Plastic Classic Forum

From a bit of searching on the WWW, it looks like that model weighs about 7500#. I would imagine that a couple of cross beams with a lifting tackle on each side -- two straps -- and some come-alongs or chain hoists would raise it up so that the trailer could be rolled under it. Many many years ago, ...

13? Wow. My 34 footer has less below-DLW thru hulls to worry about. Let's see... engine intake, galley sink drain, head sink drain, Head intake and discharge.... There are also some tough "thru hull" fittings for instrument transducers (2) and the solid one for the Frigoboat heat exchanger...

I have a thread on this subject over at Ericsonyachts.org, and certainly appreciate the thoughts and pictures here. While this is down my project list a ways, it is something we need for our boat. Every wet trip offshore reminds me of the value of a good dodger. If I chicken out of building a mold f...

On a prior boat I had a cascading 4 to 1 external tackle on the outside and while it did its job very well, line was always hanging down and trying to snag people or other stuff unless adjusted precisely. Present boat has a multi-part tackle inside the boom with the tail exiting up near the front an...

This is for the 23ST, Its not the exact same winch but I think it is close...try this link. If the link doesn't work, it's from the Ericson owners website. http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/local_links.php?action=jump&catid=35&id=144 And if it DOES work it's also from ericsonyachts....

One of the nicest things about forums like this is that we share non-judgemental information about what we have seen work or... sometimes not. On our 34 footer I have tried to stick to a relatively simple system. I often wish for more gadgets and add-ons, but that's often just because I like gadgets...

FWIW, I like the look of the chrome bronze... Last year I replaced all the orig. above water thru hulls on our '88 model boat. They were a variety of plastics and the UV had weakened them over the decades. New polished SS for all... except.... the chipped and worn chrome surface on the orig. bronze ...

We have removed a lot of adhesive from the hull as we replaced the factory fabric hull ceilings/ "liner". Acetone or lacquer thinner is ok, but a commercial product called Goof-Off seems to work a bit better. You do need a lot of ventilation and a supply of latex gloves. I used a box fan o...

I once fixed about 30 or 40 large gel coat blisters, on my former boat. This was in the 80's. While some were a couple inches across, none went beyond the thin layer of mat that was under the gel coat (beyond that were multiple layers of roving). I got a lot of advice, all well meaning, and some rat...

We replaced our four large fixed ports in '95. Lexan, frameless, and screwed down with a pan head 3/4" ss screw about every 6 inches around the perimeter. Your screw length will be calculated so that the points will not quite show on the inside. The "trick" is to have the external len...

This was suggested on the Ariel forum and I thought it was a great idea. And since diesels are much less frequent per capita on that forum, I thought I'd ask the collective here for some additional input. I only go through 1 or 2 gallons a year, and a 12-14 gallon tank seems unnecessary. This setup...

For moving a lot of water for the dollar, it's hard to beat a centrifugal pump, like the ubiquitous Rule. These need to be deep down and be fully immersed to work at all, and after they shut off, quite a bit of water will flow back down the hose. They can, however, occasionally air lock if there are...

Several years ago, we found that the marinas in our area that used to have real block ice had quit carrying it in favor of cube ice. It seems that 99% of their regular customers were cruisers wanting ice for drinks or fishermen wanting it to chill their catch. You are right about the difference betw...

Agree with the other posters about doing some overdue "reformatting" of the wiring if it is old (and very likely untinned). Another upgrade is to bring all the wiring in to terminal strips behind the panel. That way any bridging can be done on the strip and only a single #12 goes to each b...

I used West System epoxy to glue down a new galley counter top. Maybe a little too permanent (?); in another 20 years the next owner can change it if he wishes... :( Original was removed in one piece with lots of thin wedges and steady assault with a heat gun. It was then used for a pattern. I would...

I hope the "thread police" do not ticket me for trying to expand the thread a little bit... but we have had quite a long thread discussion of the stove fuel topic over at ericsonyachts.org, and I would guess that a preponderance of owners either like the instant heat of a propane stove or ...

Tried the 4200 and have no complaints in particular, but over the last decade have changed over to Boatlife LifeSeal (clear) for all of our above-water bedding. Easier to work with than the 4200, imo. Truth to tell, preparing the mating surfaces properly is probably more important then choosing the ...

Dave, I must add my congratulations to the others! Fine design and execution. I can never seem to get my varnish to look that good! In case others are planning to add external Lexan (r) lenses, I would like to suggest a good way to adhere them. When we bought our boat in '94, the four fixed port wer...

http://www.mcmaster.com/

I have sourced fasteners, metal, and composites from these folks. They do not seem to mind small accounts and the shipping is fast. Their total inventory is quite mind-boggling...
:)

LB

I may have missed this point while cruising thru all the great replies... but since the thrust of the pro and con was on changing the B/D ratio by adding more ballast , it seems like some thought should go into the other "side" of the balance equation -- all that weight aloft. Remember tha...

http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchan ... errerid=28

Picture in this thread.

And Tim, thanks for a chuckle, fearless mariner that you are!
:)

LB

From the photo of the existing thru hull, it looks like a valve screwed onto a threaded thu hull fitting. On the outside is sort of trash filter that can be accessed by diving or at a haul out. I would suggest replacement of the old fitting with a much-safer ball-valve sea cock. This is a fitting th...