertainty—Most owners are more comfortable with seeing what they are buying in its completed form rather than trying to visualize a finished product from renderings. There is also the “what if” anxiety. What if in 18 months there is some new technology that should be being used? What if there is some major interruption to shipping as seen with covid?

From a manufacturing standpoint the only way to overcome these traditional challenges is to build a complete yacht then find an owner for whom the yacht ticks all the boxes – A high risk and potentially costly strategy. Or is it really?

Yacht buyers have come to expect “base pricing” plus options costs that will add significantly to the required budget. If there are some very clear preferences and commonality of options choices amongst new buyers, then why not make this part of a turnkey factory spec? With enough commonality the risk of not finding a home for the yacht diminishes significantly. Of course, sticker price is important but that doesn’t hold up beyond the second glance. A yacht like the Hylas H57 must represent quality and value.

Some of the more popular options now included are bow & stern thrusters, extended hard tops to accommodate helm enclosure and solar power, the use white oak versus teak for cabinetry, in-mast furling systems, hydraulic swim platforms and deck wings, davits, water makers and lithium batteries. These are just a few.

Hylas has made the decision to build two complete factory spec yachts that will be arriving in the in the United States for March and June of 2024.

Virtual factory tour—As these two yachts are approaching completion now would be a great time to enjoy a virtual factory tour. You will see the yachts in build, meet the manufacturing team, perhaps add a personal touch. In person visits are also highly recommended. We would happily challenge anyone to find more gracious and generous hospitality anywhere in the world.