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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Admiralty Forum

Thinking of an Ericson 32

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/05/2007 : 21:03:03

Hi folks
On June 16 I'll be taking a test cruise on an Ericson 32. I'm sure it's in great shape as it is currently owned by an Ex Air Force Engineer/consultant, who definitely seems type A. The pics look great, 800 hours on the engine. I'll get a survey of course.
I don't know jack about inboards and stuffing boxes, etc. I'll read Casey's book on surveying in the meantime.
Any words of wisdom?

Frank Gloss
Formerly 89WK/TR
85 Ericson 32-3 shoal draft "Molto Bene"

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2007 : 21:20:11

get a real marine surveyor to look at it. We didn't know a thing about inboards and stuffing boxes either. The stuffing box should drip once every 4 to 7 seconds. I'll send you a copy of my survey to give you an idea of what I received.

What year is it?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2007 : 21:28:16

Ya--welcome to the Admiralty Gang!

Where and how will you be using this monster?

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/05/2007 21:29:11

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 07:19:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The stuffing box should drip once every 4 to 7 seconds.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Depends on the model....."type A" people tend to install PSS dripless versions.......

Surveyors, with some exception are not engine specialists. They can verify that it runs, propels the vessel in the two required directions, doesn't vibrate off the mounts, and doesn't expell fluids in inappropriate places.

To assess the true condition of an engine you need an engine surveyor, or easier, pay a reputable mechanic with knowledge of the brand in question to take a look at it.

A word on hours...... 800 doesn't sound like a lot, but if it took 25 years to get them on there, your're talking 32 hours a season..... 15 minutes out, 15 minutes in. The worst you can do to a diesel..... So ascertain the year of the engine.

If you want to get REALLY into it you do a compression test, and take an oil sample for analysis. The latter will reveal what metal particles are floating around in there, and certain types of metal indicate wear and tear in final stages......

Don't let me scare you. A well running diesel with a clean fuel supply and good cooling will most likely run many more years. Good luck.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 08:34:05

I'm guessing many if not most earlier Ericson 32s came with Atomic 4 gas engines. Frank??

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/06/2007 08:47:48

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 11:40:25

Frank,

Are you aware of this site: [url="http://www.geocities.com/tpe2/ericson.htm"]Ericson 32[/url]

Best of luck with the boat and survey.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 11:56:23

Good points on the engine Rick. I had the benefit of a former (15 year) marine diesel mechanic who turned surveyor about 8 years ago. I really didn't think about the fact that many surveyors don't know the ins and outs of an engine other than the basics.

And yes, there are now dripless stuffing boxes, I'd bet most Ericsson's don't have them.

Another thing I emailed to Frank, but didn't have a chance to put here is that many or most insurance companies want a survey on something of this size, so you might as well get one in advance of the purchase if you are serious about the vessel. You can then use it for both the insurance and the negotiations.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 12:35:13

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 14:43:18

yeah him too [insert appropriate emoticon here]

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 17:46:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 yeah him too

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 20:43:33

I have already contacted one of the two certifiedsurveyors near Ft.Walton beach. The one I'll probably choose has been a sailor for years. The other does mostly power boats

It's an 86 Model, the Mark III. It has a Universal M25 Diesel. It also has Autopilot, Central air, Furler, Mack Pack, shoal draft.
The owner has sent me lots of Pics, and it looks to be in great shape. He is an Air Force engineer/retired officer. So the boat should be in really ship shape condition.
It has a packing which drips a few drips per hour.
The bottom done two years ago.
I'll bring it back to Knoxville and keep it at my sailing club. The lake is a bit small for this size boat, but I'll use it to learn about how to handle and keep up a larger boat. It's also a very beautiful boat, and I plan to party on it a lot. Of course a walk in head is a big plus for the ladies. It has a teak wine rack, and a teak liquor cabinet built in. It's set up for single handing.
It's priced below similar boats on boats.com
The guy has cancer, and I won't try to beat him down on price, he has already lowered it from a month ago.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/06/2007 : 21:13:37

Sounds fantastic! (...except for the part about the seller.

) I've never heard anything but good things about Ericsons, and they are indeed nice looking boats. And that wine rack...

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 07:20:57

That diesel is pretty solid - its the step up from what I have (m20 or 5416). Some things that were suggested were upgrading the raw water strainer and going to a newer fuel filter (bigger of the two fuel filters)

dw

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 08:06:34

Frank has an advantage regarding fuel filters... The most common problem is when the boat gets into heavy seas, starts pitching, and churns up the algae that grows in diesel tanks and then dies and becomes sludge. There are additives to inhibit the growth, and extra filters should always be on board, but on Frank's lake......

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 09:51:57

Somewhere online you should be able to find the original manual for that diesel. It also has suggested spare parts to carry along. Do yourself a favor and not sail into the dock (like I did last night) without wanting to by carrying those items.

Along with that - There are most likely two fuel filters on the M-20. Carry the O rings for both and pick up a metric ratchet wrench the same size as your bleed screw and leave it set up near the engine.

Our Diesel took a choke last night b/c of a shot O ring letting air into the line.

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 13:01:41

Frank, buy it. Period.

I posted on the other side earlier. Anything you need to know I'll be glad to help. We moved from our C25 to a C34 nine years ago, and I learned all the stuff that the guys are mentioning. It's daunting, but in retrospect not that hard. Step-by-step. Would be glad to lead you through it.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 15:41:41

I like the idea of learning new things.
I'll probably take some diesel classes. I notice that the Annapolis school of Seamanship offers them
A good friend of mine, who bought a diesel Catalina 25 after sailing on my 89 wing (no diesel) is a diesel wizard. I'll get him to teach me how to bleed the lines, etc.
But I will take you up on your offer, Stu, and learn from you.

I'm excited

I hope that the dock power at my sailing club will be adequate for the air conditioner. The owner says he feeds it from his house up on a hill with a 20 amp breaker. I hope it didn't have too much voltage loss and there is some motor burn issues.

Theres some more chapters in Calder's book I'm going to have to read.
This will be a good training boat before I buy my retirement boat.
You know, that Cabo rico 48 in my future (yeah, in my dreams, along with the deck wench to keep the brightwork varnished)

Edited by - on

Champipple
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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 20:38:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 Frank has an advantage regarding fuel filters... The most common problem is when the boat gets into heavy seas, starts pitching, and churns up the algae that grows in diesel tanks and then dies and becomes sludge. There are additives to inhibit the growth, and extra filters should always be on board, but on Frank's lake......
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm on a lake

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/07/2007 : 21:05:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 I'm on a lake

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Ya, a Great Lake. Your O-30 might get bounced around a little! Haven't seen any lakes like that around Knoxville...

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2007 : 12:57:06

Hi Frank, I really liked my C25, but am happy to have sooo much more room both above and below decks. Good luck and keep up posted. Cheers.

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2007 : 14:48:16

Don't worry about the drip rate of the shaft...they are all different. Besides you'll need one of those $9 wrenches, then you can adjust the rate to how you like it or what the manual says it should be.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2007 : 17:16:57

When I talked to the Ericson's current owner today he asked me if I know much about diesels. Of course the answer was no. He said that he will spend time with me teaching me to change the oil and fuel filters, change the oil, and how to bleed the system. What a guy.
He would also spend time with me sailing it to show me everyting about the boat.

Anybody out there know of a good boat hauler? I'll need to transport this beast from Ft. Walton Beach Florida to Knoxville, Tennessee. I got the names of two locals, but it doesn't hurt to know of others. Summer is apparently a busy time for those guys.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2007 : 18:36:15

Take a look online at uship.com it is run by the folks at Ebay and is kind of like a reverse auction, or similar to lending tree. They bid on your job.

Every once in a while you catch a guy trying to pick up cargo for the "flip flop" and you will really get a deal. Frank Hopper listed my boat at one point prior to it selling locally. That deal fell through, but he might give you some more specifics.

Bert - those wrenches are more like 25 bucks and you'll need two of them. Rather nice sized pipe wrenches. But he's right don't worry bout the drips.

Unrelated thought - One thing about the bigger boat is that there is a different ownership mindset. There are different problems and challenges causing opinions to change and priorities to shift.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2007 : 21:48:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 ...Unrelated thought - One thing about the bigger boat is that there is a different ownership mindset. There are different problems and challenges causing opinions to change and priorities to shift.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
...and then when you make the change I just did..........

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2007 : 15:21:41

DIESEL CLASSES

Frank, I've been thinking about this and you over the weekend. It occurred to me that diesel classes may well be a waste of time for you for this reason: the diesel classes will teach you everything about diesel engines where you could be well advised to spend all that time learning about the ONLY diesel that you care about: YOURS!

You can really learn about the way they work, and why, from any book, and since you've had your C25 for so long, and you hang out here, we know you read! (and type!)

Seriously, what you want to learn about is YOUR engine. Yanmars, for instance, don't have glow plugs, yours does. And I have a nifty ($10) glow plug enhancement just waiting around the corner for you when you take possession of your new boat.

Here's the link to the ngine website: http://www.marinedieseldirect.com/universal/200157/universal-owners-manual-m25-specifications.html

Edited by - Stu Jackson C34 on 06/11/2007 15:25:18

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2007 : 15:31:20

I agree with STU . but first I think you should buy that other boat

and Stu, since I now have a glow plug please post something about your enhancement.

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