SoloWriter
Member I
Hi Ericson folks, I'm fairly new here, but love this forum, chock full of great info.
My wife and I are in contract on a 1987 Ericson 32-3 for $30k. We got the survey done last week, and had a couple issues pop up.
There is apparently a successful de-lam repair on foredeck just aft of anchor locker, but there were still high moisture readings in the side deck adjacent to the head port light. Decks felt extremely solid, and didn't flex at all with my 220lbs on them, so I'm not that concerned about that, if I can re-bed the portlight and stop the leak.
But the boat also has the seized shift linkage and throttle cables which have been so well documented here: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/e32-200-shift-cable-replacement.3497/ After the sea trial, the surveyor said he would not take it out of the slip again due to concern of them snapping underway.
After reading about the acrobatics others have performed to address this, I'd prefer not to tackle this job myself. I called some yards and got a range of $700-$3000 to address it, based on how easily the Yacht Specialties binnacle comes apart, which from the experiences listed here, seems not often.
To address that, the broker suggested putting $3k of the $30k in an escrow account to fund the repair, with any leftover going back to the seller. I said that would be fine, but while the seller initial considered it, they now are saying no and want $30k firm. The broker then said they'd be willing to throw in $1,500 of their commission to make the deal work. The seller has gone back and forth several times and doesn't seem committed to selling, and I think the broker wants to cut bait and if we don't buy it, drop the listing.
My concern is this. The boat is in fairly good shape, in that it hasn't been used very much. Engine has good compression, etc., sails are older in age but not in use, and had good shape aloft, full battens. Surveyor said unlike so many other Ericson's he's seen, this boat wasn't rode hard and put away wet. But the other way to look at it is, the boat hasn't really been rode at all, and it got wet after it was put away.
Portlights and hatches are all original and leak which rotted out teak veneer inside, mast boot/collar leaks, Barient ST winches are chunky from lack of use/maintenance, running rigging is shot, standing rigging is original and needs replacing, lifelines need replacing, cushions are original and need replacing. Only electronics are original mid 80s VHF and a GPS circa 2000 or so, so that needs updating as well. I'd also like a dodger, which the boat doesn't have. It does have a Maxprop, which was a happy surprise, and the boat backs like a champ if you can get the transmission in reverse.
Now, a 1985 C&C Landfall 35 has popped up for sale for $25k. In the last three years, it has: new sails, running rigging, lifelines, dodger, interior plumbing, interior cushions with Sunbrella, hatches, port lights rebedded, new cutlass bearing, fairly updated electronics. Sailed regularly. Standing rod rigging is likely original, and I've seen estimates of $6k to replace, but then it seems to last longer than wire rope. Issues: I'm not crazy about the idea of a cored hull below the waterline, and the rear rail is bent from an apparent collision with something. Also, it's the shoal draft version, which will likely be more tender and not ideal for West Coast winds.
I haven't been aboard the C&C and haven't surveyed it. I've only seen pics, which look clean, but you can never tell for sure, and there could well be other issues not yet apparent. I did have an in-depth conversation with the seller, and he seems to have maintained it well since buying it 3 years ago, but said the previous owner had not done the same. He's selling now because he wants a bigger, more modern boat. We will hopefully take it for sea trial next week.
On my spreadsheet, to bring the boats to comparable condition and outfitting, I'm estimating I'd be in for about $48,500 for the Ericson (with broker credit of $1,500) or $36,000 for the C&C if no other issues are discovered.
Whatever boat we choose, we'll use it for weekend sails in SF Bay. No plans on taking it to Hawaii, etc.
I would love to hear this forum's thoughts on this situation, the pros and cons of each choice and what decision you all would make in my place. Thanks.
My wife and I are in contract on a 1987 Ericson 32-3 for $30k. We got the survey done last week, and had a couple issues pop up.
There is apparently a successful de-lam repair on foredeck just aft of anchor locker, but there were still high moisture readings in the side deck adjacent to the head port light. Decks felt extremely solid, and didn't flex at all with my 220lbs on them, so I'm not that concerned about that, if I can re-bed the portlight and stop the leak.
But the boat also has the seized shift linkage and throttle cables which have been so well documented here: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/threads/e32-200-shift-cable-replacement.3497/ After the sea trial, the surveyor said he would not take it out of the slip again due to concern of them snapping underway.
After reading about the acrobatics others have performed to address this, I'd prefer not to tackle this job myself. I called some yards and got a range of $700-$3000 to address it, based on how easily the Yacht Specialties binnacle comes apart, which from the experiences listed here, seems not often.
To address that, the broker suggested putting $3k of the $30k in an escrow account to fund the repair, with any leftover going back to the seller. I said that would be fine, but while the seller initial considered it, they now are saying no and want $30k firm. The broker then said they'd be willing to throw in $1,500 of their commission to make the deal work. The seller has gone back and forth several times and doesn't seem committed to selling, and I think the broker wants to cut bait and if we don't buy it, drop the listing.
My concern is this. The boat is in fairly good shape, in that it hasn't been used very much. Engine has good compression, etc., sails are older in age but not in use, and had good shape aloft, full battens. Surveyor said unlike so many other Ericson's he's seen, this boat wasn't rode hard and put away wet. But the other way to look at it is, the boat hasn't really been rode at all, and it got wet after it was put away.
Portlights and hatches are all original and leak which rotted out teak veneer inside, mast boot/collar leaks, Barient ST winches are chunky from lack of use/maintenance, running rigging is shot, standing rigging is original and needs replacing, lifelines need replacing, cushions are original and need replacing. Only electronics are original mid 80s VHF and a GPS circa 2000 or so, so that needs updating as well. I'd also like a dodger, which the boat doesn't have. It does have a Maxprop, which was a happy surprise, and the boat backs like a champ if you can get the transmission in reverse.
Now, a 1985 C&C Landfall 35 has popped up for sale for $25k. In the last three years, it has: new sails, running rigging, lifelines, dodger, interior plumbing, interior cushions with Sunbrella, hatches, port lights rebedded, new cutlass bearing, fairly updated electronics. Sailed regularly. Standing rod rigging is likely original, and I've seen estimates of $6k to replace, but then it seems to last longer than wire rope. Issues: I'm not crazy about the idea of a cored hull below the waterline, and the rear rail is bent from an apparent collision with something. Also, it's the shoal draft version, which will likely be more tender and not ideal for West Coast winds.
I haven't been aboard the C&C and haven't surveyed it. I've only seen pics, which look clean, but you can never tell for sure, and there could well be other issues not yet apparent. I did have an in-depth conversation with the seller, and he seems to have maintained it well since buying it 3 years ago, but said the previous owner had not done the same. He's selling now because he wants a bigger, more modern boat. We will hopefully take it for sea trial next week.
On my spreadsheet, to bring the boats to comparable condition and outfitting, I'm estimating I'd be in for about $48,500 for the Ericson (with broker credit of $1,500) or $36,000 for the C&C if no other issues are discovered.
Whatever boat we choose, we'll use it for weekend sails in SF Bay. No plans on taking it to Hawaii, etc.
I would love to hear this forum's thoughts on this situation, the pros and cons of each choice and what decision you all would make in my place. Thanks.
