Recent content by AlaskanPuffin

I’m getting my 38-200 boat ready to launch from the boat yard and the drain plug that is just above the keel boats is removed, there is a approximately a 2.5” cavity around where the 3/4” stainless drain pipe comes through on the outside of the hull. I am planning to put a 3/4” stainless cap on...

That looks prefect. Thank you Christian.

Wow, that looks like it was just barely hanging on there. Glad it didn’t bust loose while you were sailing. My only thought is that the titanium could have the same problems as the stainless although it is a very strong and very corrosion resistant metal it is a very brittle metal and is prone...

I will measure them for you next time I'm down at the boat if someone else doesn’t answer first.

Thanks Christian! Yes it is a M40 engine with the Balmar alternator, 100 amp I think. I'm glad you and Marlin verified that I didn't need the alternator mount upgrade because I couldn’t find anything for the M40 on the alternator mount, it looks like a bad problem for the M25 especially with an...

I just finished reading your great write-up and I'm feeling inspired. Thanks Martin, great heads up. I'll put it on my repair list!

That is a good idea to open up the bolt holes to spread the load. Another thought is to TIG weld a vertical piece of stainless to either side of the plate to stiffen it up.

The first thing I would do is pull the plug and turn it over and see if it will spark while grounded to the block. If you are getting spark then check the fuel system and intake and exhaust valve function. If no spark then it's probably the coil or plug wire or possible distributor issue. I hope...

That makes sense. The metal would probably get fatigued from 40 years of vibrations, no mater what. Maybe it is just something that should be changed out every few decades. Ti is even more brittle than stainless so it could potentially suffer from the same problems.

She is a 89’. This is an old photo from when I first found the crack. It was under part of the winter cover which likely was added to hide the crack and that is why I didn’t see it before I purchased it. She has a Universal engine aft under the ladder with 769 hours on it. I’ll get some better...

Hi Everyone, I recently purchased an Ericson 38-200. She is a really nice boat and exactly what I was looking for. Unfortunately I missed it, the surveyor missed it and previous owner failed to mention it but there is a huge crack on the bow under the forestay chain plate/ anchor roller. The...

Wow! It looks like you caught that crack just in time. After seeing both yours and Christian's crack in the same location, I'll be checking mine with dye penetrant, just to be sure. It would be quite a mess if that chain plate let go while sailing. What are the downsides to replacing it with a...