Ericson 350? 1997?

[Prairie Schooner]

An Ericson 350 is not a model I've heard of. It looks kind of like an E34-2. The ad says it was built by Pacific Seacraft in 1997. It's interesting that it ended up over in England. The original photo file titles included just ericson 34, not 350.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1997-ericson-350-9264143/

I'm a neophyte on Ericson history. Do you think the seller has mis-named this or was E350 a legit model at some point? Is it possible this was the last one made?

It's interesting to see the inclusion of white interior surface but with so much teak still in place.

". . . ready for the season with engine serviced, sails valeted and hull polished and anti-fouled . . ." Gotta love the way the Brits phrase things. We'll definitely have to get our sails valeted some day.

Below are some pictures from the ad, for posterity. All appropriate credit to the originators.

 

[Loren Beach]

I'll hazard a guess.
When PSC acquired the tooling for the Ericson 38-200, 34-2, and 32-200, they slightly renamed them and also changed the trim and finishes inside. They also regularly installed engines from their long-term supplier Volvo. Nice to see that the original purchaser did specify a Yanmar, which many buyers would prefer nowadays.
I sorta recall that the 34-2 was indeed renamed the 350 model. Given that the hull LOA was always closer to 35', it's not surprising that they did that.

Nice-appearing specimen, gotta say.
(Except for PSC dropping the signature Ericson trapezoidal fixed ports. Terrible marketing decision IMHO.)

 

[Prairie Schooner]

. . . .
Nice-appearing specimen, gotta say.
(Except for PSC dropping the signature Ericson trapezoidal fixed ports. Terrible marketing decision IMHO.)

This analogy occurs to me. - A family with a distinctive and prominent, though ultimately handsome, nose has a member in a later generation who undergoes rhinoplasty resulting in something entirely ordinary. They still look like family, but . . not quite.

 

[AdventurousAnton]

That ad popped in in my YachtWorld feed (I think?) because I just came across it as well. I noticed the lack of TZ portlights but saw the TZ keel and thought, "What an interesting little yacht. I 100% agree about the change in windows...ours are so distinctive. Still, I think that is damned nice Ericson/PSC yacht.

PS: If I had "Vivacious," the first thing I'd do is paint the mast black!

 

[Drewm3i]

1991+ PSC-built Ericson 34-2, updated and improved by PSC with better hardware and more "offshore" design= Ericson 350

Just like the Ericson 380.

 

[Loren Beach]

updated and improved by PSC with better hardware and more "offshore" design

Someone formerly with PSC may have stated that in a burst of promotional enthusiasm, but the Bruce King design did not change. By doing a re-fit, I have been pretty darned deep into the EY construction techniques in the late 80's, and the hardware was of offshore quality. The layup and engineering was certainly intended for use "offshore" albeit with the qualifier that the word itself is subjective and is commonly used by marketers to sell a broad swath of vessels.

AFAIK, the E-38-200, has its bulkheads tabbed all the way around just like they are on our model. Going back to the 70's, EY was glassing their hulls to the decks with roving inside; a very strong technique that was and is not common in the industry. Given that PSC bought the molds, designs, and patterns to continue production on a semi custom basis, I would surmise that they also used the same construction methods. I sure hope so.

 

[Drewm3i]

Someone formerly with PSC may have stated that in a burst of promotional enthusiasm, but the Bruce King design did not change. By doing a re-fit, I have been pretty darned deep into the EY construction techniques in the late 80's, and the hardware was of offshore quality. The layup and engineering was certainly intended for use "offshore" albeit with the qualifier that the word itself is subjective and is commonly used by marketers to sell a broad swath of vessels.

AFAIK, the E-38-200, has its bulkheads tabbed all the way around just like they are on our model. Going back to the 70's, EY was glassing their hulls to the decks with roving inside; a very strong technique that was and is not common in the industry. Given that PSC bought the molds, designs, and patterns to continue production on a semi custom basis, I would surmise that they also used the same construction methods. I sure hope so.

Yes, you are absolutely correct with a few exceptions:

1. PSC used bronze thru-hulls and seacocks with no PVC below the waterline.
2. PSC replaced the large glass port lights, hatches, and opening port lights with bronze/stainless alternatives that are bit heavier duty.
3. PSC replaced exterior teak with stainless steel rails.
4. PSC replaced some aluminum hardware with SS.
5. And other small things of things of this nature with fittings and equipment. It is an ever-so-slightly "better" boat at a worse value.

Further, they did brighten and modernize the interiors--employing white bulkheads and sideliners, instead of varnished teak veneer plywood. They also added Corian countertops and polished SS sinks. They also only used Propane. On the E-380, they offered a classy molded swim step.

So basically, it is a slightly "better"--as in more modern--Ericson from the factory at twice the price.

I would buy one, but not at a big premium.

 

[Loren Beach]

I would buy one, but not at a big premium.

Understood. About a decade ago we looked at a neglected E-34-2 (PSC built --and I forget their model name) and the electrical panel was noticeably nicer than the EY 80's versions and the wiring was a Much tidier.
But.... it had the PSC-common Volvo diesel with leaking salt water right where owners of that engine model were complaining about on the 'net. It needed to be replaced with a new Betamarine, and the broker refused to even convey our cash offer to the owner. (Whole boat was badly neglected in noticeable other ways, too.) Kind of a pity, since we would have restored it much the same as we ended up doing with our Olson.
As for the PSC 38 model, they changed the stern part of the tooling after the first year or two. Handy at times to have that step, but it reduced access to the inside of the compartment - to steering systems and to other parts installed there.
All "hair in the scuppers" nowadays, as another EY member used to say here....

 

[Christian Williams]

No 80s Ericson has PVC below the waterline. My thruhulls are Marelon, just as good as bronze. My portlights are heavy aluminum and in excellent shape after 40 years. I don't like stainless handrails, teak was the Ericson brand. Mine are original, and still lovely.

Perhaps PSC, who specialized in slow overbuilt boats, did not succeed in making Ericson in their image. The stepped stern is pure marketing, nobody boards these boats at the transom unless employed by Cirque du Soleil.

 

[Drewm3i]

No 80s Ericson has PVC below the waterline.

I misspoke: not for thru-hulls, but for the 90 degree elbow fittings used to plumb hoses.

The matter of thru-hulls is of great importance to me as my E-38-200, SV Walden, is sadly at the bottom of the Atlantic after Richard's ordeal, where he had to be airlifted by the Coast Guard...it wasn't the rig, rudder, keel or rudder, but was presumably one of the thru-hulls. I personally thought it was probably the paddlewheel transducer (plastic and made by B&G).

Perhaps PSC, who specialized in slow overbuilt boats, did not succeed in making Ericson in their image. The stepped stern is pure marketing, nobody boards these boats at the transom unless employed by Cirque du Soleil.

This is funny and true.

You're also probably right re: the transom.

 

[Alan Gomes]

No 80s Ericson has PVC below the waterline.

Mine did.

 

[Marlin Prowell]

No 80s Ericson has PVC below the waterline.

Yep, mine too. Screwed into a Marelon thru-hull.

 

[Pete the Cat]

Mine did.

I have posted this before: My Marlon through hull valves had some black PVC fittings in the end if them (90 degree elbows and a couple nipples). I am guess this was done at the factory. I really do not like this as mine were so deteriorated that they crumbled in hundreds of pieces when I tried to take them apart. I am guessing the PVC they used was inferior or this is a characteristic of PVC. I did manage to find actual Marlon fittings to replace them, but it was at an marine industrial supply house, not sure if you could get them at West Marine or a normal chandlery.

 

[Alan Gomes]

I have posted this before: My Marlon through hull valves had some black PVC fittings in the end if them (90 degree elbows and a couple nipples). I am guess this was done at the factory. I really do not like this as mine were so deteriorated that they crumbled in hundreds of pieces when I tried to take them apart. I am guessing the PVC they used was inferior or this is a characteristic of PVC. I did manage to find actual Marlon fittings to replace them, but it was at an marine industrial supply house, not sure if you could get them at West Marine or a normal chandlery.

My head intake had PVC plumbing bits connected to a plastic (not Marlon) through hull.

Here's the relevant portion from the survey report done by Jim Wallace, a highly regarded surveyor in our area:

FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:

A) Violations of structure, seaworthiness, or watertight integrity:

1) The small plastic through hull for the head raw water intake

will not withstand the required sheer test. Replace with

bronze or Maralon at the time of the next routine haulout.

2) Replace the PVC elbows at the through hull fittings for the

head intake and discharge with proper bronze or Maralon.

****

BoatUS Insurance only insured the boat provisionally, with the understanding that I'd take care of this issue within 6 months (if I recall correctly). Needless to say, I replaced that nonsense very soon after acquiring the boat, well before their deadline.

 

[Christian Williams]

I am corrected. And it turns out that there was a PVC elbow on my boat, identified by the surveyor. Under "Violations of Structure, seaworthiness or watertight integrity: A, 1: Replace the PVC elbow between the stop valve at the through hull for the head discharge with proper Maralon."

I don't know if it was original, since the P.O. renewed the head plumbing. Definitely below the waterline, though

(posted simultaneously )

 

[Loren Beach]

FWIW, our '88 boat came with "RC Marine" thru hulls and valves. Tail pieces were RC Marine also. This was the company that Forespar bought and continued the plumbing products unchanged in design, until Forespar redesigned the valves in the mid 90's. I did then change out all of ours for the new "Model 93" seacocks. Those were epoxied to the hull/backing plate. They are as strong as the FRP hull itself.
--- just a data point to consider...

 

[Captain Pete]

Darn, I just checked my boat and lo and behold I have white PVC 90 degree connectors outboard of the marelon seacocks under my head sink.

I also note in an earlier pic when I first got the boat there are grey connectors on the cockpit drain and maybe the sink drain, but they are less worrisome as they are inboard of the marelon seacock.

Also worrisome are the plastic thru hulls (not sure what material or make). Altough the setup has worked for nearly 38 years (and as someone who comes from the if it aint broke dont fix it school of thought, at least above the waterline) I will have to assess if these hull penetrating connections are living on borrowed time.

(Note: in that under galley sink pic the sea strainer is a dead soldier, one of the first things I replaced. I have had a prior history on a 1989 Pearson 39 I had for many years where one of the bolts holding the top on gave way (mostly in part due to my exuberant tightening after cleaning out the strainer). Were it not for an observant harbor master she would have gone down. Fortunately she suffered only 8" of water above the floor boards and no major damage. The insurance appraiser told me I would not have been covered anyway as that sheered bolt would have been considered a routine maintenance item. After tossing much of the hardly ever used gear that got wet and really cleaning the bilge the boat seemed to sail faster.)

 

[Kenneth K]

Yeah, my experience is that Ericson did use some PVC below the waterline. As Capt Pete said, PVC upstream of the ball valve is a bigger crime than PVC after the ball valve.

I also had PVC elbows screwed directly onto the thru-hulls of my (barely) above-the-water line cockpit drains.

On one side I was able to re-configure it by screwing the Marelon valve directly to the thru-hull and adding a nylon elbow on top:
-------->

On the other side, I replaced the PVC elbow with a bronze one:
----->

Mixing Marelon and bronze is still "wrong" on two counts: thread mismatch (NPS vs NPT), and materials mismatch. Since you can't fully tighten a plastic-on-bronze connection, the seal relies on an adequate sealant between the two, and on immobilizing the joint so it can't self-loosen.

Note, Ericson typically mixed bronze and plastic (reinforced plastic) on the exhaust thru-hull fitting.

 

[Loren Beach]

Link to the current iteration of the Forespar thuhulls that we have. Note that the tailpiece can exit at a chosen 90 degree angle. That feature solve a lot of tight-install problems.

OEM - Pro Series Seacocks

The Smart Valve provides the safety and assurance of a visual display panel showing which seacock is open or closed-without having to go below and pull up floorboards to make a visual inspection. Sensors, factory installed, on any single port, Marelon Integrated Plumbing System flange mounted...

www.forespar.com

Bronze ones are an equally fine choice, but I am nervous about the possibility of stray current corrosion in them.
I prefer compost seacocks.

 

[Drewm3i]

Yeah, my experience is that Ericson did use some PVC below the waterline. As Capt Pete said, PVC upstream of the ball valve is a bigger crime than PVC after the ball valve.

I also had PVC elbows screwed directly onto the thru-hulls of my (barely) above-the-water line cockpit drains.

On one side I was able to re-configure it by screwing the Marelon valve directly to the thru-hull and adding a nylon elbow on top:
View attachment 51767 --------> View attachment 51768

On the other side, I replaced the PVC elbow with a bronze one:
View attachment 51769 -----> View attachment 51770

Mixing Marelon and bronze is still "wrong" on two counts: thread mismatch (NPS vs NPT), and materials mismatch. Since you can't fully tighten a plastic-on-bronze connection, the seal relies on an adequate sealant between the two, and on immobilizing the joint so it can't self-loosen.

Note, Ericson typically mixed bronze and plastic (reinforced plastic) on the exhaust thru-hull fitting.
View attachment 51771

I would recommend fixing this personally. I think Loren's solution of all Marelon is probably best.