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Looked at an Ericson 27 - things I noticed. Feedback appreciated

Interminabilis

New Member
I went to see an Ericson 27 on the hard with the mast stepped so I could see inside and out but not the entire mast or rigging fwiw. I took some pictures of things I was concerned with but don't know how big of a deal they are. Any feedback/thoughts appreciated.

The first thing I noticed walking on the deck was some bounce. The cockpit had had a fiberglass repair but still felt tender. Up around the forward hatch it was positively springy and felt like there was an empty pocket under the deck at some points. The area around the mast was firm but possibly because of the weight of the mast. Inside the cabin there was quite a bit of water damage on the bulkhead that is under the mast making me think water could be leaking in that way.
IMG_5399.JPEG
This is inside the head looking at where the bulkhead attaches to the mast step. You can see my finger sinks right into the wood there it is very soft.
The step itself seems newer and in good condition, but if there is water damage underneath it might just be covering up that. This is what I mean: IMG_5403.JPEG
Moving on to the chainplates.... I removed the side panels to take a look at them from the inside. The side panels were both water damaged and there was certainly water getting through the chainplates, I could even see daylight through one looking from the inside out. The metal itself looked fine, the parts I could see.

There was cracking in the cabin ceiling as well that looked like it could make the core repair job around the fore hatch a big job. IMG_5388.JPEG.
better angle of rotting bulkhead and notice crack in ceiling there.
IMG_5383.JPEG
looked like there was probably leaks in the hull/deck joint too. seemed like too much light getting in when i was inside, and looked pretty worn out from the outside.
IMG_5405.JPEG
All in all I liked the boat, but there are too many issues that could lead to bigger issues once I start working on them for me to risk it. What do you think? I have a lot more pictures if any one is interested in anything specific.
 

bigd14

Contributing Partner
Blogs Author
Run away. That boat had been severely neglected. If those kinds of issues are readily apparent there are a hundred more that are not visible. Plenty of other boats around that don’t have as many issues (they all have some issues). But this one sounds like a disaster. Good luck with your search.
 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
Soft decks may mean the core is saturated. (Decks are a sandwich of fiberglass top and bottom with balsa core in between.) That would be a potential deal-killer for me.

The water damage to the interior is result of leaks that probably require re-bedding of fittings. It's difficult to return badly damaged interior wood to cosmetic success, and rot has to be replaced.

Post the public listing, if there is one.
 

nquigley

Sustaining Member
Run away. That boat had been severely neglected. If those kinds of issues are readily apparent there are a hundred more that are not visible. Plenty of other boats around that don’t have as many issues (they all have some issues). But this one sounds like a disaster. Good luck with your search.
Agree with bigd14 - even if this boat is free, it's too much to pay - it'll cost you a fortune and a TON of time to repair all those things. Spend your $ on something that's structurally sound, and mainly just needs cleaning, paint and varnish from years of disuse.
 

Interminabilis

New Member
Thanks, I agree with both of you on this. I think it might be more work than would be worth it for me at this point. The listing didnt have pictures but advertised for $2500: "1973 Ericson 27, Atomic 4 engine professionally maintained in very good condition, newer fuel tank, custom teak hatch, CDI furler, cruiser/daysailer, hull color white, bottom in good shape stripped very smooth seven years ago. Summer mooring available at no cost." https://providence.craigslist.org/boa/d/warwick-for-sale/7304176488.html

On the entirely opposite end of the spectrum I came across this beautiful ericson 333 https://nh.craigslist.org/boa/d/new-castle-ericson-333/7300752326.html
 

billie williams

Member II
Thank you all. You're input is confirming my suspicions, and confirming that my research and self education this last year has not been in vain. On to the next one,

Excellent decision. You'll find the right boat - but sometimes it can take a bit of time. Good luck with the search!
 

gabriel

Live free or die hard
those cracks look like signs that the mast compression post has failed (rotted) and the weight (rig tension) was on the cabin trunk causing the cracks.

The bulkheads are easy enough to replace but the compression post needs to be fabricated out of a couple pieces of rough mahogany.
 

Kenneth K

1985 32-3, Puget Sound
Blogs Author
If you like that 333, you should look at '85-'89 E32s. The average ask for a well kept 32 of that age is about 30K. These boats are 32.5' LOA and displace 9800#. That's 1700# lighter and 1/2 the price of that 333.
 

Gaviate

Member III
Your intuitions are correct. Better to look elsewhere..as suggested above, structural repairs are a non starter for me...now that I know what I know:)
 

wynkoop

Member III
If
those cracks look like signs that the mast compression post has failed (rotted) and the weight (rig tension) was on the cabin trunk causing the cracks.

The bulkheads are easy enough to replace but the compression post needs to be fabricated out of a couple pieces of rough mahogany.
I suspect the compression post is damaged from water coming down the hole that the mast wiring runs through. The wiring runs behind the trim that you have a photo of inside the head. I fought for years to keep water from coming down there on Silver Maiden. No matter how well I sealed the hole in the mast step I always seemed to get water down.

Two things took care of the issue for me. First I drilled some holes through the mast and mast step to allow water that somehow was getting into the mast to drain out. Second I injected the deck with injectadeck. Not only is the deck in the area no longer springy, but I no longer have water ingress at the site of the wire penetration.
 
Last edited:

watergal

New Member
If

I suspect the compression post is damaged from water coming down the hole that the mast wiring runs through. The wiring runs behind the trim that you have a photo of inside the head. I fought for years to keep water from coming down there on Silver Maiden. No matter how well I sealed the hole in the mast step I always seemed to get water down.

Two things took care of the issue for me. First I drilled some holes through the mast and mast step to allow water that somehow was getting into the mast to drain out. Second I injected the deck with injectadeck. Not only is the deck in the area no longer springy, but I no longer have water ingress at the site of the wire penetration.
Can you explain more about injectadeck? ive got islander 36 stepped but weakness around mast from leakage at joint.
I got to this post because I also have e27 and am replacing spreaders and thought I could learn more or share what I know. Dwyer seems to have best equipment. any other recommendation ? however I'd run from that e27 and grab the e29. although I'd look at electric conversion. gas such a safety issue.
 

gabriel

Live free or die hard
Can you explain more about injectadeck? ive got islander 36 stepped but weakness around mast from leakage at joint.
I got to this post because I also have e27 and am replacing spreaders and thought I could learn more or share what I know. Dwyer seems to have best equipment. any other recommendation ? however I'd run from that e27 and grab the e29. although I'd look at electric conversion. gas such a safety issue.
I was going to ask the same! I have a small soft spot in my cockpit sole that I would rather not cut open.
 

wynkoop

Member III
There is a whole thread about injectadeck on the forum. I think it pretty much discusses it. I love the product, but it will not make up for not having a proper solid properly sized post under the mast step.
 

Christian Williams

E381 - Los Angeles
Senior Moderator
Blogs Author
 
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