An adapted version of the Helsen 22, this masthead sloop features a keel-centerboard hull designed for shoal water
Designed by Helsen, Watkins & Johannes "Jopie" Helsen.
LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.
Is it for you?
Character
Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.
TrailerableBeam 2.44 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 1,134 kg of hull, so roughly 1,750 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Ramp-launchableAbout 1,134 kg of hull, with a keel that raises or a draught shallow enough to float off a trailer — she can go back on the trailer at the ramp, not only into the water.Shoal draughtDraws 0.46 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly
Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 12 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.
Comfort ratio 12
CoastalBluewater
At 2.36 she sits above the 2.0 line — beamy for her weight, and happiest coastal.
Capsize screening 2.36
LightHeavy
144 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.
Displacement / length 144
EasygoingPowered-up
17.4 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.
Sail area / displacement 17.4
TenderStiff
36% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.
Ballast 36%
Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.
Draws more than ~90% of boats her size on file
Compared with 612 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.
The record
Full specifications
The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.
Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
36.0%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.4
Displacement / length
143.8
Comfort ratio
11.7
Capsize screening
2.36
Hull speed
6.0 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
566
Hull
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1973–1980
Units built
400
Designer
Helsen, Watkins, Johannes "Jopie" Helsen
Builder
Watkins Yachts Inc
Boats like this, on the water
Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.
Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.
Catalina Yachts 227.26 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA prolific masthead sloop with 15,000 built, offering a versatile swing-keel design for trailerable coastal cruising
Cal Boats 247.43 mSame hull family0.4 m longerThe inaugural Jensen Marine Cal model, this fractional keel-centerboard sloop was built for shoal-water versatility
Marshall Marine Corporation Sanderling5.54 mSame hull family1.5 m shorterA gaff-rigged catboat based on a 1941 design, featuring a shallow-draft keel-centerboard hull for versatile day sailing
O'day 23-1 (Lift Top)7.01 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA popular C. Raymond Hunt-designed masthead sloop featuring a unique lift-top coach roof for added cabin headroom
Dufour Yachts T66.15 mSame hull family0.9 m shorterA lightweight 800kg fractional sloop with a high sail-area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance in light air
