Mast height for E-32

[InSync]

Tall rig on E-32...definitely need smaller headsail

First of all, thanks to everyone to replied to queries on this thread. Your comments have been very valuable. I have not replied back until this point as we have been out sailing the boat and figuring her out.
Seth, you were bang on the money! We purchased a new main (BIG improvement from the tired dishrag of a Catalina 32 main that was on the boat when we bought it last year) and yup, the boat settles into a nice groove at 10 knots and goes like stink no matter what the point of sail. BUT over 10 knots, or in 10 knots with gusts she quickly becomes overpowered and tries to round up under full sail. And in our sailing area (Pacific Northwest) you get plenty of gusts and puffs as the winds funnel around the islands and over the mountains. You have no choice but to travel down and ease to dump wind or head her up until the gust passes. No snoozing at the helm!
Seth, the measurements for the new North main were as follows: P 37.50 E 13.33 I 42.00 ISP 42.00 J 13.75 SPL 13.75 . You were right in that the boom on this custom rig was lengthened as well. The overall measurement is 14 feet. The headsail that is on the boat right now is in good shape but is really too big to cruise comfortably and I don't plan on racing this boat. I save the wear and tear of racing for OPB's (other people's boats). We also have a cruising chute from a friend's Catalina 32 that we plan on using on this boat. Given the mainsail measurements above, do you still recommend a 110% headsail?

 

[InSync]

Tall rig and compression post

BTW, thanks for the comments re compression post issue. Thankfully, we were aware of this failing on the Ericsons and had our eyes open. Although the center post (that also holds the hinge for the head door) has not been "sistered" it does appear to be of much heavier stock than the post adjacent. Also, stainless steel plates have been slipped under both the bottom and top of the post. there were some small cracks in the fibreglass headliner and we marked both ends of those cracks with a pencil when we bought the boat. So far they have not moved. There is a spot on the headliner that follows the support beam that is slightly off colour, as though it was repaired and repainted but the colour match was not quite right. We think that repairs were done in this area in the past. The deck on the cabin top appears sound. No mushiness, no sunken spots. Regardless, we will probably add an extra supporting post in the near future. Call it insurance!

 

[Seth]

Smaller headsails

I don't know what the size of your genoa is now (LP based you actual dimensions), but a 110% would be close to a 130 on a std rig, so a 110 would be a good all around sail for cruising, but you might find it is still a bit much in breezy conditions.

Ideally you may want to have a 110% for general purpose and an 80-90% sail for windy days, and reef as needed in between...

Good sailing!

 

[Phil Grow]

This is all very interesting. Nevertheless, I have a 1990 Ericson 32-3, #763, only three more were built after it, although I read here was one hull (767) on the factory floor at auction time. I understand it was purchased and finished off by one of the employees.

I had a "bridge incident" this summer and need to know the actual height of my mast from the keel plate to the top of the cap so I can spec out a replacement. I can't seem find this number anywhere. I now have three pieces, somewhat mangled, which I have measured to 47 feet and maybe an additional 2 to 4 inches, so there is a bit of guess work involved. My boat came with very nice documentation by Ericson of the standing rigging specifications from hull #761 forward, so it looks like they made running changes along the way but I doubt the mast changed. If anyone knows the actually measurement of the mast of a 32-3 on the ground I would really appreciate it.

Thank you
Phil Grow
"Tuuli"

 

[bgary]

I think this thread is particularly centered around the mast height of the 1970s Ericson 32 ("32-2")

Loren just kindly created a new thread, let's put 32-3 info there....

 

[Seth]

This is all very interesting. Nevertheless, I have a 1990 Ericson 32-3, #763, only three more were built after it, although I read here was one hull (767) on the factory floor at auction time. I understand it was purchased and finished off by one of the employees.

I had a "bridge incident" this summer and need to know the actual height of my mast from the keel plate to the top of the cap so I can spec out a replacement. I can't seem find this number anywhere. I now have three pieces, somewhat mangled, which I have measured to 47 feet and maybe an additional 2 to 4 inches, so there is a bit of guess work involved. My boat came with very nice documentation by Ericson of the standing rigging specifications from hull #761 forward, so it looks like they made running changes along the way but I doubt the mast changed. If anyone knows the actually measurement of the mast of a 32-3 on the ground I would really appreciate it.

Thank you
Phil Grow
"Tuuli"

Contact Ballenger Spars. They should have all the specs for your rig and they do fantastic work at fair prices. The total length is one thing but a mast builder needs to know the specs (wall thickness and other things). Don't fool around with any company not very familiar with rigs for these boats, or "kit" spars. Here is the link: https://www.ballengerspars.com/
Good luck