Projects

I lived aboard for three and a half years during my days as a naval officer in Long Beach and San Diego, CA, and then shipped the boat cross-country to Erie, PA. During that time I performed a serious amount of maintenance, some of which turned out to be quite gymnastic. Major work included:

• Removing and rebuilding the Atomic 4--an ordeal but a third as expensive and probably twice as interesting as repowering with diesel
• Removing and replacing with stainless the port engine bed, which had been made of mild steel, was glassed in and completely rusted
• Replacing the traditional stuffing box with a Lasdrop shaft seal
• Locating a replacement for the unusual 3-hole engine coupling connecting the V-drive to the 3/4-inch shaft (this involved learning what was for me a new machinist's term: "broaching")
• Recharging the Adler-Barbour refrigerator compressor
• Replacing and replumbing the head and holding tank
• Installing a permanent battery charger
• Replacing the chainplates for the aft lower shrouds due to the woefully small backing plates of the original chainplates
• Stripping and repainting the mast and aluminum rubrail with one-part polyurethane
• Replacing several corroded aluminum cabin window frames with plastic
• Painting the deck, also with one-part polyurethane
• Strengthening the core beneath each stanchion base with West System epoxy
• Refastening the stanchions using stainless steel backing plates
• Rewiring the 110VAC system, including adding circuit breakers and GFCI protection
• Installing Furlex roller furling, and adding a very clever vertically-battened 155% genoa designed by Erie, PA sailmaker Dave Bierig

I've completed a lot of other projects too numerous to mention. I have names and addresses for suppliers and experts for nearly everything I've done to the boat, which I would be happy to share and combine with those of other owners and post. I also tried to keep track of approximate project costs.

Subject: Equipment Rundown

Date: 07 July 1998

• A rebuilt A4, going strong.
• CDI 12x7 composite prop. Great in reverse, but I wish there was a little less pitch for higher rpms/more power in heavy weather.
• pressurized/hot water, hand shower
• 4 6v golfcart batteries, under pilotsberth
• Waterheater & CNG in port lazarette
• heart 1000 inverter
• Diesel heat (newport heater)
• AC Refrigeration...it works OK
• CNG gimballed stove/oven
• And a *glorious* new main.
• Holding tank bladder under vberth

Subject: Ericson 32 response

Date: 17 July 1998

Great boat and we have done several upgrades:

• 3 blade Max prop
• Radar on a Questus mount
• Garmin 210 at the binnacle
• Moved wind, depth, speed to the port bulkhead
• Insulated engine room
• Redid all teak below

Subject: Cruising Modifications

Date: 28 July 1998

Am currently doing major refurbishment in anticipation of retirement and joining the cruising life:

• Replaced all gate valves with sea cocks.
• Replaced all head plumbing.
• Replaced raw-water cooled Atomic 4 with a used fresh-water cooled one of later vintage.
• Wheel steering went kaput due to water squirting from rudder shaft stuffing box onto mild steel plates that held wire rope sheaves. Impossible to replace without taking deck off the boat. Removed plates and wheel, console, et al, and am back to the stick which I like better anyway. Besides, it's better for self-steering as there is less friction.
• Am in process of covering over rear cockpit to provide additional storage and to permit adding two extra batteries on port side in old cockpit close to wind generator on port quarter.
• Built new instrument panel using plastic cutting board for instrument mounts and will mount same on aft bulkhead in cockpit.
• Additional projects in progress: replace all standing rigging, add jib furling and new 130 or 150 % genoa, new fully battened main with straight roach, add windvane self-steering if the $s last, add PUR 40 watermaker, replace rub rails with either oak or teak, and repaint hull jade green with deck in sandtone.

Lots of work, but as they say, "Anyone that owns a boat deserves it."

Subject: Cruising Modifications

Date: 18 Aug 1998

"Elysian" is very well equipped for cruising and easy to single-hand which I do quite often.

Short list of improvements/modifications:

• repowered with a 20 hp Bukh diesel out of a Swan (1/3 gph at 5 knots)
• hard dodger
• Hood roller furler
• Auto-Helm wind vane
• Auto-Helm auto-pilot and instruments
• Lewmar self-tailing winches
• mainsheet traveler repositioned to cabin top
• extra fresh water tank
• battery charger/inverter
• solar panels
• Furuno 16 mile radar
• Garmin GPS
• ice box converted to refrigerator
• rewired 12 vdc and 110 vac systems
• new oversized standing rigging
• stainless backing plates on stanchion bases
• pole-less cruising spinnaker

Subject: New E-32 listing

Date: 09 Sep 1998

1975 Ericson 32 "Good Life" purchased from original owner in 1997 - history of inland fresh water summer use only and stored on trailer and out of water since 1988 near Pocatello, Idaho. Hauled to Portland, Oregon with standard V8 351 Ford F-250 PU. Currently being refurbished with relaunch expected in spring 1999. Major jobs include:

• bottom epoxy barrier coating
• repair of water soaked chain plate area
• repair of rotting bulkhead to chain plate attachment (left side only)
• refurb of wood trim and topside
• replacement of frozen gate valves
• substantial crazing of gelcoat from bottom of keel to waterline probably due to winter temperature extremes on thickened hull layup area. Double spreader rig
• Extremely well outfitted by former owner including roller furling jib AND main, three blade maxi prop, dual set of sails.

Ericson design/building disappointments include;

• use of gate valves
• unsealed propane locker
• copper piping for propane to stove connection
• unsecured gas tank
• weird collection of plumbing fittings - lack of proper pipe to hose bibs
• homemade junction of unknown metal for cockpit drains
• amateur like sink drain

Doug Howard

tenders note: I agree with Doug's observations on design and building weaknesses. There is no place for gate valves on any boat for any reason, and you should have difficulty sleeping at night if you still have any onboard. They are easy to replace with more durable seacocks when the boat is out of the water.

Having replaced the cockpit and sink drains I can confirm that they are made of chromed brass (not bronze) and are standard household drain parts, which I found for under $15 at Home Depot. I suppose they are susceptible to corrosion but because they sit well above the waterline they're primarily exposed only to freshwater. However, using very hot water, liquid detergent, and a little determination, you can give good rubber hosing 5-8 inches of grip on them, which will easily accommodate three or four hoseclamps if you feel so inclined. This is probably safe enough if you check the fittings every few years.

Subject: Ericson 32

Date: 03 Oct 1998

DawnTreader was previously in the Charter Feet and named Shaharazad, but was kept in very good condition.

She's outfitted with:

Atomic 4 (I've grown to like it, really)

wheel steering

22 kg Bruce Anchor with 20 ft 3/8 high strength chain on 200 feet of 5/8 inch rode

DawnTreader can slow down and almost backup after installing the CDI Polyurethane Prop ($175). I am very pleased with this prop and have noticed about 100-150 rpm reduction (less slip) as well as very quiet and no vibration

First Mate's Mother's Day present was a ProFurl L-32 and a North high clew (flat) 125. (I bet she was thrilled.) It is taking some time to get use to the high cut and I find the boat isn't long enough to locate the blocks aft. Anyway, I was always impressed by the balance of the North 150, reefable 110. We also are increasingly using our North cruising Gennaker.