Design and Construction
The Hélia 44 measures 43 feet 6 inches overall, with a beam of 24 feet 4 inches and a light-ship displacement of 23,800 pounds. It carries 1,230 square feet of sail area between the genoa and main, with a sail-area-displacement ratio of 24. Those figures place it firmly among lively cruising multihulls rather than sluggish platforms.
Structurally, the Berret Racoupeau design is tough and well engineered. Below the waterline, the hulls are vacuum-bagged solid fiberglass and resin; above it, they use a balsa-cored sandwich. The deck is infused to save considerable weight and add greatly to the structure’s stiffness. A vinylester skin coat helps prevent blisters, while the balsa-cored, resin-infused hull construction maximizes stiffness and minimizes layup weight.
The broad hulls flare above the waterline, creating generous living space in the cabins below without compromising the engineered integrity of the shell.
Rig, Sailing, and Handling
The mast and boom are aluminum. A fixed, molded sprit projects beyond the forward crossbeam for flying a reaching spinnaker, making off-the-wind sails easy to set.
At the helm station, a short passageway doubles as the working area for trimming the boat’s sails. Testers found it a little odd, however, that the winches and stoppers for the sheets and halyards were out of reach from the wheel. An electric halyard winch made short work of raising the mainsail.
Under sail, the Hélia 44 proved quick. During a Chesapeake Bay test, it easily managed 9 knots and more in 16 to 19 knots of true wind. In 12 knots of breeze, its upwind speed over ground remained in the high 6s, with occasional spurts of 7 knots and better. The helm was satisfyingly light and responsive.
Twin 40-horsepower Volvo diesels with saildrives pushed the boat at 7.5 knots at cruising rpm and nearly 9 knots at wide-open throttle.
Cockpit and Deck
The cockpit is the boat’s main social area. It is spacious and elegant, with a large dining table and benches. The dining area to port can easily seat six to eight people, while a cushioned, sculpted daybed sits to starboard beneath the bimini. The roof extends far enough aft to shade the entire cockpit.
The flybridge is easy to reach from either the side deck or the cockpit below. It has an expansive helm bench, a sturdy tubular roof to keep off the sun, and an inboard lounging area with a bench and recliner. Wide, uncluttered side decks run behind low bulwarks.
The boat supports a pair of beefy davits. An exterior fridge saves the crew a trip to the galley for a cold drink, and a large locker to starboard of the windlass well holds docklines and big fenders.
Interior and Accommodations
Inside, the saloon and galley are large, practical, and filled with light. They flow seamlessly into the cockpit. Cat’s-eye ports in the hulls and large cabin-house windows keep the cabins bright and provide excellent visibility.
The interior woodwork is cherry-tinted Alpi, paired with a walnut-colored sole. Headroom is 6 feet 8 inches, and the berths measure 6 feet 6 inches by 5 feet 2 inches by 4 feet 1 inches.
Both the three- and four-cabin layouts give every occupant a private shower and head. In the three-cabin owner’s version, the entire starboard hull becomes the owners’ suite.
Electrical System and Solar Panels
Four solar panels are built into the bimini aft of the traveler. Paired with all-LED lighting, they minimize recharging time. The roof shades the cockpit while also supporting the panels.
House electrical capacity is 600 amp-hours at the house and starboard engine, with 100 amp-hours at the port engine.
Known Issues
One tester thought the furniture’s sharp-edged contemporary styling looked luxurious but was concerned about the pointed corners throughout the interior. The tester felt they could leave a welt if encountered in a seaway. This pointed furniture geometry is the one documented ergonomic caveat.
The Verdict
The Hélia 44 is a thoughtfully engineered cruising catamaran that combines a stiff, blister-resistant hull structure with a bright, sociable deck and interior plan. It sails and motors with verve, and the owner’s layout is genuinely generous. The pointed furniture corners are the one documented concern for crew comfort in rough conditions.
Pros
- Tough, well-engineered Berret Racoupeau hull with vacuum-bagged and infused construction
- Lively performance under sail and under twin 40-horsepower saildrive diesels
- Bright, seamless saloon-to-cockpit living area
- Private showers and heads for every occupant
- Strong solar installation and LED lighting that minimize generator dependence
Cons
- Pointed furniture corners noted as a potential bruising risk in a seaway
- Winches and stoppers are out of reach from the helm wheel
