![Helios 3 logo [Converti].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9287a5_7739465948d3474181a210fa29404388~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_217,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Helios%203%20logo%20%5BConverti%5D.png)
Built to travel and explore, Helios³’s exceptional interior volume and exterior deck space is as unique as her track record and pedigree
Considered the foremost shipyard in America, Delta Marine is renowned for the quality of their shipbuilding and, by any standard, the 54m (177’) HELIOS 3 further enhances the shipyard’s well-deserved reputation. Custom-built in 2012, at the time of her delivery HELIOS 3 was the largest all-composite, full-displacement motor yacht in the world.
Delta is a fully integrated shipyard and HELIOS 3 was engineered and designed by the Delta Design Group and entirely built onsite, from hull and superstructure to interior joinery, mechanical systems, and final
finish work. It is Delta’s defining strength and enables the yard to maintain exceptional quality control and build first-class yachts.
AT 776 gross tons and with over 697sqm (7,500 sq feet) of living area, HELIOS 3’s “Pacific Rim interior” can accommodate up to 16 guests in 7 staterooms including a private owner’s apartment and spacious guest areas indoor and out. Built to travel and explore, since early 2017 HELIOS 3 covered over 129K nautical miles in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific Ocean in comfort, safety and elegance.
Delta integrates cutting-edge marine and aerospace technologies in their building process, including, in the case of HELIOS 3, carbon fiber reinforcements, vacuum resin infusion, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). 3D design processes allowed for virtual modeling, detailed visualization, and digital-to-manufacturing workflows that improved precision and
efficiency. HELIOS 3’s fiberglass construction is very heavy. Her hull is made of 17 layers of resin-infused glass matt with no foam or balsa core below the waterline. Hull thickness averages 30mm up to 50mm in parts and is strengthened with carbon stringers up to 3" thick. The composite superstructure minimizes long term paint maintenance.
THE STORY
“To me, every yacht felt like a hotel at sea and not a single one had the warmth of a home. I wanted to build a place you could really settle into”.
Original owner
HELIOS 3 was built to be just that, an elegant multi-generational home on the water for relaxation with friends and family. The focus on family is apparent in the spacious interior layout. All guest entertainment and relaxation areas are on the main deck while up to 14 guests can be accommodated in 5 cabins in addition to the owner’s full-beam apartment on the bridge deck, with a triple stateroom for children.
Delta’s team lead designer, Christian Oliver, had created a ‘Pacific Rim’ ambiance with a happy and relaxed vibe featuring tropical hardwoods, macassar ebony, wenge and koa, on a soft cream palette with touches of color. Custom-made furniture includes a solid slab dining table with natural unfinished edges and colorful blown-glass lighting.
However, compared to the interior, the exterior aft decks were relatively small and enclosed with tinted windows. When HELIOS 3 changed hands in 2015, her current owner immediately took her back to Delta for a refit. The aim was to extend and open up the outside areas to achieve the same feeling of space and comfort as the interior.
No other shipyard in the world had the expertise to undertake a job of this magnitude in GRP and certainly not to the same quality as Delta. During the 18-month refit, HELIOS 3’s hull and bridge deck were lengthened and every inch, from her bilge to her mast, was renewed, replaced, rebuilt or refit. The tender garage was extended to include a beach club area with additional storage and crew areas. The whole feel of the yacht changed and she looked better than new.
![Helios O [Converti].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9287a5_af4d156bae084237bb106bb5c19cd68d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_960,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Helios%20O%20%5BConverti%5D.png)
Elegant and welcoming HELIOS 3 embraces you as soon as you walk on board. Conceived as a
home rather than a hotel on the water, the entire main deck is dedicated to family entertainment and includes a media room for games and movies
and a gym. HELIOS 3 accommodates up to 16 guests in 7 staterooms including the owner’s private apartment on the bridge deck.
ABOUT DELTA MARINE
Clients choose Delta for its innovation, technical excellence and extraordinary service
Delta is a Seattle-based family-owned and operated yacht-building business. Founded in 1967 as a commercial boatbuilding yard, Delta is without doubt the most respected name in American shipbuilding. The founders, accomplished flat-bottomed boat racers and world record holders, focused on building tough, modern fiberglass fishing vessels to replace the aging fleet of wooden boats. Their durable, low maintenance, fiberglass hulls were engineered for the demanding conditions of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. The venture exceeded all key benchmarks. To date, Delta has delivered
more than 800 vessels across the commercial and private sectors including 52 superyachts up to 73m (240’). The shipyard facilities cover 25 acres and include 27,871 m2 (300k square feet) of covered manufacturing space. Delta continues to be active in the commercial and yachting markets and, since the mid-90s, has branched out into the repair and refit segment handling everything from technical upgrades to full-scale interior renovations. Supported by in-house engineering and design teams, the yard can take on complex, high-quality refits efficiently and competitively as was the case for HELIOS 3.
The Advantages of GRP
GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) is a composite material made by layering woven glass fibers within a polymer matrix. In marine construction, it is an excellent alternative to steel for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s corrosion resistant. A yacht faces constant exposure to saltwater, harsh weather conditions, and corrosive elements. Unlike traditional materials like steel and aluminum , GRP is inherently resistant to corrosion and doesn’t rust. HELIOS 3’s hull is made up of 17 layers of woven glass and resin matrix. The thickness averages 30mm increasing to 50mm in parts and is strengthened with carbon stringers
up to 3” (7.62cm) thick. GRP has a high strength-to-weight ratio. Despite being much lighter than metal, GRP has exceptional tensile strength, and in yachting weight reduction is critical. GRP is versatile and can be molded into various shapes and forms, allowing for customized designs. GRP is non-conductive, a crucial safety feature since it reduces the risk of electrical hazards. Lastly, it is low maintenance and requires minimal upkeep compared to traditional materials. And since the GRP doesn’t rust, all technical areas and bilges are cleaner and easier to maintain.
![Profile color [Converti].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9287a5_28ee4c489eee4c50b8330bc171a1af12~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_290,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Profile%20color%20%5BConverti%5D.png)
SHORT SPECIFICATIONS
Builder
DELTA MARINE
Year
2012
Refit
2022
LOA
53.8m / 177'
Beam
10.30m / 33'10"
Draft
2.90m / 9'6"
Naval Architect
DELTA DESIGN GROUP
Exterior Designer
DELTA DESIGN GROUP
Interior Designer
DELTA DESIGN GROUP
GT
776
Flag
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Classification
Lloyds ✠ 100A1 SSC YACHT G6 MONO MCH
Cruising speed
14 knots
Top speed
16.85 knots
Range
5000nm @10 knots
Guests
16
Staterooms
7
Crew
14
