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Old 16-03-2014, 08:27   #1
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Helms 27

Does anyone have an experience or thoughts about a Helms 27? Does anyone know if it has an encapsulated keel or bolt on? I assume they made a limited amount of boats, since there doesn't appear to be that much info out there.

Thanks
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Old 20-03-2014, 09:38   #2
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Re: Helms 27

I grew up sailing on my daddy's Helm's 25 (it was a Catalina 22 extended by three feet). Helms was a family company located in Irmo, SC and built boats throughout the 70's before closing doors in the 80's. We knew the family well through the Columbia Sailing Club. The 27 was a fine boat, a "big boat", by Lake Murray standards, back in the day. John Helms may still live in Columbia, you may be able to find him through Google or perhaps facebook. He is happy to depart information about their line and offer any advice necessary. I'll PM you if I can find any of Johnny's contact information. If you contact him first, tell him that Greg Handal says "hello".
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Old 20-03-2014, 10:19   #3
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Re: Helms 27

I had a Helms 24 back in the late '70s. Great little pocket cruiser. Did a lot of weekend cruising on the Chesapeake in it.

It had a bolt-on external keel IIRC. Don't know if the 27 was the same, but I suspect so as the 27 was designed by the same guy and appeared to be just a slightly larger version of the 24.

I made a number of improvements to my boat during the 4 years I had it -- internal halyards led aft, interior carpentry, cockpit table, etc. The fellow who bought it from me turned around and sold it the next year to Stuart Windley, the designer of the 24 and the 27. He said he liked my modifications.
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Old 20-03-2014, 16:29   #4
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Re: Helms 27

Quote:
Originally Posted by trialbuterrors View Post
Does anyone have an experience or thoughts about a Helms 27? Does anyone know if it has an encapsulated keel or bolt on? I assume they made a limited amount of boats, since there doesn't appear to be that much info out there.

Thanks
I can't tell you anything specific about your keel, but this was one of the company's most popular models.

HELMS 27 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com

rb
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Old 04-07-2018, 15:55   #5
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Re: Helms 27

Strange information is so uncommon . They built 600 of them over 9 years . Not too shabby Cape Dory 27 . 277 over eight years.
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Old 26-09-2024, 21:20   #6
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Re: Helms 27

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Originally Posted by trialbuterrors View Post
Does anyone have an experience or thoughts about a Helms 27? Does anyone know if it has an encapsulated keel or bolt on? I assume they made a limited amount of boats, since there doesn't appear to be that much info out there.

Thanks
The keel bolted on as I recall. The boat was a tank. When I had the boat built - hull #5 I kept it on lake murray. I used to visit his shop every Saturday and check the progress. Jack, Jesse, and Johnny are wonderful people. I had a 110, and a 150 on a rolling furler with a twin track head stay. And a beautiful custom made spinnaker. I moved to Charleston and moved the boat moved with me. The only mistake I made was the installation of a saildrive motor and not a diesel. The saildrive was not made for coastal cruising. After Hurricane hugo I had the boat hauled back to Columbia for some minor repairs. The boat was under insured and I ended up selling it to a friend, who had hull #1 I believe, and had to get rid of his boat due to a nasty divorse. He was a handy sort and lived on the lake. he made the repairs and i lost touch with him. It was a great boat, had a hell of a rating and was pretty competive. Miss sailing but my priorities changed. As the saying goes, the two best times in a boat owners life is the day he aquires a boat and the day he gets rid of it. Listening to the weather about hurricane Helene made me think about sailing.
I've rambled enough. If there are any questions let me know.

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