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Helms 27

Designer: Stuart Windley  ·  Builder: Jack A. Helms Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Helms 27

Designed as an affordable entry point into sailboat ownership, this compact 27-footer emerged during an era when manufacturers sought to balance performance with accessibility. The Helms 27 represents a thoughtful approach to coastal cruising, offering sailors a manageable platform for weekend adventures and day sailing excursions. With its moderate displacement and traditional lines, this boat appeals to those seeking a straightforward sailing experience without excessive complexity. The design emphasizes ease of handling, making it particularly suitable for new boat owners or those stepping up from smaller vessels. Its size strikes a practical balance, providing enough interior space for short-term cruising while remaining trailerable for those who prefer launching from different locations. The Helms 27 finds its sweet spot in protected waters and coastal environments, where its manageable proportions and predictable handling characteristics shine. While not intended for extensive offshore passages, it offers sufficient capability for bay sailing, harbor exploration, and short coastal hops in favorable conditions. For sailors prioritizing simplicity and value over cutting-edge performance, this design delivers reliable service with minimal maintenance demands, embodying the principle that good sailing doesn't require complexity.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.83 ft / 8.18 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.58 ft / 6.58 m
Beam 9.67 ft / 2.95 m
Max Draft 4.30 ft / 1.31 m
Displacement 6,200.00 lb / 2,812 kg
Ballast 2,400.00 lb / 1,089 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Stuart Windley
Builder Jack A. Helms Co. (USA)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1987
Number Built 600
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
210
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
38.71
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
275.42
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 4.47 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.36
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 344.00 ft² / 31.96 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 275.42
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 27, Coronado 27, Ericson 27, Pearson 27, Tartan Pride 270

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Helms 27 ★
26.8 ft
Catalina 27
26.9 ft
Coronado 27
26.7 ft
Ericson 27
26.8 ft
Pearson 27
26.9 ft
Tartan Pride 270
26.8 ft
LWL
Helms 27 ★
21.6 ft
Catalina 27
23.0 ft
Coronado 27
22.0 ft
Ericson 27
20.5 ft
Pearson 27
22.5 ft
Tartan Pride 270
23.4 ft
Beam
Helms 27 ★
9.7 ft
Catalina 27
9.2 ft
Coronado 27
8.5 ft
Ericson 27
9.0 ft
Pearson 27
9.2 ft
Tartan Pride 270
8.5 ft
Displacement
Helms 27 ★
6 lbs
Catalina 27
6 lbs
Coronado 27
6 lbs
Ericson 27
6 lbs
Pearson 27
5 lbs
Tartan Pride 270
3 lbs
Ballast
Helms 27 ★
2 lbs
Catalina 27
2 lbs
Coronado 27
2 lbs
Ericson 27
2 lbs
Pearson 27
2 lbs
Tartan Pride 270
1 lbs
Sail Area
Helms 27 ★
Catalina 27
323 sq ft
Coronado 27
Ericson 27
323 sq ft
Pearson 27
332 sq ft
Tartan Pride 270
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Helms 27 ★
210 s/nm
Catalina 27
207 s/nm
Coronado 27
231 s/nm
Ericson 27
207 s/nm
Pearson 27
204 s/nm
Tartan Pride 270
132 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Helms 27 ★
Catalina 27
14.3
Coronado 27
Ericson 27
14.7
Pearson 27
16.5
Tartan Pride 270
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Helms 27 ★
38.7 %
Catalina 27
39.4 %
Coronado 27
40.8 %
Ericson 27
43.9 %
Pearson 27
Tartan Pride 270
46.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Helms 27 ★
Catalina 27
Coronado 27
Ericson 27
24.4
Pearson 27
19.7
Tartan Pride 270
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Helms 27 ★
Catalina 27
Coronado 27
Ericson 27
1.92
Pearson 27
2.04
Tartan Pride 270
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Helms 27 ★
275
Catalina 27
251
Coronado 27
262
Ericson 27
342
Pearson 27
Tartan Pride 270
132
Hull Speed
Helms 27 ★
Catalina 27
Coronado 27
Ericson 27
6.1 kts
Pearson 27
6.4 kts
Tartan Pride 270
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Helms 27 ★
Catalina 27
Coronado 27
Ericson 27
1.3
Pearson 27
2.4
Tartan Pride 270
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