Helms 24 (25, 26?)... etc.

[s/v Faith]

I have a slipmate with a Helms 24 for sale.  He has had it listed on Craig's list for some time.

IIRC, one of the guys in our club in NC had a Helms, but IIRC it was larger (25, 26' ?)

A friend asked me about the boat, anyone know much about them?

For sake of reference, here is some info;

6ft. headroom. All new cushions and upholstry. New all-grip paint. New bottom paint (April 2010). Electronics. 15 horsepower Honda 4-stroke.

15 hp! (~4200#)  :o








Link to basic info here.

[s/v Faith]

More info found on this blog;

Helms Yachts were built in South Carolina during the 1970s and early 1980s by Jack Helms. Only 600-800 boats were built. Jack supposedly peronally delivered every boat. The company's first boat was the Helms 25. Jack Helms said that he wanted to create a "better Catalina 22." Sometime in the 1970s a 25 won its class in the MORC.

Eventually a 27 was added, followed by the 30 which was eventually replaced by a 32 footer. Several hundred of the 24, 25, 27 and 30 foot boats were built, but only 10 of the 32 foot were ever built.

As previously mentioned, the Helms 25 was created to be a "better Catalina 22". The Helms 25 looks very similar (almost identical) to the Catalina 22 except for a 3 foot extension to the cockpit. This extension allows the Helms to seat 6 in the cockpit while cruising or four while racing. The C22 only seats a maximum of 4.

Both boats are swing keel designs which makes them popular with trailer-sailors. They also feature a tiller-rudder and sloop rigged sails. Our particular Helms 25 has the following sail inventory: main, storm jib, genoa, and spinnaker.

The cabin features a v-berth forward, convertible dinette to port, sink, built-in cooler, and settee/single berth to starboard. There's also space for a porta-potti, but the potti is absent. We'll likely use a milk jug or "Dawn" bottle for our latrine.

[s/v Faith]

....Link to basic info here.

Hull Type:     Fin Keel    Rig Type:     Masthead Sloop
LOA:     23.92' / 7.29m    LWL:     20.83' / 6.35m
Beam:     8.83' / 2.69m    Listed SA:     275 ft2 / 25.55 m2
Draft (max.)     4.17' / 1.27m    Draft (min.)    
Disp.     4200 lbs./ 1905 kgs.    Ballast:     1850 lbs. / 839 kgs.
Designer:     Stuart Windley
Builder:     Jack A. Helms Co. (USA)
Construct.:     FG    Bal. type:     Lead
First Built:     1977    Last Built:         # Built:     750
RIG DIMENSIONS  KEY
I:     30.50' / 9.30m    J:     10.50' / 3.20m
P:     25.50' / 7.77m    E:     9.00' / 2.74m
PY:         EY:    
SPL:         ISP:    
SA(Fore.):     160.13 ft2 / 14.88 m2    SA(Main):     114.75 ft2 / 10.66 m2
Total(calc.)SA:      274.88 ft2 / 25.54 m2
SA/Disp:     16.94    Est. Forestay Len.:     32.26' / 9.83m
BUILDERS (past & present)
More about & boats built by:      Helms - Jack A. Helms Co.

It is funny, I found this picture here;



Really looks much more like a 'stretch Catalina 22' in this picture (earlier production?)

[s/v Faith]

Have any of you sailed one?  Any specific, first hand issues to suggest he look out for?

Thanks,