Helms 27
Description
The Helms 27 is a classic fiberglass monohull sailboat, designed by Stuart Windley and produced by Jack A. Helms Co. in the United States from 1978 to 1987, with approximately 600 units built, making it a popular choice for coastal cruising and recreational sailing. Measuring 27 feet in overall length with a beam of 9 feet 2 inches, a displacement of 6,000 pounds, and a ballast ratio of 40%, it features a fin keel with spade rudder configuration, offering stable and reasonably responsive performance with a sail area/displacement ratio indicating good speed potential for its size. Equipped with a masthead sloop rig and typically powered by an outboard or small inboard auxiliary engine, the Helms 27 provides modest accommodations for 4-5 people, including a V-berth forward, settees, and a compact galley/head, while its moderate weight and stiff hull make it suitable for day sails, weekend getaways, or short offshore passages like those along the Intracoastal Waterway,
Construction Details
| Designer | Stuart G. Windley |
|---|---|
| Builder | Jack A Helms Co. |
| Length | 26.830 ft |
| LOA | 26.830 ft |
| LWL | 21.580 ft |
| Beam | 9.670 ft |
| Displacement | 6200 lb |
| Max Draft | 4.300 ft |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 35 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 11.25 ft |
| p | 30 ft |
| e | 10 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 ft | 11.25 ft | 30 ft | 10 ft | - | - | - | - |
Documents
Sails
Helms 27 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 30 ft - (9144 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 10 ft - (3048 mm) |
| Leech | * 31.08 ft - (9473 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 31.29 ft - (9537 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 4.5 in - (114 mm) |
| Area | * 154.75 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Helms 27 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 29.41 ft - (8964 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 14.91 ft - (4545 mm) |
| Leech | * 25.53 ft - (7782 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115.02 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 12.94 ft - (3944 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 11.95 ° |
| Area | * 190.31 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Helms 27 - GENOA
| Luff | * 34.93 ft - (10647 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 18.18 ft - (5541 mm) |
| Leech | * 32.85 ft - (10013 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150.04 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 16.88 ft - (5145 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.97 ° |
| Area | * 294.82 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Helms 27 - GENOA
| Luff | 32.67 ft - (9958 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 16.33 ft - (4977 mm) |
| Leech | 30.75 ft - (9373 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 135.2 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 15.21 ft - (4636 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.53 ° |
| Area | * 248.45 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Helms 27 - GENOA
| Luff | 34 ft - (10363 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 16.04 ft - (4889 mm) |
| Leech | 32 ft - (9754 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 133.16 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 14.98 ft - (4566 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.09 ° |
| Area | * 254.72 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Helms 27 - DRIFTER
| Luff | * 34.93 ft - (10647 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 18.91 ft - (5764 mm) |
| Leech | * 31.34 ft - (9552 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 150.04 % |
| Length Perp | * 16.88 ft - (5145 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 8.97 ° |
| Area | * 294.81 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Helms 27 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | * 34.93 ft - (10647 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 18.56 ft - (5657 mm) |
| Leech | * 32.14 ft - (9796 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 486 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Helms 27 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 34.93 ft - (10647 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 20.25 ft - (6172 mm) |
| Foot | * 20.25 ft - (6172 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 601 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.