Jaysen's Helms 24

[VT_Jeff]

Prop not being deep enough to get a good bite could have been your problem. I have seen it on other boats. Last summer I towed a boat in, their kicker was losing bite on every wave and they were going no where. I am sure 6hp is enough to reach hull speed if the prop is working as it should.

So there I was...........Grady 19. My 115 ran out of 2 smoke oil and I had to come in on the 3.5 kicker(borrowed from my dingy for just such occasions) in pretty good, short waves. Prop was in the water probably 30% of the time. Had to steer the kicker manually, hanging over the transom. Probably only 3-4 miles, but I was green enough to make sure I never ran out of oil again. Turns out there was more than enough oil in the internal reservoir even though the external tank was about dry. NOOB! Sold that boat, used way too much gas for a blow-boater!

[Jaysen]

Found a diver to do the first scrape. Sounds like a gravel dump down there. I won’t be surprised if he comes up and says “bottom job imminent”.


Remember that the more affordable the boat is, the more it will cost.

[Jaysen]

Per diver, I should have had an oyster roast. Apparently the hull was never scraped below “eyeball” of the waterline. The ablative paint is likely shot but he was surprised how easy it all came off. When I mentioned the 6hp trial he said “with what you had below... look for a 25. Try it again now that you are clean.”

I’ll still likely go with a 9 if the 6 moves her next test.

[Fuzz]

The 8hp and above are twins so they run a lot smoother. They also cost a bunch more and are a lot heavier. With a clean bottom I bet a 6 will be all you need. The lighter motor will let you have a lighter bracket and be much easier to move around.
With all that said I am still waiting to hear somebody complain they have too much hp.

[Jaysen]

The other advantage is bigger alternator. There’s a big advantage to 10a at 15hp over 5a at 6hp. Given an expect 5ah draw for night sailing, that’s one hour runtime for 2hr of post sunset activities.

[Fuzz]

You are old enough post sunset activities should probably occur in the dark

[Jaysen]

You are old enough post sunset activities should probably occur in the dark

Preferable for most folks. But I’m not the decision maker in this house.

Reality is that someone “not Jaysen” has a problem with the dark. So until sleep has started a certain level of light and fan is required. Add the incessant use of varied devices and I may do more solo sailing than I currently plan. I would also challenge you to wedge yourself into the V berth of a 24’ boat in the dark.

Reality is that I expect sub 10mah draw (anchor light and interior reds) but will need to recharge various devices (5a each) for about 30min. The recharge is the draw.

[VT_Jeff]

You are old enough post sunset activities should probably occur in the dark

Preferable for most folks. But I’m not the decision maker in this house.

Reality is that someone “not Jaysen” has a problem with the dark. So until sleep has started a certain level of light and fan is required. Add the incessant use of varied devices and I may do more solo sailing than I currently plan. I would also challenge you to wedge yourself into the V berth of a 24’ boat in the dark.

Reality is that I expect sub 10mah draw (anchor light and interior reds) but will need to recharge various devices (5a each) for about 30min. The recharge is the draw.

I often bring a jump pack back and forth, charge it at the cottage, and use it to power my laptop, phone charger etc as much as possible. Saves me from freewheeling the diesel to keep the battery topped off.

I use stick on LEDs for interior lighting. You can hoist an led anchor light and not touch your house batteries, though I have not actually tried that.

[Jaysen]

Reality is that I expect sub 10mah draw (anchor light and interior reds) but will need to recharge various devices (5a each) for about 30min. The recharge is the draw.

I often bring a jump pack back and forth, charge it at the cottage, and use it to power my laptop, phone charger etc as much as possible. Saves me from freewheeling the diesel to keep the battery topped off.

I use stick on LEDs for interior lighting. You can hoist an led anchor light and not touch your house batteries, though I have not actually tried that.

I have 2x75AH marine batts on board. Add that everything is prewired to use them and it doesn't make sense for me to avoid using the house. I only expect to need to run motor for charging if we are out more than a 5d. Keep in mind that for us we will need to motor a bit to get in/out of anchorage as 90% of the time it will be up a creek somewhere. I also take to the philosophy that if you need power you're doing it wrong for most things.

I wonder what the alternator output is on one of those 115s were may need to "group buy".

[Jaysen]

The first set of winches have arrived. Lewmar EVO Sport size 6. They are really small when there is not a 24' boat attached to them.

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to the stupid question I'm about to ask but I thought I'd get some feedback. 4200 or 5200 for bedding them?

I like 4200 as I expect these will come off more than once for various reasons. But I'm guessing everyone will say 5200 is needed because FORKING WINCHES NEED TO STAY PUT!