Olson 34 called "Valhalla II" in San Pedro?

[Christian Williams]

All new cushions and upholstery, all new sails, engine doubts would give me grave pause.

But I did it all (my engine was fine), and would do it again. It makes the boat yours. And the number of suitable boats for sale is always limited.

Still, I would really really need to love the boat and not be able to find anything else that worked for me.

It helps to be retired. All that work and a job don't mix, unless the job will pay for the restoration.

 

[G Kiba]

Seems to me that the cost of bringing a boat back to life has risen so fast. Not to sound too morbid, but I believe the rate of aging out of sailing seems to be not to far behind it (myself included in single digit years if I'm lucky). I belong to a fairly large YC in the SF Bay Area where I have seen some really well maintained (some renowned) boats go for sale or are donated to the club for sale. If I was younger and looking, I would periodically ask around and look at what's available at yacht clubs. The boats may cost a little more but will still be a savings in the long run.

 

[Loren Beach]

Seems to me that the cost of bringing a boat back to life has risen so fast. Not to sound too morbid, but I believe the rate of aging out of sailing seems to be not to far behind it (myself included in single digit years if I'm lucky)

Probably material for starting a new thread... but I have to admit that putting approx 100K into our boat in 2021, after doing the new drive train in 2018 for 15K, seems very reasonable compared to a new equivalent boat for 300K +.

BUT.... we had been putting in labor in bringing it back to good condition, along with still sailing it and cruising it every summer, since 1994. As Sean has said here, it's a very satisfying lifestyle, but requires focus and time.
Having seen others spending a lot more time and money on restoring (and flying!) much older light aircraft, our particular form of "fun" seems quite reasonable. But then, we would say that!

As for aging out, ah yup. We likely have less than a decade (?) of active boating left. (sigh)

 

[boatgeek]

Thanks Loren and all for your thoughts.

 

[boatgeek]

Hi folks, I'm still hemming and hawing on the O34. Survey looks pretty good. (Though I gather the surveyor spent a lot of time in Santa Cruz and knew George Olson, so he may be a bit biased.) Superficial blisters and a corroded mast base, and the need for a new prop are the only major items of note, now that then engine exhaust has been fixed. Any opinions or knowledge on a 'special' racing keel that was apparently added at some point? The other potential owner suggested that this was a nice feature, but if Olson had wanted that keel, why wouldn't he have done it that way in the first place? Means that the ballast, draft, center of lateral resistance, etc are not necessarily as designed. Any thoughts? Also, separately, can anyone advise on the size and pitch I would want for Martec or similar prop with this engine on this boat? I have looked through the forums but haven't found a clear answer. thanks very much! -Matt B

 

[Prairie Schooner]

@boatgeek
Can you elaborate on the corroded mast base issue? Is it the fiberglass structure? The plate? Surface corrosion or crumbling of the aluminum? (I wonder if there was a coin in there)

 

[boatgeek]

Pic attached. The surveyor recommended just cutting off 3/8 of an inch off the bottom, since he was under the impression that the mast was going to be taken down to ship the boat north. I don't think it is an imminent structural concern. thx

 

[boatgeek]

Here's another showing the keel. Looks pretty thin.

 

[Loren Beach]

Any opinions or knowledge on a 'special' racing keel that was apparently added at some point? The other potential owner suggested that this was a nice feature, but if Olson had wanted that keel, why wouldn't he have done it that way in the first place? Means that the ballast, draft, center of lateral resistance, etc are not necessarily as designed. Any thoughts?

The picture looks exactly like the elliptical lead fin keel on our 1988 O-34. Except for at least one they built with a wing keel, all of the run of 39 that EY built will have this keel. So, this is how it was done in the first place. i.e. just as designed.
I will attach a site link with a picture of the brochure. Note that EY released a pre-production brochure showing a different port layout and the wrong keel profile. I am lucky to have a flyer from the Seattle dealer that is correct, and that's in this link.

O 34broch,small

ericsonyachts.org

Our boat: https://ericsonyachts.org/ie/media/o-34-in-slings-fall-08.8603/

 

[boatgeek]

ah ha ! Thanks Loren. Let me ask the Olson-friendly surveyor about that. Maybe some confusion. The keel bolts sure looked factory. That eases my mind some.

 

[bertboyer]

Looks like ours as well...

 

[Christian Williams]

Fascinating. Sailboatdata.com must have gotten the erroneous document. The rudder looks different too.

Or maybe their profile is of one prototype? if an O34 owner, I'd continue Loren's quest to get their listing right. Sailboatdata relies on owners for correction.

The OLSON 34 built by ERICSON (the majority), were considerably heavier than than the single boat that came from Pacific Boats. Most of these were also thought to have the taller rig, (with the dimensions indicated here) more suited to the lighter winds seen on the east coast USA.
Thanks to OLSON 34 owner Loren Beach for providing a number of corrections.

 

[Loren Beach]

Fascinating. Sailboatdata.com must have gotten the erroneous document. The rudder looks different too.

View attachment 52658

That's an early pre production drawing they got from Pacific Boats. The EY O-34 has the elliptical keel and rudder. Cabin windows are totally different also. Mysteriously, the aft cabin layout is flipped, port for starboard.
From the steps looking forward it's OK.
After I communicated with Sailboatdata, they only used part of the info I provided. Donno why.

 

[boatgeek]

OK, good people of EY, I have done the deed. I will be pouring over various threads and asking questions as I try to get the her back into shape.

 

[Prairie Schooner]

OK, good people of EY, I have done the deed. I will be pouring over various threads and asking questions as I try to get the her back into shape.

Congratulations!!!

 

[G Kiba]

About the mast base. I think I would do a good clean-up with a brass wire brush and take more close-up photos. Then call and send those pics to Buzz Ballenger for his opinion. I think he still personally answers the phone sometimes? Although I don't know for how much longer. You could also get opinions from other riggers. Up here in the SF Bay Area I would try Rouge Rigging and Berkeley Marine Center. Both are very reputable. From what I see in your picture (and for what it's worth), the damage does not look bad. The mast force in downward, its' not going anywhere but down. I would periodically watch the shroud tension especially after sailing in a breeze and note any big losses in tension (got a Loose gauge?). Looks to me that the corrosion may have fused the mast to the mast base a bit. But again, i don't think it is going anywhere. O34 is a great boat. My friend has one.

 

[boatgeek]

About the mast base. I think I would do a good clean-up with a brass wire brush and take more close-up photos. Then call and send those pics to Buzz Ballenger for his opinion. I think he still personally answers the phone sometimes? Although I don't know for how much longer. You could also get opinions from other riggers. Up here in the SF Bay Area I would try Rouge Rigging and Berkeley Marine Center. Both are very reputable. From what I see in your picture (and for what it's worth), the damage does not look bad. The mast force in downward, its' not going anywhere but down. I would periodically watch the shroud tension especially after sailing in a breeze and note any big losses in tension (got a Loose gauge?). Looks to me that the corrosion may have fused the mast to the mast base a bit. But again, i don't think it is going anywhere. O34 is a great boat. My friend has one.

Thanks Grant! Yeah, I've got more urgent fish to fry at the moment, but I like your idea.

 

[Slick470]

Fascinating. Sailboatdata.com must have gotten the erroneous document. The rudder looks different too.

Or maybe their profile is of one prototype? if an O34 owner, I'd continue Loren's quest to get their listing right. Sailboatdata relies on owners for correction.

The OLSON 34 built by ERICSON (the majority), were considerably heavier than than the single boat that came from Pacific Boats. Most of these were also thought to have the taller rig, (with the dimensions indicated here) more suited to the lighter winds seen on the east coast USA.
Thanks to OLSON 34 owner Loren Beach for providing a number of corrections.


View attachment 52658

They have a similarly wrong line diagram for the Olson 911S as well. Both boats were built with elliptical keels and rudders, as well as additional ports by Pacific Boats and then Ericson. Hull 1 of the Olson 34 is a bit different than the rest of the Ericson versions as far as ports, but otherwise they look similar. Major differences are how they are built with solid vs cored hulls, keel attachment structure, and some interior finish differences. My understanding is several people have tried to get them to update the drawings over the years to more accurate versions with no luck. Is what it is I guess.