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Ericson / Olson 911 SE - TAFG?
- Thread starter aliissari
- Start date
I believe that the grid molding in the 911s is similar to the structure in our 34.
Some pix here and also a further link: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/the-olson-34-partial-tafg-revealed.967/
Hopefully some other owners can chime in.
Note that the TAFG was more extensive in the 80's Ericson's, but the key parts that carry the rig and engine loadings are very similar. Also, when I had all the shroud fixtures out for epoxying the deck piercings I found that the layup was substantially heavier across those parts of the boat.
Is there an on-line link for your proposed purchase, that we might admire?
Some pix here and also a further link: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/ubs/the-olson-34-partial-tafg-revealed.967/
Hopefully some other owners can chime in.
Note that the TAFG was more extensive in the 80's Ericson's, but the key parts that carry the rig and engine loadings are very similar. Also, when I had all the shroud fixtures out for epoxying the deck piercings I found that the layup was substantially heavier across those parts of the boat.
Is there an on-line link for your proposed purchase, that we might admire?
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Thanks for that, and a couple people responded on the fb group page saying it did not have one. It's this one, and the reason I'm asking is because I'd like to sail it from Florida around the Caribbean for a season.
AK67
Member III
Seems a bit expensive for the boat. Same boat listed here for $15.5. https://sailinganarchy.com/advert/olson-911-se/
AK67
Member III
Brochure makes no mention of the Tri-Axial Force Grid, so I'd assume it does not have it https://www.teamdistraction.com/the boat/the boat images/Olson 911SE brochure.PDF
AK67
Member III
Best of luck and hope it works out for you!
Slick470
Sustaining Member
Ali, I also responded in the facebook group, but what the Olson 911 (and O34) have for structure doesn't match pictures that I've seen of the TAFG in the Ericson built boats. From what I've read, Ericson re-engineered the structure in the Olson 911 (and again assume the O34) to convert the boat from cored hull to solid glass. There are quite a few athwartship ribs that are glassed to the hull that are in turn bonded to the liner just like the pictures that Loren posted. I wouldn't quite call it a grid, but it looks robust. The Olson boats have very shallow bilges which does limit how much they can do while maintaining the headroom.
As far as your plans, I don't see why the boat wouldn't be suitable for that task if everything checks out. I'd do the normal due diligence items, hull and rig survey, replace anything that is older, etc. The newest of these boats is now 35 years old so expect some older boat things. If you are worried about the keel, have it checked out by a shipwright and if there are concerns have it dropped, inspected and re-bedded. We had a shipwright inspect ours and he replaced the nuts and washers (with larger ones) and re-torqued everything. He didn't recommend dropping the keel that time.
The boat in the ad looks nice and the I think the current owner posts on the Facebook group. I'd be a bit grumpy with the listing agent since the boat was designed by Carl Schumacher and not George Olson, but that would also be a great pedigree, so maybe only a tiny bit grumpy.
They are pretty great boats, but I'm biased. Good luck.
As far as your plans, I don't see why the boat wouldn't be suitable for that task if everything checks out. I'd do the normal due diligence items, hull and rig survey, replace anything that is older, etc. The newest of these boats is now 35 years old so expect some older boat things. If you are worried about the keel, have it checked out by a shipwright and if there are concerns have it dropped, inspected and re-bedded. We had a shipwright inspect ours and he replaced the nuts and washers (with larger ones) and re-torqued everything. He didn't recommend dropping the keel that time.
The boat in the ad looks nice and the I think the current owner posts on the Facebook group. I'd be a bit grumpy with the listing agent since the boat was designed by Carl Schumacher and not George Olson, but that would also be a great pedigree, so maybe only a tiny bit grumpy.
They are pretty great boats, but I'm biased. Good luck.
As pointed out, this part of the ad is nonsense: "This meticulously maintained 1988 Olson 911SE, designed by the legendary George Olson,"
Like the Express 34 and 37 (great designs, IMHO) the Olson 911s is a Schumacher design. George Olson did design the 34, and it looks like he was greatly "inspired" by the 911s design. I know that Schumacher was a bit miffed, from one email exchange with him after we acquired our 34.
One other niggle, the "TAFG" was kind of (?) a trademarked acronym at the time, and as such described an internal framing grid that went from one end to the other. Our Olson has an internal set of major frp sections that are 100% glassed to the hull and deck, as are all of the bulkheads. (!) The shipwright that did our re-fit was very complimentary of the engineering and build.
When we are "powered up" like we were last night in 18 knots, there was no creaking, groaning, or movement of any part of the boat... that's not true of some less-expensive boats I have crewed on over the years.
Opinions, especially mine, are all kinda subjective. But IF.... that 911s is really well maintained, the price appears very reasonable to me. Of course it's not my money at stake, either...
Edit: I would really be Really considering it, at the price shown in SA !!
All the best,
Loren
Like the Express 34 and 37 (great designs, IMHO) the Olson 911s is a Schumacher design. George Olson did design the 34, and it looks like he was greatly "inspired" by the 911s design.
I know that Schumacher was a bit miffed, from one email exchange with him after we acquired our 34.One other niggle, the "TAFG" was kind of (?) a trademarked acronym at the time, and as such described an internal framing grid that went from one end to the other. Our Olson has an internal set of major frp sections that are 100% glassed to the hull and deck, as are all of the bulkheads. (!) The shipwright that did our re-fit was very complimentary of the engineering and build.
When we are "powered up" like we were last night in 18 knots, there was no creaking, groaning, or movement of any part of the boat... that's not true of some less-expensive boats I have crewed on over the years.
Opinions, especially mine, are all kinda subjective. But IF.... that 911s is really well maintained, the price appears very reasonable to me. Of course it's not my money at stake, either...
Edit: I would really be Really considering it, at the price shown in SA !!
All the best,
Loren
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Thank you! Yes, it seems like a great deal.
Has anyone ever cut down their boom? The original boom on this 911 broke and a previous owner replaced it with a longer one, but the current owner had the new sails cut to the original spec. So, I’m wondering if I can have the boom cut down to the correct length.
Also, is it peculiar that this 911 doesn’t have a cove stripe?
Has anyone ever cut down their boom? The original boom on this 911 broke and a previous owner replaced it with a longer one, but the current owner had the new sails cut to the original spec. So, I’m wondering if I can have the boom cut down to the correct length.
Also, is it peculiar that this 911 doesn’t have a cove stripe?
Slick470
Sustaining Member
I don't see why you couldn't take the boom end off, cut the boom to spec length and put the end back on. You'll need to do a bit of minor re-reeving internal lines, but that isn't too hard. Good opportunity to make sure they aren't twisted or upgrade the outhaul purchase if it hasn't been done.
The cove stripe is vinyl from the factory, so likely it was dinged up over the years and a PO just took the rest of it off. Putting a new one on isn't too hard if you want to get it back, I replaced ours earlier this year during our last haul-out. I debated taking it off, but decided the 911 has so much freeboard, that the stripe helps break it up some. The boot stripe is typically molded in gelcoat, but with that one being striped, maybe it is vinyl on that boat.
The cove stripe is vinyl from the factory, so likely it was dinged up over the years and a PO just took the rest of it off. Putting a new one on isn't too hard if you want to get it back, I replaced ours earlier this year during our last haul-out. I debated taking it off, but decided the 911 has so much freeboard, that the stripe helps break it up some. The boot stripe is typically molded in gelcoat, but with that one being striped, maybe it is vinyl on that boat.
Agree. Our '88 boat had a gel coat blue WL stripe, but the cove stripe was vinyl, and I replaced it once.
Finally, both stripes are now Awlgrip, as part of the 2021 re-fit of the hull/deck.