Helms 24

Helms 24
Development
DesignerStuart Windley
LocationUnited States
Year1977
No. built750
Builder(s)Jack A. Helms Co.
RoleCruiser
NameHelms 24
Boat
Displacement4,200 lb (1,905 kg)
Draft4.17 ft (1.27 m)
Hull
Typemonohull
Constructionfiberglass
LOA23.92 ft (7.29 m)
LWL20.83 ft (6.35 m)
Beam8.83 ft (2.69 m)
Engine typeoutboard motor
Hull appendages
Keel/board typefin keel
Ballast1,850 lb (839 kg)
Rudder(s)transom-mounted rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
I foretriangle height30.50 ft (9.30 m)
J foretriangle base10.50 ft (3.20 m)
P mainsail luff25.50 ft (7.77 m)
E mainsail foot9.00 ft (2.74 m)
Sails
Sailplanmasthead sloop
Mainsail area114.75 sq ft (10.661 m2)
Jib/genoa area160.13 sq ft (14.877 m2)
Total sail area274.88 sq ft (25.537 m2)
Racing
PHRF234

The Helms 24 is an American trailerable sailboat that was designed by Stuart Windley as a cruiser and first built in 1977.[1][2][3]

Production

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The design was built by Jack A. Helms Co., a furniture maker in Irmo, South Carolina, United States. Production was started in 1977 with 750 boats completed in total, but it is now out of production.[1][3][4]

Design

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The Helms 24 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem, a plumb transom, a transom-hung rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel or optional shoal draft keel. It displaces 4,200 lb (1,905 kg) and carries 1,850 lb (839 kg) of ballast.[1][3]

The boat has a draft of 4.17 ft (1.27 m) with the standard keel and 3.00 ft (0.91 m) with the optional shoal draft keel.[1][3]

The boat is normally fitted with a small 4 to 8 hp (3 to 6 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering. A Yanmar 1GM10 diesel inboard engine was optional.[1][3]

The design has sleeping accommodation for five people, with a double "V"-berth in the bow cabin and two straight settees in the main cabin, with the port one able to be converted into a double. The galley is located on the starboard side at the companionway ladder. The galley is L-shaped and is equipped with a two-burner stove, icebox and a sink. The head is located just aft of the bow cabin on both sides and includes a sink. Cabin headroom is 68 in (173 cm).[1][3]

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 234 and a hull speed of 6.1 kn (11.3 km/h).[3]

Operational history

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In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "the brochure says she sleeps five, with the port settee converting to a double. But even assuming the starboard settee extends aft under the stove for foot room, it's hard to imagine five full-sized humans sleeping aboard comfortably, especially with the kiddy-sized V-berth forward. Best features: With her wide beam and high sheer, her space ... and headroom are much better than her comp[etitor]s. Her longer waterline and higher B/D ratio also help in the speed department, as indicated by her lower PHRF rating. Worst features: There may have been problems with leakage around the external lead keel seam..."[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f McArthur, Bruce (2020). "Helms 24 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  2. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Stuart Windley". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Henkel, Steve: The Sailor's Book of Small Cruising Sailboats, page 293. International Marine/McGraw-Hill, 2010. ISBN 978-0-07-163652-0
  4. ^ McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Helms - Jack A. Helms Co. 1974 - 1984". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
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