E41 Hull number “plate” found!

[Puget sailor]

Last spring I became the owner of a 1970 E41. I’ll write more about the boat later, it has some curious mods, and I’m pondering even more over time. Sold my Ericson 32-3 in the process.

I had previously discovered hull numbers on the undersides of all the cabin drawers, which have sharpie writing on them “41-42” which I assumed was the model and serial number of production.

Today while trying get ahead of the Pacific Northwest autumn algae arrival with a pressure washer I noticed something new, a shiny metallic builders “plate” in the cockpit where a previous clinometer had been mounted. I have not previously seen it there, so there must have been some protective tape over it which the pressure washer exfoliated for me. It confirms that my conclusion about the hull number was correct, as it has embossed into it “E-41 #42”.
It has clearly been protected from an earlier paint job by tape. And in spite of its shimmering metallic appearance, it is very thin and fragile, almost like foil, unless something else was behind it and it’s delaminating. Perhaps it was just a metalized sticker, which is now blistering up. I’ll carefully extract it from the paint and gelcoat to preserve it down below. One can see the base of the Ericson logo between “Ericson” and “Yachts” too, but the rest of it was not protected from paint.

more pics for context and location:


It’s in the center of the bridge deck. Old clinometer mountings on either side.

 

[Loren Beach]

I wonder if there was some common thinking in the 70's/80's industry about putting a plate or plaque in the cockpit? Perhaps... for the more expensive "higher end" builders?
Slightly newer "era" but I recall that when we bought our '81 Hinterhoeller Niagara 26, in 1983, it was sporting an impressive engraved plastic plaque in the cockpit with builder logo, name, model name and number on it. After a few years we noticed that UV exposure was fading it a lot and Hinterhoeller Yachts sent me a replacement plaque, which I framed in teak and posted on a bulkhead in the cabin.
Knowing no better, I figured that this sort of yacht-y labeling was normal for at least some parts of the industry. Ours was, at the time, the smallest of their boats, which tended toward the higher-price end of new boats in that era.
Interestingly, the next owner did comment on the presence of the inside plaque as one more reason he decided to buy the boat. Those companies are gone and the builders are retired or passed on, so we'll probably never know for sure.
Thanks again for the narrative!

 

[Mark F]

Hi Puget Sailer,
Did you get the E41 with the Oceanvolt?

 

[Christian Williams]

Very cool. And a looong cabin-house grab rail! Looking forward to interior pix.

 

[Puget sailor]

Yes, it is the one with the Oceanvolt system.

It was featured in this 2024 article, but the pics are prior to electric conversion:

Ericson 41 Used Boat Review - Practical Sailor

If you're into stylish lines and warm wood interiors, this fiberglass-hulled Ericson 41 will set you apart from the production boat pack.

www.practical-sailor.com

At some point I'll write up my notes on the current state of the electric conversion, and what I plan to do about it. Most likely augment with a generator to provide more practical cruising range without the need to plug in overnight. It's an oddity right now, but the boat was well priced even though the electric propulsion system was very expensive to implement by the prior owner, who I believed passed away prior to commissioning the system. My first impression from "motor sailing" it south from Sydney BC Bainbridge Island is that in spite of the challenges it presents, there are also benefits that make it worth trying to retain. Primarily that light air motor-sailing is much more practical and satisfying with a very quiet electric drive vs running a diesel. A little extra push to windward really helps out with apparent wind, so it's like a double benefit. And also help with the ability to point higher than one would normally expect. I suspect the range anxiety will result in sailing more and motoring less, which is also good. But Puget Sound is famous for light winds in summer that are either on the nose (so we motor) or dead astern (so we motor, because sailing results in minimal apparent wind). Once we get to cruising grounds, then we sail!

The other possible benefit of having a LOT of electric capacity on board is the possibility of going electric with other things such as cooking and refrigeration. Currently all the non propulsion wiring is original issue, in other words very tired and funky...

 

[Mike Brockman]

I have a 1970 E41 also I have looked all over for a hull number plate. If mine had the plate in the same spot, then it was removed a long time ago. I have found permanent marker on lots of interior sections with E41 #12. The previous owner had the boat documented as hull #12 and built in 1970. I question the year I think it might be earlier but not going to change the CG document.

 

[Kevin C]

I have hull #48, out of 50 purportedly built. I think Mike Brockman's documentation might be a little off, given that every other 1970 boat I've been able to find is a hull in the 40's, but no way would I change the CG document.

My boat has the hull number engraved into the electrical panel, which is still original but not for long. I rewired most of the boat when I bought it in summer 2023, except the panel. I think it's past due. Maybe this winter.

Puget Sailor, where are you going to keep her? Bainbridge? There's at least two 41's at Shilshole on D dock, Rubiyat and one I don't remember, and one in Bellingham, Firebrand (the boat that inspired me to find mine), and my boat Gamine at Anacortes. Useful to know this for looking at mods and upgrades. Also general gawking.

Kevin

 

[Puget sailor]

My boat lives in Port Madison on Bainbridge Island. I’ve chatted with a sistership owner who was visiting the nearby Seattle Yacht Club outstation nearby, and that boat likely lives in Silshole (straight across Puget Sound on the Seattle side for those unfamiliar). And a fellow member of my local club had a sistership E41 undergoing renovation and upgrades in his front yard under a bow roof shelter. He works to a high standard so it will be a bit before it splashes but it’ll get there and it’s inspiring. He has upgraded to a new rudder based on the Schumacher Cal 40 rudder upgrade design which looks really nice. I suspect it’ll be a huge improvement and one I need to do too.

I’ll post some more notes on my boat this winter.

 

[Mike Brockman]

My E41 is currently out of the water for a major refit. Its on my property in Vancouver, WA. I am going to do my best to get it back in the water this year.