Y flyer
Jack A. Helms Co. · designed by Alvin Youngquist · 1938
centerboardBermuda rigUnited States
The Y flyer is a 18-foot bermuda rig sailboat designed by Alvin Youngquist and built by Jack A. Helms Co., first launched in 1938.
General
| Builder | Jack A. Helms Co. |
|---|---|
| Designer | Alvin Youngquist |
| Years built | 1938 |
| Hull type | centerboard |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| Origin | United States |
Dimensions
| LOA | 18.17 ft5.54 m |
|---|---|
| LWL | 14.50 ft4.42 m |
| Beam | 5.67 ft1.73 m |
| Draft (max) | 4.00 ft1.22 m |
| Displacement | 500 lb227 kg |
| Ballast | —— |
| Sail Area | 161 ft²15.0 m² |
Design ratios
Computed from the specs above using the standard formulas. Try the sailboat calculators with your own numbers.
SA / Displacement 40.89 Performance / racer — powered up
Displacement / Length 73 Ultralight
Comfort Ratio 4.9 Racing / light coastal
Capsize Screening 2.86 Better suited to coastal use (> 2.0)
Hull Speed 5.1 kn Theoretical max displacement speed
How these numbers are calculated
- SA / Displacement
SA ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(2/3)— Power-to-weight. < 16 under-canvassed, 16–20 cruiser, > 20 racer.- Ballast / Displacement
Ballast ÷ Disp × 100— Stability/stiffness. Higher carries sail better.- Displacement / Length
Disp(lt) ÷ (0.01 · LWL)³— < 100 ultralight, 100–200 light, 200–300 moderate, > 300 heavy.- Comfort Ratio (Brewer)
Disp ÷ (0.65 · (0.7·LWL + 0.3·LOA) · Beam^1.33)— Motion in a seaway. Higher = more comfortable offshore.- Capsize Screening
Beam ÷ (Disp ÷ 64)^(1/3)— ≤ 2.0 favored for offshore; > 2.0 better for coastal use.- Hull Speed
1.34 · √LWL— Theoretical max displacement speed in knots.
Estimated price
$8,000 typical range $6,500 – $9,500
⚠ Rough estimate only — not market data. Derived from a simple model based on length and hull age; actual asking prices vary widely with condition, equipment, engine hours and location.
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