Looking at a 30+

[buchhla]

Hi all, I am going to be looking at a 30+ that a friend of a friend is selling and I am looking for comments on the boat itself and things I should look for when I get on the boat. Also, what price ranges are usual for these in good condition? This (or whatever) will be my first boat, and I am primarily looking to go cruising in the pacfic NW and possible mexico/hawaii later on as my skills improve. I only need crusing room for 2, so I am thinking that the 30+ should have enough room for that. I have been racing for a few years for am looking to race on other poeples boats, except for the occasional beer regatta here and there.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Seth]

30+

This is one of the better all-around designs of the size and genre. Performance is above average-especially upwind. It is somewhat tender (read "powerful") so you will want to get sail area down earlier than some.

Very sensitive to weight in the ends-so keep this in mind when planning a long trip.

The weakest point will be reaching in big breeze-the transom is quite narrow so form stability suffers a bit here, but is offset by the low wetted surface in lighter airs.

No major structural issues, but you may have to tweak the deck layout to get the right controls led aft (where applicable). Suugested sail inventory for your type of use will be:

1). Mainsail w/ 2 reefs (2nd reef quite deep)
2). 135% Furling genoa with foam luff insert, and UV cover
3). Assymetrical cruising spinnaker-.75 oz. with ATN snuffer
5). Storm jib (consider Gale Sail)

Anything else will yield only marginal improvements, add weight, and will take up valuable storage space. Properly utilized, this will give you 95% efficiency over 95% of conditions.

Good luck- you will like the boat!
Fair winds,
S

 

[buchhla]

Thanks much, hopefully I can take a look at the boat after the race I am doing this weekend. Is the hull on the 30+ similar in design to any of the other '80s ericssons? I don't see a whole lot of info on the 30 persay, but lots more on the some of the other slightly larger models.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Seth]

30+ history

The 30+ was developed from the old Ericson 30 (masthead rig with outboard rudder) mold. It was modified to fractional and inboard rudder, and then structurally to accept the TAFG (structural grid pan). That is the pedigree. The 28+ (later the 28) was derived from the 30+ mold-the back 2 feet were chopped off, and adjustments made in the rig to account for the change in length and weight-but is a very silimar boat. The other boat somewhat similar is the 25+/new 26-different, but very similar approach proportionally and appearance-wise. The 32, 34, 35 III, and 38's (NOT the 70's boats) are all of a new and different design genre, but still King boats. The 33H and 36H are of course Ron Holland designs. There was also an Olson/Ericson 34 and 30-these are Schumacher designs. Guys-what have I missed?

There will be a test later,
S

 

[Ken Haneline]

30+

I have a 1980 30+ which we like very much. The boat has spent its life on Lake Erie. At purchase, I had the bow deck rebuilt because of some softness (rot) under the pulpit hardware. I also had the bottom stripped because of some minor blistering. Nothing major on the blistering, but enought that I didn't want it to get out of hand. Seth is correct about reefing early and often. The boat tends to round up easily on a good blow. The auxilary 18 hp diesel Yanmar is probably a bit under-powered for the weight of the boat, but it can generally push the boat at 4-5 knots, without waves or head wind. I have some leaky port windows that I hope to clean up this year. Otherwise, it is a great boat to have fun on. Ken

 

[Martin King]

all of a new and different design genre, but still King boats. The 33H and 36H are of course Ron Holland designs. There was also an Olson/Ericson 34 and 30-these are Schumacher designs. Guys-what have I missed?


You missed the 35 mk1, designed by Alberg.

 

[Seth]

D'oooh!

Of course-thanks Martin! Since we are going that far back, there also the old 26 (Hess?), and the very old 30 (also Alberg?)

 

[rssailor]

E-30+

Seth gave some great info on sails and boat history. I have a good friend who has an Ericson 30+ and it is a great boat. Yes the boats are tender, and need to be reefed early. Very solidly built boat, but underpowered in the engine department. If you buy the boat, look into a max prop or similar to maximize motoring potential. Also the hot water heater and fuel tanks are mounted under the cockpit and getting at them for replacement is a real bear. Also look for blisters, my friends boat has em, but not real bad. Good luck Ryan Ericson 25+

 

[Martin King]

there also the old 26 (Hess?),

Nope. That was a Crealock. I think that about covers it.

 

[Loren Beach]

The Olson footnote to the Ericson chronicles...

Some minor Olson trivia (as best I know, and subject to correction by you experts...)

When Ericson bought up the tooling for the Olson 25, 911S, and 34, they produced them for a couple of years until they went under.
Unlike the 25 and 30 (911S) the 34 was almost all an Ericson effort, as only one production model was finished before Pacific Boats went under. Also, the design of the 25 and 911S are honest Schumacher designs.... unlike the O-34, which was apparently scaled up from the 911S with more than a nod to the Schumacher Express 34. I am always flattered that everyone looks at my Olson 34 and credits the design to Carl S.
I never met Carl, and exchanged only a couple of emails with him, a decade ago. Everyone (!) tells me that he was a really nice guy to know and work with.

Having been inside an older 911S and a 25, I believe that they were finished to a higher standard than the same boats produced later by Ericson -- which might have contributed to the demise of Pacific Boats, for all that I know... after all, the more labor you put in, the more you have to charge...

I am just pleased to have an Olson with a solid-layup hull, constructed to the scantlings specified by the designers, and with Ericson quality and materials. Whenever I spend time aboard any of the low-end production boats I can see and feel the differences immediately!


Loren in PDX

 

[Seth]

history lesson

Thanks Martin and Loren-I think this concludes our E-history lesson! Carl Schumacher was a GREAT guy, and a very important designer for our time. The Olson and Express boats are almost legendary for their peformance and longevity-I sailed a Big Boat Series with Carl on the Wall Street Duck, a custom 38 footer that was WAY ahead of its' time. Carl was a quiet, gentle guy-honest to a fault, and one of best guys you would ever want to go to sea with. We lost a good one when he passed.

S

 

[Martin King]

I'll just add that I had an opportunity to sail with gentleman
Bill Crealock aboard one of his boats-a good designer and a nice
guy.