Helia 44: Helm Station

[Gordon]

The helm position is similar to the Salina/Sanya and the other cats in their range, the addition of a sun lounge/seat on the roof is a change, a little like the Sanya. Catana also have the rooftop sunbed on the 47.
The winch positioned on the port side is for the genaker/spinaker option.
The sail plan is similar to the Orana, the main is 6 square meters more and genoa is the same.

Cheers Gordon.

[Gordon]

Nasa. Dito re the wind in your face, I enjoy the elements and if its that bad the autopilot control in the saloon makes life easier. Please give us your impression of your boat looking forward to April/May next year.

[Cotemar]

I would move the three Garmin instruments from the Instrument control panel to the winch bulkhead,
because you can only see them when sitting.

1) Better visibility for Captain when standing
2) Winch person can see instruments also
3) Will be able to see instruments from cockpit and lower table

[Cotemar]

More Helm and winch control pics

[Cotemar]

Here is a few picture of SeaDame's new Hard top Helm Bimini. He had a company in Florida make it for him.

They did a great job from what I had seen.

[DtM]

I must say I don't understand the need for a bimini (hard or soft) over the helm station. I suspect I am in the minority but there we go.

[Gpolar]

Just wonder how this bimni can hold up in big storm

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by DtM

I must say I don't understand the need for a bimini (hard or soft) over the helm station. I suspect I am in the minority but there we go.

I just delivered a Helia 44 from Newport Rhode Island to the Chesapeake and when it's 38 degrees F (3.33 C) sailing at night, then you learn to love an enclosed helm station.

Would not have made the trip without it.

[DtM]

A fair (but limited) point.

Are you now working for one of the dealers Mark !!!!!

By the way thank you for all your great tips and guides to changes.

daniel

[saratogamanta]

LOVE the hardtop mod!! Who did it and how much does something like that cost after market.

The instruments on the coach wall above the window is an excellent idea. You don't always stand watch in one place.

I really like this boat and hope the hardware and structure withstand the test of time.

All of the production companies have to make a price point in today's market. Sadly the $1000 (???) savings to downgrade the hardware just kills me. It takes so much time and money to replace once it is corroded, seized, or inaccessible.

Has anyone seen or own an FP, Lag, Nauti, or Leop that does not have pitted corroded hardware inside and out after 5-7 years. After 10 years, our Manta was still near perfect.
RE and enclosed cockpit/helm:
An enclosed, protected, dry, and secure helm are paramount IMHO for live aboard passage making. We lived on our Manta 42 and have experienced everything from snow to blazing hot sun and all weather in between.

Consider:

Constant wind noise in your ears is deafening and tiring…very tiring after several hours

Water spray in your face, warm or cold, is miserable.

Salt water in clothes never dries completely and wet foulies after several days are well..foul.

Navigating with a handheld chart or guide though a cut 'into the wind' with the pages flying all over is not fun. Chartplotters have not made paper obsolete in many parts of the world.

It's hard to read a book when the pages are fluttering

Skin cancer, skin cancer, skin cancer

Seeing a chart plotter or an I Pad is much easier under the shade of a hardtop

A mast falling down on a solid hardtop and not your head feels better. Trust me I know.

You can tailor how outdoors you are by rolling up enclosure panels.

I don't like rain in my living area or soggy socks

We were always seeking shade in the tropics; it's really HOT and intense

Canvas biminis are weaker, require more repairs and replacements.

Instruments, shifters, etc fade less, have less weather exposure and last longer.

We are more comfortable and safer 'inside' at 3am and sleep better too knowing the other is not getting swept away or falling off into the abyss.

Cheers. Hope I gave some future liveaboards some experience to learn from.

[DtM]

Thank you for your perspectives. Useful for all.

[maytrix]

Originally Posted by DtM

I must say I don't understand the need for a bimini (hard or soft) over the helm station. I suspect I am in the minority but there we go.

I'm the exact opposite - how can you not want one?

All the reasons already given - it protects you from the elements, regardless of what they are. If all you do is sail on good days, then I could see not wanting it. But if you are living aboard and cruising, then why wouldn't you?

[DtM]

I said I was likely to be in the minority. I like the elements and I have the gear to sail in them.

And yes I have sailed many many ocean miles and in up to 70 knots in Bass Strait.

[Seadame]

We love the hard top!
Kent Grimbeek's team at Just Catamarans made the hard top, and Craig & Jonathan Allison at MazOcean did the amazing install and lights. Highly recommend both at Lauderdale Marine Center (Maz Ocean now has a presence in Annapolis)- they did a super job, were highly professional and, as a bonus, both have impeccable integrity.

Price was 2.5x cost of typical SS tube frame & canvas top.
The hardtop has great long term durability, Super DRY, extra surface for solar panel (7 panels total), glass roof w/embedded LED night vision lights, NO canvas degradation/ replacement costs, many canvas attachment points/ channels AND, it's a great high jump when needed.

The canvas/ window skins are top notch as well -Quantum Sails in Annapolis did the canvas work.

We essentially have a Helm Lounge station with great visibility...wind/ice cold sea spray be gone... When the weathers nice- all the windows zip off and we're under rain proof shade...

Originally Posted by saratogamanta

LOVE the hardtop mod!! Who did it and how much does something like that cost after market.

The instruments on the coach wall above the window is an excellent idea. You don't always stand watch in one place.

I really like this boat and hope the hardware and structure withstand the test of time.

All of the production companies have to make a price point in today's market. Sadly the $1000 (???) savings to downgrade the hardware just kills me. It takes so much time and money to replace once it is corroded, seized, or inaccessible.

Has anyone seen or own an FP, Lag, Nauti, or Leop that does not have pitted corroded hardware inside and out after 5-7 years. After 10 years, our Manta was still near perfect.
RE and enclosed cockpit/helm:
An enclosed, protected, dry, and secure helm are paramount IMHO for live aboard passage making. We lived on our Manta 42 and have experienced everything from snow to blazing hot sun and all weather in between.

Consider:

Constant wind noise in your ears is deafening and tiring…very tiring after several hours

Water spray in your face, warm or cold, is miserable.

Salt water in clothes never dries completely and wet foulies after several days are well..foul.

Navigating with a handheld chart or guide though a cut 'into the wind' with the pages flying all over is not fun. Chartplotters have not made paper obsolete in many parts of the world.

It's hard to read a book when the pages are fluttering

Skin cancer, skin cancer, skin cancer

Seeing a chart plotter or an I Pad is much easier under the shade of a hardtop

A mast falling down on a solid hardtop and not your head feels better. Trust me I know.

You can tailor how outdoors you are by rolling up enclosure panels.

I don't like rain in my living area or soggy socks

We were always seeking shade in the tropics; it's really HOT and intense

Canvas biminis are weaker, require more repairs and replacements.

Instruments, shifters, etc fade less, have less weather exposure and last longer.

We are more comfortable and safer 'inside' at 3am and sleep better too knowing the other is not getting swept away or falling off into the abyss.

Cheers. Hope I gave some future liveaboards some experience to learn from.

[Gordon]

Hi Daniel,
Just to add to this discussion, we are very happy with the factory fitted clears, they are very well made and fitted. In all but the very extreme wind and rain do you get any water into the shielded areas.
We were very pleased to have a fully protected helm allowing us to operate and adjust sails, also reefing, from the fully proctected helm area as we crossed the Bay of Biscay earlier this year in May, winds 35kt+ and heavy rain.
With only the two of us sailing we sleep in the cockpit area at night allowing quick acess to assist the helm. With the area fully enclosed you have a secure and weather proof environment.
When spending many hours at the helm in the 35 degree days the shade afforded by the cover over the helm seat is appreciated.

Gordon.