helms 24

[rebourn]

i have posted a question on the helms forum and i am wondering if any one has done some great lakes sailing in one i am purchasing a helms 24 in perfect condition she needs nothing. i hva retired and iam planning on sailing from sault st marie mich down the coast of lake mich,towards chicago. i have friends there who are moored at the columbea yacht club, monroe harber. i am in no rush at at 54 feel luky i need to be nowhere. single, and a bachler i have giving up the rush of a business life and like my father said finaly figured out what was realy important. i have read what information i could on this boat and iam sure i will be happy with her. any information on these boats would be greatly appriceated. exuse my spelling. also any information on places of interest on this trip would be helpfull as iam spending this summer getting used to her and iam planning on leaving for florida 3rd wk of august down the intercoastal. anyone who had made this trip i would like to here about it. happy sailing, rebourn.

[kwaltersmi]

Congratulations on the Helms 24. Our first boat was a Helms 25 that we cruised on the eastern shores of Lake Michigan out of Grand Haven. She was a good boat with a very solid hull. My only issues were a few soft spots in the deck and some of the deck hardware was not backed sufficiently for my tastes. The 25 is an older design than the 24, and quite a bit different (swing keel vs. fixed fin, no standing headroom, etc.), but I can attest that Jack Helms seemed to have built decent boats, perfect for cruising the coastal waters of the Great Lakes.

The trip down from the Sault should be enjoyable, as there are many great ports along the way. I would have these on my list if you have the time: Hessel, Mac Island, Beaver Island, Charlevoix/Petoskey/Harbor Springs, Traverse Bay, South Mantiou, Leland, Frankfort, Portage Lake, Pentwater, Grand Haven, Holland, Saugatuck, South Haven.

Feel free to ask more specific questions. Also, I'm sure other L. Michigan sailors will pipe up shortly, as well as the few Helms sailors on this board.

[rebourn]

thanks for your reply island bound,glad to here the good review,another question i have do you think this style boat ,this one could handle the trip down the intercoastal to florida witch i plan to do 3rd wk august after i get comfertable with her. i relize the basics weather ect but would like to here from someone who has made thid trip. also i agre e about some of the mounting rigging, needing beefing up in the back plates, thanks again, rebourn