Ericson 35-2 need a new strut

adam

adam

Member III
I have and Ericson 35-2. It's one of the ones made with the engine under the stairs.

My strut has corroded away. Does anyone have a source for a replacement strut. Ideally they'd already have a casting and can just pour me a new one.

Speed is of the essence. I need to get this boat back in the water!
 
tenders

tenders

Innocent Bystander
This topic has come up before and I bookmarked these sites out of sheer terror in case I ever needed them in the heat of the moment. So far, I haven't. Two are in Washington State and the third is in Mystic, Connecticut.

http://www.porttownsendfoundry.com/drivetrain

http://www.morelindustries.com/mari...ng-foundry-service-company-seattle-washington

http://mysticriverfoundry.com/marine2-05.html

Edit: wait, there's more!

Another potential manufacturer, again in Washington State - this posting posits that they have the original Ericson molds:
http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?5224-Broken-Strut

This is their website:
http://www.marinehardware.com/

And somebody else in your boat, so to speak:
http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?14411-E-35-2-broken-strut
 
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garryh

Member III
Adam, presented with this situation I would consider upgrading your strut to be able to accommodate a 7/8" or even 1" prop shaft. You like myself and other 35-2 owners likely have the original 3/4" shaft which just seems a bit measly for a 35' boat. I have NO engineering expertise, but I see 1" shafts on some 30's now and they would not do that for no reason.
And if an upgrade to a diesel were ever to be contemplated, I think a 1" shaft would be the way to go.
In one thread mentioned above, one poster suggested a SS strut vs bronze. I think this introduces a crevice corrosion situation and should be avoided.
Good luck with it. garry
 
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garryh

Member III
the other issue is reason for the corrosion... any idea what has happened to the strut and why? stray current etc..?
 
bigd14

bigd14

Contributing Partner
Blogs Author
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adam

adam

Member III
Tenders, thanks super useful.

Garry, my boat already had a 1" prop shaft. I guess it came with one unless the strut has already been replaced once.
 
Rocinante33

Rocinante33

Contributing Partner
bigd14 said:
http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/entry.php?471-1984-E30-Strut-Replacement-Part-1

Marine Hardware in Seattle should be able to cast you a new one based on the molds they have, even if you want to upsize to 1 inch.
Talk to Don Starbuck. He knows his stuff and did a great job for me. Good luck.

Don Starbuck, customer service manager
Marine Hardware Inc. www.marinehardware.com
Phone: 425-883-0651 ext. 229
Fax : 425-869-1232
Email : don@marinehardware.com
Click to expand...

+1 for Marine Hardware up in Washington. I bought a new stuffing box from them. Good people to work with.
 
tenders

tenders

Innocent Bystander
bigd14 said:
http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/entry.php?471-1984-E30-Strut-Replacement-Part-1

Marine Hardware in Seattle should be able to cast you a new one based on the molds they have, even if you want to upsize to 1 inch.
Talk to Don Starbuck. He knows his stuff and did a great job for me. Good luck.

Don Starbuck, customer service manager
Marine Hardware Inc. www.marinehardware.com
Phone: 425-883-0651 ext. 229
Fax : 425-869-1232
Email : don@marinehardware.com
Click to expand...

Impressive job, bigd. I note your comment that the strut cost $635 and took 6 weeks to cast.

One more link - note that there are "sailboat struts" and "adjustable struts" (among other designs that may or may not be relevant):
https://www.deepblueyachtsupply.com/marine-struts
 
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garryh

Member III
Adam, if there is any good news here it is that the shaft upgrade has been done. From reviews of the 35-2 and other forum discussions, I understand these boats were produced with a 3/4" shaft. Mine is a '78. Following the logic, your strut may be a lot newer than many that are still fine after 40 years so wondering what has happened. It is possible that the replacement strut was made of an inferior metal and has wasted away; out of interest, maybe ask the new supplier what metal type.
The other possibility is that there is or has been a significant stray current situation on or near your boat. Something to check out so the same thing does not happen to your new strut. And also correct choice and placement of anodes which should be zinc. Good luck with this... garry
 
toddster

toddster

Curator of Broken Parts
Blogs Author
I have one of those adjustable struts (or something similar) that appears to be bolted on to the outside of the boat, rather than embedded. (The bolts come up through the hull behind the battery compartment.) Everyone who looks at it says it is a disaster waiting to happen, but it has been in place for quite a few years with no known problems. (I suppose I should remove and inspect those bolts...)
 
toddster

toddster

Curator of Broken Parts
Blogs Author
Mine actually looks like this. Hmm... what does hold that on? Oh well... out of sight, out of mind...
I gave it a good shake when I was swimming under there last summer and everything seemed solid.

general prop.jpg
It must be all thread studs tapped into those holes from the back side.
BTW, a lot of work was done after this picture was taken. Including replacement of that shaft and prop. The hull did have kind of a a shabbily patriotic look to it at that point in the sanding.
 
adam

adam

Member III
toddster said:
Mine actually looks like this. Hmm... what does hold that on? Oh well... out of sight, out of mind...
I gave it a good shake when I was swimming under there last summer and everything seemed solid.

View attachment 23532
It must be all thread studs tapped into those holes from the back side.
BTW, a lot of work was done after this picture was taken. Including replacement of that shaft and prop. The hull did have kind of a a shabbily patriotic look to it at that point in the sanding.
Click to expand...

Whoa toddster. That looks crazy.

As for the overall mount, mine was mounted the same way. There were some bolts from the top of the hull that held the strut on. For some unknown reason, these bolts were glassed over.

But... there was a bunch of filler (epoxy?) that covered up the plate portion of the strut and presumably also helped waterproof it.
 
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