Ericson 30+ Cabin Top Core

[Dave G.]

Hi all,
My boat has never had lines led aft and I am about to start that process. My assumption is that the entire cabin top does not have a plywood core but that there are certain areas that do, maybe ? My question to all you 30+ skippers here is; do you know if and if so where the plywood core is in the cabin top for mounting organizers, clutches, and winches ? To all, if those areas exist how would one identify same short of drilling holes ?

 

[Loren Beach]

Different boat, from production in 1988. Our cabin top has all balsa coring. We have found plywood core under the cockpit sole, under the traveler on the bridge deck, and under the winch mounting areas beside the cockpit.
My thought is to drill the new holes where they belong, and then overdrill/epoxy/redrill, no matter what the core is.

 

[Dave G.]

My thought is to drill the new holes where they belong, and then overdrill/epoxy/redrill, no matter what the core is

I totally agree and in the end probably what will happen. I think most of these boats were delivered with lines to the cockpit and have read that plywood has been found under cabin top mounted rigging hardware. My thought(hope) is that Ericson built all the same boat, including plywood core areas as they didn't know how each hull would be equipped, and if so they should be close to where I would need them. Long shot....YES and nobody probably knows for sure. Guess I'll find out one way or the other.

 

[bigd14]

I found balsa coring under the line organizer areas aft and outboard of the mast.

 

[Dave G.]

I found balsa coring under the line organizer areas aft and outboard of the mast.

Thanks bigd, did Ericson over drill & epoxy the holes or ? What about next to the companionway port side for clutches and winch ?

 

[Christian Williams]

I think the sea hood is plywood core, but otherwise just in locations for winches and stanchions and cleats.

My deck was core. The design of deck organizers is to hold down a steel box with the bolts of its sheaves, and Ericson just used fender washers on my boat, no need even for a backing plate.

...

 

[bigd14]

and Ericson just used fender washers on my boat, no need even for a backing plate.

Same on mine. The loads are mostly in shear so no need for backing plates.

And zero epoxy/over drill. Primitive!
Winch pad areas appeared to be plywood though.

 

[Loren Beach]

Note that there were some high-quality subtile construction techniques that EY used. One was noticed by our ship wright when I was removing all the deck hardware. Those 'fender washers' are a lot thicker than those sold at the chandler nowadays. More importantly EY had chamfered the top of almost every hole for a fastening thru our deck. This greatly expands the area for the 5200 sealant to bond to. We found the coring to be dry when we did this work in 2020/21. That's pretty good for a boat constructed in 1988.

 

[Dave G.]

And zero epoxy/over drill. Primitive!

5200 or ? Did you have any leaks/wet core ?

 

[Dave G.]

The design of deck organizers is to hold down a steel box with the bolts of its sheaves, and Ericson just used fender washers on my boat, no need even for a backing plate.

I'm guessing those bolts are PRE sawzall. Did you cut them right at the bottom of the nut or leave a couple threads ?

 

[Christian Williams]

Yes, flush, and a Sawzall is a pretty clumsy tool for this. A Dremel or a cutting bit would be better. As an added disincentive, the last such Sawzall cut I made, for another installation, dropped the red-hot bolt end onto the inside of the headliner where it burned itself through as I watched. Then I picked it up off the sole and burned my fingers. Hmmmm.

 

[Dave G.]

where it burned itself through as I watched. Then I picked it up off the sole and burned my fingers. Hmmmm.

Soooh.. a metal cookie sheet & gloves. Thanks for the foresight !

 

[Pete the Cat]

I'm guessing those bolts are PRE sawzall. Did you cut them right at the bottom of the nut or leave a couple threads ?

The way we "cut" deck bolts to flush in the boatyard is to always insert oversized (by an inch or more) fastener. Put all the washers, backing plates etc in place. Put the nut on it. Tighten it all up. Take a vise grip and grab the exposed length of bolt and wiggle it back and forth until it breaks. Works great on bolts to 3/16". You might have to use a file for burrs if you are putting acorn nuts on them, but it is much faster and less likely to damage the boat or your eyes than using a grinder.

 

[Kenneth K]

With a cloth headliner, there is often a little extra space to tolerate a few protruding threads. Dry fit the bolts and cut close-to-finished length before installing. Then cover the exposed tips with rubber end caps.

 

[bigd14]

dropped the red-hot bolt end onto the inside of the headliner where it burned itself through as I watched

Yes, it took me two pinholes in the headliner to amend my ways! I now use a small hack saw (the one that holds the end of the blade so just the free end is used for sawing). I put a small notch in the bolt with the saw then using vice grips it easily breaks off.