

First a Note: Nothing says it better than a comment received from an acquaintance who had an opportunity to come aboard Dakare,
As taken from his email:
" Hello Dan n Karen:
Thank you for the response. While I am not a "sailor", I really enjoyed the "eye candy", while you were in Marathon. My favorite place of all is the cockpit of a Sportfisher in the Gulfstream, but I was awed by the work on your boat. That you and Karen assisted with the design to garner additional space, and to fine tune this already beautiful design to just the right boat for you was obvious. The redundancy, and the utility of the boat is really smart."
from: Frankie Cee
Also: When we came up with our initial specifications for this boat, it was 18 pages long. Hylas has provided our specifications to numerous prospective clients since then and as a result, many of our ideas have been included in those boats. This is underscored by the fact that we spent 2 months at the factory while the boat was being built and made countless additional improvements that are not reflected in the original 18 pages of specifications, the one major exception is the way Hylas now insulates the reefer systems. That became a standard. DJPS
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Description
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Comments
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Features
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General:
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This is a high performance cruiser.
Redundancy and engineering excellence has been the guiding light in selecting, installing and integrating systems on board Dakare, while minimizing maintenance to the greatest degree possible and still meeting our esthetic qualifications.
60 days were spent on-site in Taiwan, 5 days with Yanmar in New Jersey and 3 days with Selden in England and over 40 pages of specifications were developed (above and beyond the normal specifications) to convert this yacht from a semi-custom to a truly custom yacht.
The entire teak interior is finished in a high gloss varnish patena providing a warm, inviting and lustrous interior. The sole is solid teak and holly done in a high gloss varnish. All drawer latches are high quality chrome push button with high-resilient plastic fittings for increased longevity and all hinges are polished stainless steel. All floorboards are secured with latches. All interior areas are air conditioned/heated. All hatches have easily opened screens. All ports have screens and privacy covers. Strip accent lighting throughout the interior of the yacht
![]() Rigging has been strengthened above normal standards, chain plates reinforced, and electrical wire upgraded. Every detail was considered, even to the point of building the boat with upgraded AWAB Stainless Steel hose clamps rather than the standard Taiwanese hose clamps. Space was optimized, refrigeration insulation improved, engine room and Genset noise reduced. The list sometimes seems endless. The remaining material on this page is an attempt to consolidate some of the thinking and features built into Dakare. For a full understanding of the capabilities of this vessel, the reader is directed to the other web pages under Dakare's specifications.
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Forward Cabin:
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The large forward cabin contains a walk-around, centerline, queen-size berth with proper mattress, hanging locker, large shelf locker, shelf locker under berth, 2 bookshelves and 2 night tables with underneath storage and 10 upper lockers (5 on each side), additional storage under floor board and under berth, full length mirror, pad eyes for sea berths, 1 Canalupi Picture Light, 2 overhead lights, 2 reading lights, 2 Hella fans and air conditioning/heating controls and one large hatch. A fixed, custom built flashlight holder is located in this area. There is an A/B/C type fire extinguisher with Metal Nozzle mounted on the port bulkhead. Fishing pole mounts (2) and fire extinguisher are located in this cabin. Recessed lighting is under berth. There are separate controls to regulate the air conditioning and heating in the cabin.
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Forward Head:
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Aft and to starboard of the forward cabin is the forward head with separate shower stall, automatic shower drain pump in both the shower stall and head and custom grating in both the shower stall and the head, Wilcox-Crittenden High End Manual toilet, 3 mirrored upper and 1 lower lockers, linen closet, holding tank sentry, and two opening ports and one hatch. The partially louvered doors open to the forward cabin for privacy and to the passageway.
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3rd Stateroom:
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Across the passageway to port is a custom designed the third stateroom with a double birth, vented washer/dryer, tremendous storage under berth, mirror, custom shelf, multiple storage lockers and drawers, 3 overhead side cabinets, custom storage rack, under floor board storage, two opening ports and one hatch.
Additional equipment includes unique venting system to share dryer and cowl, AC 110, DC 12v outlets, 2 reading lights, and a Hella fan. A sliding pocket door opens into the passageway.
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Forward Passageway:
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The passageway houses the mast, a multiple shelf storage for hand held radios, etc charging units and misc. Storage (with AC and DC power outlets) /fishing rod locker and under floor board storage.
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Saloon:
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Aft of the passageway is a large, open salon with recessed bookshelves and 6 fixed picture window ports. There are custom teak blinds for each of the 6 windows. Removable storm shutters are available to cover each of the 6 windows. To port is a large dining area with sliding bench with removable backrest and storage. The enlarged table is fixed and supported by 2 polished stainless steel pedestals mounted onto a large stainless steel plate to stabilize the table, providing a very stable table and larger than found on other Hylas 54's. To starboard is a straight settee that slides out to make a 1 ½ berth with lee cloth for a sea berth with padded leather straps. The settees are covered with cream, commercial grade, genuine German Leather. There are multiple, very large storage areas under and outboard of all settees and 4 large upper lockers, including a liquor locker with custom built wine glass racks and TV locker housing an entertainment system capable of viewing multiple region DVD's, VHF tapes and local, cable, satellite TV and broadcast TV. Six fixed ports with custom fitted teak blinds, two hatches and 2 Hella fans. Lighting include a built-in dual unit Canalupi Picture light, 5 reading lights, 3 variable overhead lights, 2 overhead alcove lights and air conditioning/heating controls provide plenty of light and ventilation. Recessed rope lighting is under both port and starboard settees.
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![]() Multi-region DVD's
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Nav Station:
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Aft and to port of the salon is a very large, sit-down navigation station with extensive instrumentation (see list below), The Nav station on Dakare is 2 feet larger than the standard Hylas 54 nav station arrangement, providing ample room to maneuver and space for the intensive electronic instrumentation components.
![]() There are 2 computer stations with switchable interfaces for the dual built-in GPS's and fully redundant autopilot systems. As can be expected, there is SSB, satellite weather (OCENS),and printer, wind, speed and depth repeater, GPS, radar, communications center, digital panels for power systems management, AC, DC, generator and inverter controls, watermaker operation, manuals book shelf, overhead locker, file drawer, utility drawer and under floor board storage, multiple phone jacks, multiple AC outlets, 2 Hella fans and lighting including a chart light, 1 reading light, 2 overhead lights, and an under nav table light. 2 additional lights have been built into the wiring closet for the nav station. Recessed rope lights are under nav station.
![]() Engine room repeaters, in addition to the ones located in the cockpit, are mounted at the Nav station. Repeaters include oil pressure, water temperature, fuel and water separator monitor and alarm and a Fireboy engine room fire monitor. There is a comfortable, fixed positioned, hydraulic Aeron swivel chair that provides excellent seating.
Below are examples of some of Dakare's advanced electronic systems
![]() Real-time Satellite Weather Imagery Example
![]() Example of AIS On Dakare
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Center Island:
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Inboard of the navigation station is an island with open upper access to the galley housing an electronic keyboard with AC power (which can alternatively be used as a large chart storage drawer), chart table, custom Scanvik brushed stainless steel double galley sink and Corian countertop, utility locker, companionway steps and one opening port. The engine room can be accessed from all sides of the island. The companionway steps have been modified to include a special locking mechanism, (Dakare was the first to incorporate this locking mechanism) and a custom built key holder (no other Hylas has this) for the lock mechanism. A fixed, custom built-in flashlight holder and an A/B/C fire extinguisher with Metal Nozzle are located in this area.
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Galley:
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Aft of the salon to starboard is the seaway secure galley located in the walk-through to the aft cabin. The extended galley (1 foot longer than the standard Hylas 54) is maximized for storage. The Corian counter tops are trimmed with varnished Teak. Galley counter space is over 400 cm / 10 ft and contains 20 lockers and drawers including a large pan locker, 1 tall pantry and 2 deep pantries (Huge), waste basket and 2 sliding door garages. It is equipped with a 4 burner Broadwater stove, oven and broiler, a built-in microwave, Corian countertops, 2 custom knife racks, a custom made silverware draw, AC outlets, refrigeration temperature gauges, automatic lights for the top loading freezer and 2 refrigerators, 3 Hella fans, a propane sensing unit, smoke/fire detector, salt and fresh water foot pumps, refrigerator and sink drainage pumps under floor board storage and 4 opening ports. The engine room can be accessed by an additional set of double doors. Indented toe space under counter (Dakare is the only Hylas with this) with recessed lighting. Type B/C Fire Extinguisher with Metal Nozzle
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Master Suite:
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Aft of the galley is the spacious master suite with a walk-around queen-size, centerline berth and proper custom fabricated mattress. Completing the stateroom are double bookshelves at the head of the berth and 2 bookshelves by port and starboard view ports, a comfortable ultra suede covered lounge seat, a hidden computer desk with AC outlet, a large hanging locker, a shelf locker under the berth and below floor board and a full length mirror. There are phone and TV jacks, 3 AC 110 outlets, 2 DC 12v outlets, stereo speakers and volume control and 2 upgraded Hella fans, Canalupi reading lights, 2 overhead lights, Ray Marine instrumentation Tridata repeater, air conditioning/heating controls, pad eyes for sea berths, 4 opening, 2 fixed ports with curtains and a large hatch. Recessed Rope lighting under berth. A large opening hatch in the overhead provides emergency egress and is fitted with a screen and a polished stainless steel security guard built into overhead hatch..Like the other cabins, there is a custom built-in flashlight holder in the master state room.
For additional security, there is a custom built security alarm system that engages all external shipboard lights (deck lights, strobe, transom lights, cockpit light, boom light, etc. and alarm horn) located in easy reach of berth.
There are separate controls to regulate the air conditioning and heating in the cabin.
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Aft Head:
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Forward and port is the connecting ensuite aft head with separate shower stall, automatic shower drain pump in both the shower stall and head and custom grating in both the shower stall and the head, Jabsco electric toilet, 3 mirrored upper and 1 lower lockers, linen closet, magazine rack mirror, laundry closet, holding tank sentry, trash locker, upper and lower shower head holders, folding teak seat in the shower room and two opening ports. The engine room can be accessed through the shower. Holding tank indicator lights and pump-out controls, AC outlets inside mirrored locker and above sink counter top.
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Cockpit:
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The fully enclosed cockpit with hardtop dodger contains a fully instrumented helm station with speed, depth, wind indicators and a Northstar 941 Graphic GPS unit above the companionway and compass, bow thruster control and autopilot control at the helm. The spacious cockpit contains "U" shaped seating with very comfortable seat and back cushions and a solid teak varnished table with teak drink holder. Cockpit LCD monitor for repeating navigational charts in cockpit. Also capable of displaying TV signals. Windlass repeater controls and counter located in cockpit. Additional cockpit lighting. Extra ports installed in cockpit and the external flanges have been shaved to prevent cuts on ankles that is so typical of this type of installation.
![]() Pedestal, Wheel and Instruments
![]() Companionway Instrument Console
![]() Looking Aft from mast into Cockpit
![]() Looking Aft, Cockpit Cushions w Arm Rest
The cockpit was built with removable companionway doors that include removable ventilation slides. Additionally, there is a stainless Steel security grate that fits into the companionway to provide additional security. The cockpit, with the inclusion of the all round dodger / bimini combination with side curtains has proven to be quite dry and comfortable in severe and / or inclement conditions offshore. We have found it unnecessary to put on our foul weather gear offshore and so our foul weather gear has been relegated to being used when we step ashore. All instrumentation displays and sheets & lines are terminated in the cockpit, so there is little need to go on deck while offshore. We normally go on deck to either reel in a fish or fly our spinnaker.
Cockpit Controls for:
Indicator Lights, Meters and Alarms:
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Hull & Deck:
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This is a serious blue water cruising boat and is perfect for coastal cruising. It is a cutter rigged sloop with Selden spars. At the bow are double anchors with a Lighthouse dual capstan /gypsy setup, dual rode access ports, a very large sail locker and anchor chain rode locker set up to handle two sets of chain and rode for the dual bow anchors. At the stern, the stainless steel arch and dinghy davits doubles as a support for additional antennae, full length awning, quick set-up aft sun shade, Gas cooking grill and the outboard engine, including a rotating dinghy engine lift and an integrated dinghy lift capable of lifting the 12 foot RIB.
![]() Dual Open and Closed Chocks
![]() Stern Deck showing fish table, hydraulic backstay and Compact Passerelle (in folded storage position on left of picture)
![]() Dual Anchors and Snubber
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