You might find a time when far-flung destinations beckon—when you’re compelled to make the shift from coastal cruising to longer-haul venues through more challenging waters. Such is the case with the owners of what will be the first 46 Pilothouse from Helmsman Trawlers.
Hull No. 1 is on order from the owners of a 38E Pilothouse who wanted something a bit hardier and more spacious for extended cruising. Design work began prior to the pandemic and resumed in 2021. The owners have worked closely with Helmsman to tweak the design to their liking. Ivan Erdevicki did the naval architecture.
“While clearly a sibling to our small 38- and 43-foot models, Ivan brought some sleeker styling to the 46,” says Helmsman founder and managing director Scott Helker. “We got a lot of positive feedback on the attractiveness of the exterior. This model is designed to meet CE Class A rating parameters. With this model, we’re advancing beyond our coastal cruising domain.”
The 38 and 43 are available in two configurations: sedan and pilothouse. The sedan version has full main-deck-level, bulwark-protected walkarounds, and the helm and salon on the same level.
The pilothouse versions have a raised helm, a full-beam
salon and side decks that extend around the bow, connecting each of the pilothouse doors. Both configurations have flybridges. On the pilothouse models, protected exterior side stairs connect the main deck and flybridge.
The 46 will be offered only as a pilothouse model. Its master stateroom has an en suite head with a shower compartment, a queen-size berth and extensive stowage. Multiple layouts are available for the second stateroom, including a VIP, a combination stateroom/office or a dedicated office.
The 46 also has a semi-displacement hull design with soft chines, a deep forefoot, broad sections aft for form stability, and a full keel. The hull is a solid FRP laminate with vinylester resins in external layers and an internal FRP grid. It is fitted with a stainless-steel skeg and a large rudder. The decks are cored with PVC foam.
Hull No. 1 will have a single 500-hp John Deere 6090SFM85, which Helker says will make the boat capable of a top speed of 16 knots. Optional power includes a 493-hp Cummins QSB8.3, and both engines are available in commercial ratings. At 9 knots, the boat should burn 6 gph with a range (maintaining a 10 percent reserve) of 1,080 nautical miles, Helker says. At 8 knots, he predicts a range of 1,440 nm.
Helmsman boats are built at a dedicated yard in China with components that Helmsman’s headquarters in Seattle sources and ships over for installation. Delivery is available in Seattle or Charleston, S.C.
In business since 2011, Helmsman expects to deliver 18 boats stateside this year, evenly split between the coasts. The 46 is scheduled to arrive on the West Coast this fall.
Helmsman 46 Pilothouse
LOA: 50ft. 1in.
Beam: 16ft. 3in.
Draft: 5ft.
Displacement (light): 45,000 lbs.
Fuel: 800 gal.
Water: 300 gal.
Engine: 500-hp John Deere 6090SFM85
Optional power: 493-hp Cummins QSC8.3
Info: helmsmantrawlers.com
This article was originally published in the September 2023 issue.
