Another new start for Helmsman

[Helmsman]

The inside work is moving along on the boat. The finishes are rounding into place. The attached pictures show the amount of storage space in the galley and the forward part of the salon. That was a big issue for us on our former boat, a 2006 Carver. We really like the amount of storage available. One thing my wife brought up was where to place a galley trash can. Would like to hear what others have done.



One thing we debated was closing up the forward berth "magazine racks" above the bed, and instead making them cabinets. Still not sure whether we made the right decision there and certainly something for folks buying one of these boats to consider. I never ran it by the folks at Helmsman but seems like it would work.



Anyway, the boat seems to be coming together more quickly now. Perhaps the supply chain issues are easing now.

[PattiS]

We plan to put two slim cans (one for trash and one for recycling) under the sinks in the galley.

[FWT]

We too went with the owners cabin layout, as shown in the montage video.

I looked at every variation pic and video out there, but came to the conclusion Helmsman nailed it with that layout.

For me a part of the equation is being visually open vs closed and cramped looking. That's a tricky balance in a forward cabin that can quick feel closed in.

You are ahead of me (again) on trash can location. I just figured we would find cans that would fit under the sink, but have given it no more thought than that.

Its looking good. You have to be feeling good about this.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by FWT

We too went with the owners cabin layout, as shown in the montage video.

I looked at every variation pic and video out there, but came to the conclusion Helmsman nailed it with that layout.

For me a part of the equation is being visually open vs closed and cramped looking. That's a tricky balance in a forward cabin that can quick feel closed in.

You are ahead of me (again) on trash can location. I just figured we would find cans that would fit under the sink, but have given it no more thought than that.

Its looking good. You have to be feeling good about this.

Yes, we are. We have bought our electronics and have them stored. Still need to get on a 38e and measure some things, so that we can make some final purchases and have everything we need to finish outfitting the boat.

Adding cabinets there would not be worth much space with the hull angle. Probably would not be too useful.

It has been a tough year for producing anything. I appreciate the amount of work with all the workarounds it takes to get a project completed. My background was in the supply chain area. I am hearing that the issues that industry is dealing with in that area are improving slowly, but improving.

[Barrie]

New question and hopefully this will hit all Helmsman 38 and Mariner 37 owners.
So our boats come with this nice day head which also includes an engine room hatch. Does anyone use it? I have never opened it since buying the boat. I always use the floor hatches in the pilot house.
Also the area above the engine hatch has a mirror on the wall but this whole area at the back of the "day head" is pretty much a waste of space. Has anyone gotten creative and put in shelves or a cupboard?
Have any of the new boat owners had this discussion with Scott?
Any thoughts. thanks
Barrie

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by Barrie

New question and hopefully this will hit all Helmsman 38 and Mariner 37 owners.
So our boats come with this nice day head which also includes an engine room hatch. Does anyone use it? I have never opened it since buying the boat. I always use the floor hatches in the pilot house.
Also the area above the engine hatch has a mirror on the wall but this whole area at the back of the "day head" is pretty much a waste of space. Has anyone gotten creative and put in shelves or a cupboard?
Have any of the new boat owners had this discussion with Scott?
Any thoughts. thanks
Barrie

Barrie, if a 38e owner wants a Splendide washer/dryer combo, that is generally where people put them. We opted not to, but will keep that space available for a couple of years until we determine whether we want to add one. I have seen the Splendide put in the bilge under the salon also.

I am not sure yet how we will use that engine room access door. We will almost certainly use the space for temporary storage to begin with. I am also looking forward to comments from others as to how they will use it. Have attached a picture of a Splendide in that opening.

[chanprr]

We put an apartment size washer in the space in front of the small access door, and the day head became a laundry area. Strong curtain rods were temporarily installed and used to hang clothing for drying overnight while we slept. Worked out perfect on our Alaska cruise.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by chanprr

We put an apartment size washer in the space in front of the small access door, and the day head became a laundry area. Strong curtain rods were temporarily installed and used to hang clothing for drying overnight while we slept. Worked out perfect on our Alaska cruise.

Interesting! How did you plumb it?

[chanprr]

Attached the water hose feed for the washer to the end of the hand spigot after removing the strainer. The fittings for connecting the inlet hose and the hand spigot are available at any large hardware store. The waste water tube was looped and put in the sink, attached to the handle of the spigot . It looks a bit messy but works fine. When finished washing, disconnect and hang the hose ends in the washer. I estimated that the shortest wash cycle used less than 6 gallons of fresh water and clothes were very clean. The washer was a RCA apt model bought at Lowe’s. Sorry I never took a photo of the setup in the day head.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by chanprr

Attached the water hose feed for the washer to the end of the hand spigot after removing the strainer. The fittings for connecting the inlet hose and the hand spigot are available at any large hardware store. The waste water tube was looped and put in the sink, attached to the handle of the spigot . It looks a bit messy but works fine. When finished washing, disconnect and hang the hose ends in the washer. I estimated that the shortest wash cycle used less than 6 gallons of fresh water and clothes were very clean. The washer was a RCA apt model bought at Lowe’s. Sorry I never took a photo of the setup in the day head.

Thanks. Seems like a good short term solution

[FWT]

Its partially off topic, but partially on topic, so I'll throw this out there.

I have wondered about a very different layout of the salon, that I did not pursue much in my own mind or at all with Helmsman. We have all seen galley layouts on other boats that are against the bulkhead separating the salon from the pilothouse. In this case that would be to port side. This can't be done on a H38 / H48 because of the dayhead. So, I was wondering if giving up the dayhead entirely was worth it? That would enlarge the engine room below. The space where the fridge sits now should be able to accomodate a stacking washer and dryer. I would think there would significant additional space opened up for recliners and the like. The entire idea hinges on the importance of the dayhead, and use of the convertible settee as berths. Since the H43 has a second cabin, its an idea that may be more appropriate for that boat than the H38.

For what its worth.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by FWT

Its partially off topic, but partially on topic, so I'll throw this out there.

I have wondered about a very different layout of the salon, that I did not pursue much in my own mind or at all with Helmsman. We have all seen galley layouts on other boats that are against the bulkhead separating the salon from the pilothouse. In this case that would be to port side. This can't be done on a H38 / H48 because of the dayhead. So, I was wondering if giving up the dayhead entirely was worth it? That would enlarge the engine room below. The space where the fridge sits now should be able to accomodate a stacking washer and dryer. I would think there would significant additional space opened up for recliners and the like. The entire idea hinges on the importance of the dayhead, and use of the convertible settee as berths. Since the H43 has a second cabin, its an idea that may be more appropriate for that boat than the H38.

For what its worth.

A variation of that is what John (N4061) did. However he moved the galley to port, and put his W/D where the fridge normally is. That resulted in his fridge being a smaller cu ft version, which would be a no go for me. However, he wanted to keep the engine room access door.

Giving up the day head would provide room for a kitchen design against the wall, but the narrow space available along the port side where the day head is would not be very conducive to adding appliances there, except for perhaps a 9.0 cu ft fridge tucked back there. That would provide more space within the engine room.

[FWT]

Yep. Aware John did that which is the source of the idea. A single undercounter fridge isn't enough for me either.

But this pic of a Selene 45 is more what I had in mind. Which again I doubt would fit well in a H38. H43 maybe. But a different thing where the dayhead has value is backup. If one goes out you have another.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by FWT

Yep. Aware John did that which is the source of the idea. A single undercounter fridge isn't enough for me either.

But this pic of a Selene 45 is more what I had in mind. Which again I doubt would fit well in a H38. H43 maybe. But a different thing where the dayhead has value is backup. If one goes out you have another.

Couldn’t you achieve the same by increasing the length of the “island” that juts out into the salon on a 38E, and perhaps making the U formed by the fridge and the island a little “skinnier” without eliminating the day head?

[FWT]

I didn't go anywhere with the idea because it had plenty of downsides.

But the idea was to get a washer-dryer into the salon area. So where?

John swapped the kitchen over to port, while the latest variants kept it to starboard with a very long run of cabinets. I suppose one could use that undercounter space with some number of drawer unit fridge and freezer units.

But like I say, it wasn't an idea I went anywhere with.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by FWT

I didn't go anywhere with the idea because it had plenty of downsides.

But the idea was to get a washer-dryer into the salon area. So where?

John swapped the kitchen over to port, while the latest variants kept it to starboard with a very long run of cabinets. I suppose one could use that undercounter space with some number of drawer unit fridge and freezer units.

But like I say, it wasn't an idea I went anywhere with.

I got you. Just thinking through the idea.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by FWT

Its partially off topic, but partially on topic, so I'll throw this out there.

I have wondered about a very different layout of the salon, that I did not pursue much in my own mind or at all with Helmsman. We have all seen galley layouts on other boats that are against the bulkhead separating the salon from the pilothouse. In this case that would be to port side. This can't be done on a H38 / H48 because of the dayhead. So, I was wondering if giving up the dayhead entirely was worth it? That would enlarge the engine room below. The space where the fridge sits now should be able to accomodate a stacking washer and dryer. I would think there would significant additional space opened up for recliners and the like. The entire idea hinges on the importance of the dayhead, and use of the convertible settee as berths. Since the H43 has a second cabin, its an idea that may be more appropriate for that boat than the H38.

For what its worth.

I was looking at the 46 layout images on the Helmsman web site. The layout is similar to what you described and is worth a look.

The link is below for those that haven’t visited the site.

https://www.helmsmantrawlers.com/hel...46-pilothouse/

[chanprr]

Our 46 is under construction with a completion date of May 2023. She will be hull #1. We opted for the alternate lower deck design. The large second stateroom will be an office/craft room, with additional storage. Scott and Van were instrumental in planning the new build. Today, our 2020 38E was sold with their generous help as brokers. Our 38E is Alaska proven. We completed the cruise earlier this summer, a round trip of 2711 nautical miles in 72 days. Plan to go back to BC and SE Alaska in 2024 in the 46. Beautiful country, endless anchorages, and abundant wildlife. Let me say again, Waterline is a top class outfit. You couldn't wish for more expert and experienced boaters and brokers. On top of that, their 38E's are extremely well designed, well built, with exceptional quality, fit and finish. Our 46 will be the same.

[FWT]

Originally Posted by chanprr

Our 46 is under construction with a completion date of May 2023. She will be hull #1. We opted for the alternate lower deck design. The large second stateroom will be an office/craft room, with additional storage. Scott and Van were instrumental in planning the new build. Today, our 2020 38E was sold with their generous help as brokers. Our 38E is Alaska proven. We completed the cruise earlier this summer, a round trip of 2711 nautical miles in 72 days. Plan to go back to BC and SE Alaska in 2024 in the 46. Beautiful country, endless anchorages, and abundant wildlife. Let me say again, Waterline is a top class outfit. You couldn't wish for more expert and experienced boaters and brokers. On top of that, their 38E's are extremely well designed, well built, with exceptional quality, fit and finish. Our 46 will be the same.

Congratulations! That's going to be one helluva boat.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by chanprr

Our 46 is under construction with a completion date of May 2023. She will be hull #1. We opted for the alternate lower deck design. The large second stateroom will be an office/craft room, with additional storage. Scott and Van were instrumental in planning the new build. Today, our 2020 38E was sold with their generous help as brokers. Our 38E is Alaska proven. We completed the cruise earlier this summer, a round trip of 2711 nautical miles in 72 days. Plan to go back to BC and SE Alaska in 2024 in the 46. Beautiful country, endless anchorages, and abundant wildlife. Let me say again, Waterline is a top class outfit. You couldn't wish for more expert and experienced boaters and brokers. On top of that, their 38E's are extremely well designed, well built, with exceptional quality, fit and finish. Our 46 will be the same.

Congratulations on your 46! Exciting. The renderings on the Helmsman website look fantastic. It looks like an awesome trawler. I like your choice of the office setup. I really like the galley layout, too.

I am not familiar with boating in the PNW. What is the season for traveling to Alaska?

When you get a chance, if you haven’t already, check out the 43 at Boattest.com . In the video you will see one with a gray stripe that I think looks really good. What are you doing for the exterior colors? Will it have a hard top? The rendering looks like a hard top, so I wondered about that.