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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

SURVEY SAYS: Don't buy that Ericson 32

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/23/2007 : 07:50:11

After spending about a grand traveling to see a used Ericson 32, haul out and survey I decided not to buy it. Buying a used sailboat has it's expenses. I had two C25s surveyed before I bought my current 89 wing, and will probably pay to have another Ericson surveyed before I buy one.
But as it is stessed time and time again, A survey is essential, unless you are buying a used Sunfish or something like that.
I did know that the pedestal on this particular Ericson had flex, indicating some deck rot, something that was not technically difficult, but a huge pain in the rear job, and that I would accept it. The survey indicated other things that I didn't or couldn't find without a haul out.
21 palm sized blisters on the hull and a hundred smaller blisters. Rusty rudder post, leaky heat exchanger, rusty elbow on exhaust riser, stuck marlon valves, scored shaft, no zincs, automotive and household wiring connections, two more soft spots on deck, central air conditioner with inadequate airflow, etc.

Wouldn't it be nice to have an extra 150k lying around to buy a new boat. From what I understand, you need to have a new boat surveyed too. I met someone who is having many warranty repairs on their new Catalina 34 6 months after purchase. Makes you wonder about Catalina's current build quality assurance.

Of course we all know that when you buy a used boat you have to do some work and repairs on it. Availability and proximity of competent boatyards is a major factor for some of us. We inland lake sailors only have boatyards who know how to put a trolling motor on Billy Bob's bass boat. (maybe I'm being a little too harsh here)

The good news is that one of my fellow club members may sell his almost pristine Ericson 32 as soon as he finds a summer home in the mountains to buy. It's not tricked out with a lot of extras, which may be a good thing as then you can add new autopilot, etc. A Sabre 30 may come available too. I definitely want a boat with lots of interior teak cabnitry. (the real stuff, not veneer on plywood) Those boats will hold their value better in the future according to many sources.

So the sale of my 89 wing and trailer is delayed for a while. Would you believe I already had some inquiries when folks found out I was looking around? I will have to decide on refinishing the exterior brightwork and a bottom job, or let the new owner deal with it.

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

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 07:52:26

I might add that I'm currently debt free and refuse to finance a boat, thus the need for a cheaper used boat.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 09:08:53

Awesome, wait a year to quit and run for office in September.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 09:38:29

Hey Frank, what part do you find awesome?

What office could possibly have more prestige than my current position as "Grand Poobah of Fleet 89"? If I sell my boat, I'll nominate you for this high exhaulted office, and all it's attendant perks.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 10:22:01

Awesome as in You avoided a bad purchase. You would enjoy any office.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 11:45:21

once again, you are right on the money Frank

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 14:54:19

Blisters are easy - though the palm sized ones are a bit large. No zincs - was it a freshwater boat? wiring, stuck valves, even the deck softspots all the problems sounded realistically repairable and a good way to drive the cost down if you do them yourself...all the way up until you mentioned the leaky heat exchanger - that is a thanks for you time hope you can find a buyer. in and of themselves each is fairly easy to fix, but the combined total and engine problems is a run quickly....

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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 15:07:07

The no purchase decision is a good one. Even though lots of the problem areas could be fixed/repaired relatively easily, it indicates a lack of basic maintenance and care. I bought a boat in this condition once...and won't do it again...no more old boats and no more boats that need lots of repairs and upgrades. If I added all the dollar costs and sweat equity I put in fixing that boat and getting into decent shape, I could have purchased a nicer newer boat in good shape. And spent lots more time on the water and less time in the slip working.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 15:18:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by At Ease
 If I added all the dollar costs and sweat equity I put in fixing that boat and getting into decent shape, I could have purchased a nicer newer boat in good shape. And spent lots more time on the water and less time in the slip working.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Man, you got that right. I'm building my next boat.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2007 : 12:52:10

Two Main decision factors in the purchase of my last boat: Can I sail it away? Can any upgrades or repairs wait until the off-season?

Your decision to walk away is well worth the cost of the the survey.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 03:26:44

What works for one does not work for another. Lady Kay came out of a foreclosure, in serious state of neglect. I have put a lot of money in parts and pieces into her, and countless hours. But, here's the upside....

*The purchase price was accordingly. Even after investing more money, I'm still ahead of the game. I can sell and get my money back. NO ONE on my dock can say that. (We're not talking about getting paid for my time of course.)

*I know every nook and cranny of the boat. I know how she's put together. I can identify problems easily, and fix them, sometimes in the dark.

*All the stuff I replaced is new, and has lots of life in it. A fiberglass hull doesn't fail. Electronics do. Yes things break, but generally speaking she's 95% operational.

For me there is great satisfaction in taking a good ol' boat and give her a new lease on life. It's as close as you can get to building your own boat without actually doing it.

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 18:28:52

Hey Oscar,
It's great to hear from you.
I'm willing to do some things to fix up an older boat, but not others. Working on an engine is beyond my current expertise, as well as replacing a prop, or rudder shaft. The lack of local marinas with qualified workmen is another.
I'm amazed by the amount of boats for sale that lists Loran as an upgrade. It takes time to remove them.

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