Helsen Yachts

Helsen Yachts was an American sailboat manufacturer founded in the early 1970s by Dutch-born naval architect Johannes "Jopie" Helsen, operating primarily out of Saint Petersburg, Florida, under the umbrella of Helsen Yacht Corp. and later International Yacht Corp. (IYC). Specializing in affordable, trailerable fiberglass sailboats designed for coastal cruising and novice sailors, the company produced a lineup of compact models emphasizing ease of handling, shallow draft, and weekend-ready accommodations, with production peaking in the mid-1970s before winding down as Helsen shifted focus to other ventures like Universal Marine Corp. and International Yacht Corp. in nearby Clearwater. The firm's innovative designs, including roller jib reefing as standard, catered to the growing demand for lightweight, seaworthy pocket cruisers; however, by the late 1970s, many molds were sold or adapted—most notably, the Helsen 22's tooling evolved into the Watkins 23 (built by Watkins Yachts starting in 1974 with Helsen's permission) and the Apollo 21.