An improved and more upscale version of the popular Camano 31, the new Helmsman Trawler 31 is being launched at the Seattle boat show, starting Jan. 26. The new Helmsman has the same hull, stability and performance as the old Camano, but now has a redesigned master stateroom and galley, a larger salon and an upgraded interior with more warmth and lots of teak.
Overall, the new Helmsman 31 has a no-nonsense salty approach to cruising, offering lots of easy living space inside and outside the boat. With three large windows in front (the middle one opens), and large side windows and a back window (which also open), the new trawler has excellent visibility all around. And the flybridge, with three pedestal helm seats, also offers horizon-wide visibility when you’re driving the boat from up there. The new radar arch there is on a hinge and can be lowered to give the boat an air draft of just 11 feet, measuring from the water to the highest point on the boat, a major advantage for anyone cruising the Great Loop, say, or the Waterway with all its bridges in Florida.
Below, the upgraded master stateroom in the bow has a large pedestal berth instead of the Camano’s V-berth, storage cabinets, drawers, storage under the berth and a hanging locker. The head is to starboard and a new separate shower compartment is to port.
The galley has been moved up to the salon, and it has a Force 10 three-burner propane stove, Nova Kool fridge/freezer, Corian countertops, a deep stainless-steel sink and drop-down storage overhead, all along the port side. To starboard is a convertible L-shaped settee and dining table that folds down to cocktail-table size, with an inlaid compass rose. The new salon is larger and more upscale than the one in the Camano, with a full 6’2” of headroom, and teak and teak veneer all around. (There is no teak on the exterior of the Helmsman 31, to keep maintenance at a minimum.) A fixed lower helm seat and separate companion seat also are new to the Helmsman.
The boat in the Seattle show is powered by a 225-hp Volvo D-4 diesel engine; standard power is a 240-hp Hyundai Seasall diesel. The Helmsman’s semi-displacement hull is fuel efficient throughout the speed range, and tops out at about 15 knots. The standard boat comes with a Vetus bow thruster (a stern thruster is optional), trim tabs and dual Racor fuel filters.
Helmsman Trawlers are built in China and are designed for owners who want a quality cruising boat but don’t want to overpay for one. The line now goes from 31 to 43 feet. Each boat is built to order, so a new owner has the opportunity for lots of customization in his boat.
Specs.: LOA: 31’0”; Beam: 10’6”; Draft: 3’0”; Disp.: 12,002 lbs. Fuel: 150 gals.; Water: 100 gals.; Power: 1×240-hp Hyundai Seasall diesel. Base price: $269,000. For more:
https://seattle.boatshed.com/new-boats-for-sale/helmsman-trawlers
