In the water after almost 3 years!

[bigd14]

After 1030 days in the yard, lots of dust, many $$ and a ton of learning we finally reached the end of the line this weekend!

Thanks to all you forum members for your advice and support. Now I will need even more to get her operating properly

Heading out of the yard yesterday (I'll miss this place!)

Walking the mast over to the TraveLift

Through the trees

Off the trailer for the first time in almost three years

Almost there!

Back where she belongs

We spent the rest of yesterday afternoon stepping the mast, motoring over to the marina and rigging the jib. Left the camera behind by accident. Only one minor accident along the way, no harm no foul! The Yamaha 9.9 Hi Thrust pushed her at 5.8-6 knots at about 1/3-1/2 throttle.



Today we spent most of the day rigging up the boat. Jury rigged some mainsail controls and took her out! She handles like a dream.

Hey where did that bungie come from!

The only downside to the day is the realization that I really messed up the waterline. It's especially noticeable on the port side since she leans a little to the port at dock. Wonder why. Not much I can do about it except load up the starboard side and try to even her out a bit. When I haul for bottom paint in a few years I will raise the waterline a bit.

Despite the waterline issue, I am extremely happy with the overall project. Still a lot of tweaking to do, but thats just the fun stuff. See you on the water!

Doug

 

[Loren Beach]

Wow!

Very Nice!
Looks like summer (finally...) arrived in time for you to launch and enjoy that boat.

Cheers,
Loren

 

[Mark F]

Hi Doug,

She looks great! I've enjoyed watching your progress over the years.

Regarding the waterline, do you have a water tank under the v-berth? If so is it empty? Is the fuel tank (port side) full?

Congratulations!

 

[PDX]

Congratulations, Doug. I know its the culmination of a lot of hard work (and thought). You should be very proud.

 

[mherrcat]

Did you document the replacement of your chainplates? I searched and did not find a thread related to it. Just curious how you did it and if you happen to have pictures of the process.

 

[Bill Sanborn]

Lean to port

Congratulations on your project!!!

FWIW my E29 has always leaned slightly to port. I can also sail slightly faster on port tack. Have never figured out reason for port lean, possibly the galley and hanging locker both on port side??

Would be interesting if other Ericsons lean to port.

 

[bigd14]

Thanks guys- I have a 15 gallon tank in the V-berth and it was full when the pics were taken. I only have a little above-board fuel tank for now. I guess there is more built-in stuff on the port side. I will try putting all the heavy stuff on the starboard side. I also have to check to make sure that the mast is centered correctly, although when I eyeballed it yesterday it looked pretty good. That could easily throw it off a little.

Mherrcat, I documented the entire project, including C/P replacement at www.plasticclassicforum.com under Projects: Ericson 27 Project. Somewhere in there! If you have specific questions, let me know, I'll be happy to answer them. Basically I cut the old ones off, glassed a big backing plate behind the existing C/P location and drilled some holes through the old chainplate strap thats still glassed into the hull. Then bolted it all together. I believe that they will still be standing when the boat has rotted to dust!

Doug

 

[Sven]

Beautiful !

She's a lucky little ship.



-Sven

 

[Wysailer]

Nice!

Nice job on the refit! Gives us all something to aspire to when ours are still in progress.
When I see what others have done it gets me motivated to continue the work to be ready.

Scott
E 25 cb
Wysailer