Nick14
Guru
I can now share some details of my new Helmsman build. The boat will be a new model for Helmsman, the 38 Sedan, essentially a 2'3" stretch of the previous 37 Sedan.
I originally contacted Helmsman about the 37 Sedan, and was going down the road to ordering one. Having easy access all around the boat, with full walk-around side decks, was an absolute must-have. I know most people prefer more cabin space, but my priorities are the opposite. It's just my wife and I that ever use our boats (and mostly, me single-handing), and I want easy, single-level access anywhere on the boat rather than more cabin space.
Especially as the Admiral and I continue not-so-gracefully aging, and the realities of arthritis and other decrepitudes become increasingly larger parts of (and impediments to) life, being able to easily access all parts of a boat, for line handling, docking, hanging fenders - and fending off impending impacts with hard or expensive objects - without having to climb stairs or ladders, is important to me.
I realized that the difference between the 37 Sedan and 38E Pilothouse was that while the hull underbody (waterline down) was identical on both boats, the 37 Sedan had the hull blocked off 2'3" from the aft end which created essentially an integral 'swim platform' hull extension.
I asked Scott Helker if they could simply build a Sedan on the exact same hull as the 38E, removing the block and not having the swim platform extension but adding 2'3" to the hull above the waterline (and then using a bolt-on swim platform), and extending the cabin and flybridge hardtop by the same amount.
Being extremely accommodating and flexible, Scott discussed it with the yard and agreed to do it. It will replace the previous 37 Sedan in their lineup.
Scott was also very amenable to obliging a few other customization requests.
First, I was interested in a custom interior layout. Instead of the standard 2-stateroom layout, it will have a single stateroom, which allows both a larger stateroom as well as more head and shower space (and more room for storage in the engine room).
A bigger layout change is in the salon. We wanted two opposed settees in the salon, L-shaped (convertible) with table across from a straight settee. This is the layout that works best for us, both for the few times we have guests on board (only for drinks and conversation), and for the two of us to be able to stretch out across from each other and curl up with books while still being able to easily talk. The galley is relocated to port forward, and is now L-shaped (out of the way of the conversation area, but still easy access for serving food, and for me to grab a bite or drink when underway). The standard layout has a U-shaped settee across from the galley, and another small seating area across from the helm station. Scott accommodated the interior layout I drew and asked for.
The inspiration for this interior layout is not mine. This is essentially the layout of the old Grand Banks 36 Europa (and North Pacific 38 Sedan). We always loved the GB36 Europa, I've looked for one at various times in the past. But they've been out of production for a while, and hard to find. I wanted a new boat that basically had that interior layout.
Another customization is power. We like the ability to cruise in the teens, semi-displacement speeds. Mostly because the Admiral can't stand going 7 knots. Also, with the 3-5 knot currents in places in our area, unless one times the tides it could be slow going at full displacement speeds. The boat is being built with a 550 hp Cummins (6.7), which Scott estimates should be able to achieve and sustain 15-17 knots.
We also plan to experiment with a Sharrow propellor on our boat. The Sharrow is an unconventional design (using essentially open 'loops', like Mobius strips, instead of solid blades). This has the effect of largely eliminating tip vortices, and thus cavitation. Performance testing so far shows substantial increases in efficiency compared with conventional props, both increased speed and fuel economy.
We signed the deal a couple of months ago, and hull construction started last week. Completion is targeted for next April 2023.
A photoshop rendering of what the completed boat should look like, as well as the interior layout, are below.
The adventure begins.
I originally contacted Helmsman about the 37 Sedan, and was going down the road to ordering one. Having easy access all around the boat, with full walk-around side decks, was an absolute must-have. I know most people prefer more cabin space, but my priorities are the opposite. It's just my wife and I that ever use our boats (and mostly, me single-handing), and I want easy, single-level access anywhere on the boat rather than more cabin space.
Especially as the Admiral and I continue not-so-gracefully aging, and the realities of arthritis and other decrepitudes become increasingly larger parts of (and impediments to) life, being able to easily access all parts of a boat, for line handling, docking, hanging fenders - and fending off impending impacts with hard or expensive objects - without having to climb stairs or ladders, is important to me.
I realized that the difference between the 37 Sedan and 38E Pilothouse was that while the hull underbody (waterline down) was identical on both boats, the 37 Sedan had the hull blocked off 2'3" from the aft end which created essentially an integral 'swim platform' hull extension.
I asked Scott Helker if they could simply build a Sedan on the exact same hull as the 38E, removing the block and not having the swim platform extension but adding 2'3" to the hull above the waterline (and then using a bolt-on swim platform), and extending the cabin and flybridge hardtop by the same amount.
Being extremely accommodating and flexible, Scott discussed it with the yard and agreed to do it. It will replace the previous 37 Sedan in their lineup.
Scott was also very amenable to obliging a few other customization requests.
First, I was interested in a custom interior layout. Instead of the standard 2-stateroom layout, it will have a single stateroom, which allows both a larger stateroom as well as more head and shower space (and more room for storage in the engine room).
A bigger layout change is in the salon. We wanted two opposed settees in the salon, L-shaped (convertible) with table across from a straight settee. This is the layout that works best for us, both for the few times we have guests on board (only for drinks and conversation), and for the two of us to be able to stretch out across from each other and curl up with books while still being able to easily talk. The galley is relocated to port forward, and is now L-shaped (out of the way of the conversation area, but still easy access for serving food, and for me to grab a bite or drink when underway). The standard layout has a U-shaped settee across from the galley, and another small seating area across from the helm station. Scott accommodated the interior layout I drew and asked for.
The inspiration for this interior layout is not mine. This is essentially the layout of the old Grand Banks 36 Europa (and North Pacific 38 Sedan). We always loved the GB36 Europa, I've looked for one at various times in the past. But they've been out of production for a while, and hard to find. I wanted a new boat that basically had that interior layout.
Another customization is power. We like the ability to cruise in the teens, semi-displacement speeds. Mostly because the Admiral can't stand going 7 knots. Also, with the 3-5 knot currents in places in our area, unless one times the tides it could be slow going at full displacement speeds. The boat is being built with a 550 hp Cummins (6.7), which Scott estimates should be able to achieve and sustain 15-17 knots.
We also plan to experiment with a Sharrow propellor on our boat. The Sharrow is an unconventional design (using essentially open 'loops', like Mobius strips, instead of solid blades). This has the effect of largely eliminating tip vortices, and thus cavitation. Performance testing so far shows substantial increases in efficiency compared with conventional props, both increased speed and fuel economy.
We signed the deal a couple of months ago, and hull construction started last week. Completion is targeted for next April 2023.
A photoshop rendering of what the completed boat should look like, as well as the interior layout, are below.
The adventure begins.
