Just bought a 1981 Independence 31 Cutter!

[Christian Williams]

To me, the picture (Post #35) suggests a try at a fix. It's very thin veneer, which can only take a little light sanding.

I would make numerous test stains until the result was near original color, then gingerly apply with an artist brush. Perfection unlikely . Coat with satin varnish, of which Interlux has only a minor stain.

On the interior of my current boat, I am convinced that Ericson applied stain-varnish with brush or sometimes a rag, for awkward raw pieces, and that it is the color of the varnish we are trying to match, as much as that of the veneer.


Back (unseen) side of wine locker, E381

 

[Wondering Star]

Hey Dave!

I think I owe you and perhaps the members here an apology. I was in conversation with the rep of Wondering Star and was feeling confident she was coming my way so in hopes of getting more info/history I joined here under that name Wondering Star. Because of that and I really like the name! So first want to apologize for taking the name and would be happy to ( I'm not sure how this works... I'm kinda old lol ) but would be happy to give it to you here; and second congratulations! I'm super happy you have this boat cuz I can feel your excitement! Its been a min for me since I felt that but can still remember it well... nothing like it. Also I'm in SD fairly often for several reasons... but a friend of mine from here (I/we live in Lahaina ) bought a boat there after all of ours burnt ... so I go out there and play around on boats fairly often. Having said that I am happy to meet and help you with anything I can. I think these boats are some of the most hansom drawn for a production boat, and lord knows sailing is 50% romance and art, at least for me. I'm actually still looking for a good one of these fine vessels... there are a couple in S. Calif. so might be a neighbor soon, who knows?
In the meantime, not sure if I can leave my number here but will try, otherwise I guess through this site?
All the best!
Aloha!
Casey
808-385-2800
email ctrmaui@yahoo.com
I noticed you have an 808 in your name as well?

 

[DTrail808]

Hey Dave!

I think I owe you and perhaps the members here an apology. I was in conversation with the rep of Wondering Star and was feeling confident she was coming my way so in hopes of getting more info/history I joined here under that name Wondering Star. Because of that and I really like the name! So first want to apologize for taking the name and would be happy to ( I'm not sure how this works... I'm kinda old lol ) but would be happy to give it to you here; and second congratulations! I'm super happy you have this boat cuz I can feel your excitement! Its been a min for me since I felt that but can still remember it well... nothing like it. Also I'm in SD fairly often for several reasons... but a friend of mine from here (I/we live in Lahaina ) bought a boat there after all of ours burnt ... so I go out there and play around on boats fairly often. Having said that I am happy to meet and help you with anything I can. I think these boats are some of the most hansom drawn for a production boat, and lord knows sailing is 50% romance and art, at least for me. I'm actually still looking for a good one of these fine vessels... there are a couple in S. Calif. so might be a neighbor soon, who knows?
In the meantime, not sure if I can leave my number here but will try, otherwise I guess through this site?
All the best!
Aloha!
Casey
808-385-2800
email ctrmaui@yahoo.com
I noticed you have an 808 in your name as well?

Aloha Casey! We moved to San Diego from Maui Meadows about a year ago. Small world, haha. No worries on the name. We're renaming her to Destello Verde (green flash) as soon as I can get a group together for the ceremony. I'd be thrilled to meet up with you! I'll send you a text soon so we have each other's info. Super stoked to hear from you!

Dave

 

[Wondering Star]

Aloha Dave!
Very cool! Yeah let me know and I'll bring some Hawaiian sea salt for the ceremony if you want! Love the new name! Guessing you know many mariners consider name change bad luck, kinda like bananas on fishing boats here... turns out I'm not of that belief but still do things to help the change over
Yeah yeah anytime brah, always available Yup super stoked to meet up!
Anybody know anything about a boat named "Windancer" ? Or any other boats that are available and in good condition.?
Aloha!

 

[DTrail808]

Hey Everyone. We've been talking about my new boat and how excited I am, I thought you might like to see the boat and my stoke in a little more detail. Please don't forget to like subscribe, and share! lol

 

[DTrail808]

What a difference a good polish makes!!

 

[Wondering Star]

Very cool and fun video as well

 

[DTrail808]

Very cool and fun video as well

Thanks! Need to get her out sailing to shoot some more videos, but they're coming.

 

[DTrail808]

I took my boat out a few weeks ago with a fantastic captain and friend @Wondering Star . We filled the diesel tank full, because I thought it was worth doing. In hindsight that might have been a bad idea, but nonetheless it exposed a potential big problem. I came back to the boat after a big rain here in San Diego and inspected the bilge. There was definitely a red tint to everything else in the nastiness of the bilge. I located a very slow drip from the fuel tank area (couldn't see exactly where the hole is), and am a little concerned about the fuel leak.

Has anybody replaced their fuel tank or have ideas on a less invasive replacement. I assume this could be a major undertanking given the location of the tank.

 

[David Vaughn]

Since you noticed it after filling the tank and sailing, I’d try to locate every hose / fuel line attachment into and out of the tank and wrap each in paper towel. See if anything shows up. It may be that fuel sloshing at a higher level than before has found a loose hose clamp or bad connection. Also check that the access port is fully closed and sealant is intact. The port was a factory feature on the original tanks, but if original it’s pushing 50 years. It should be under the plywood floor of the starboard locker.

Just a few days ago I discovered a similar issue with ours. A slight staining at the inside forward corner where it’s tabbed to the hull. Not bad, but it wasn’t there a few months ago.

Haven’t tackled it yet but we’re hauling out soon so I’ll pump the tank out, clean it and see if it can be repaired in place with one of the ‘paint on’ sealant products for fuel tanks.

On yours, if you think it needs replacing, from the looks of ours and comments in the brochure, the tabbing that holds it in place can be cut away without too much trouble and the tank can probably come out the hatch in the cockpit floor (Kotona has one of those, I believe it was factory. If yours doesn’t that would complicate removal).

 

[DTrail808]

Since you noticed it after filling the tank, and sailing I’d try to locate every hose / fuel line attachment into and out of the tank and wrap each in paper towel. See if anything shows up. It may be that fuel sloshing at a higher level than before has found a loose hose clamp or bad connection. Also check that the access port is fully closed and sealant is intact. The port was a factory feature on the original tanks, but if original it’s pushing 50 years. It should be under the plywood floor of the starboard locker.

Just a few days ago I discovered a similar issue with ours. A slight staining at the inside forward corner where it’s tabbed to the hull. Not bad, but it wasn’t there a few months ago.

Haven’t tackled it yet but we’re hauling out soon so I’ll pump the tank out, clean it and see if it can be repaired in place with one of the ‘paint on’ sealant products for fuel tanks.

On yours, if you think it needs replacing, from the looks of ours and comments in the brochure, the tabbing that holds it in place can be cut away without too much trouble and the tank can probably come out the hatch in the cockpit floor (Kotona has one of those, I believe it was factory. If yours doesn’t that would complicate removal).

Great suggestions. Funny how I went to "the sky is falling"! lol I'll take a look at the hoses and fittings to see if that's the culprit (with fingers crossed). I do have a nice sized hatch in the cockpit floor, and it's good to hear that as an option. Thanks for the info David!

 

[David Vaughn]

You’re welcome.
Let us know what you find out.

 

[Kenneth K]

We filled the diesel tank full, because I thought it was worth doing. In hindsight that might have been a bad idea...

Some Ericson fuel tanks (varies by boat) have recessed areas that house the ports and pipe/tubing connectors. If yours is like this, filling the tank to capacity puts the recessed area "under water," and, thus, causes the gaskets/seals to seep (while under pressure) even though they were "dry" under normal "sloshing" conditions when the tank was filled below capacity.



Above, you can see diesel seeping out around the fuel quantity sender gasket when I filled my tank to capacity.

 

[Waayout]

This happened to me as well. I wasn't paying attention and the fuel pump stopped, a bit of fuel spit out the vent, and I knew it wasn't great to completely top off a boat this age (having worked summers at a gas dock on lake Erie as a kid). Sailed a few times, pink bilge, sucked it out and disposed of it properly. Checked everything, didn't see weeping/leaking, dry bilge, hasn't happened again, decided I won't do that again!

 

[DTrail808]

That's

This happened to me as well. I wasn't paying attention and the fuel pump stopped, a bit of fuel spit out the vent, and I knew it wasn't great to completely top off a boat this age (having worked summers at a gas dock on lake Erie as a kid). Sailed a few times, pink bilge, sucked it out and disposed of it properly. Checked everything, didn't see weeping/leaking, dry bilge, hasn't happened again, decided I won't do that again!

exactly how my fill went! I filled it like a car so it was pretty full.

 

[Jim Simons]

Welcome. Your sistership is currently on the Tennessee River. We’ve had her for little over two years. Awesome boats.

This place is a wealth of Ericson knowledge. Be glad to answer any questions I can specific to the E31, they are unique in a few ways. View attachment 51691