Ericson keel

Nov 16, 2022
1
Ericson 200 Québec
Hi everyone,
I'm looking to buy an ericson 1990 38'. The photos we have on it shows some painting job on the keel and some kind of a ''crack'' that goes all around. Does anyone has some info on this? Is it an issue?
Thank you
 

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Sep 25, 2008
7,345
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
I thought all Ericsons had integral keels but apparently not. This clearly isn’t. The separation isn’t necessarily a show-stopper - just check the integrity and specs for all keel bolts. Your surveyor should be instructed to torque all and report results.
 

PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,354
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
The crack you see all around the keel is the keel/hull joint. It's where the metal keel attaches to the fiberglass keel stub of the hull. It often shows up simply because of the physics involved with the two things being bolted together. A coat of paint and/or an application of filler in the crack is the usual remedy. The bigger patches fore and aft are a possible concern. It makes it look like they may have hit something with the keel. This would typically cause the front of the keel to get levered open from the hull, and the back end of the keel to get pushed up into the hull, crushing it. The large painted areas could be covering repairs that were made because of this damage. Looking inside the bilge might show cracks and other delamination that a run-in with a rock or sandbar might have caused, or additional repairs there. Depending upon how much damage there was and how good the repairs actually are, the value of the boat may be greatly reduced. Ask the broker and owner what happened. If you decide you still like this boat and get an accepted offer, ask your surveyor about it too.
 
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Likes: ggrizzard
Oct 26, 2008
6,241
Catalina 320 Barnegat, NJ
The "crack" is really a joint between the fiberglass hull and the bolt-on keel. It's not uncommon to see a crack in the fairing and barrier paint at the joint, but, I think, it isn't so typical to see it all the way around as this one shows. Obviously, somebody appeared to see a need to treat the joint at the front end and the back end of the keel. It's obvious they are not attempting to conceal it. The stains in the first picture could be troubling if the stains are originating from inside the separation - can't tell from these photos. If the bolts can be torqued to specification, that would be one indication that there are no worries. Another good sign would be if the bilge takes on no water while the boat is floating. That would take several days in the water with a dry bilge for me to be convinced there is no seepage. As with just about any old boat, there are some unknowns that you simply can't resolve during the quick decision interval that you have. If you are uncomfortable with the need to perform any repair, you are probably better off dismissing a boat with this type of uncertainty. If you are comfortable handling unknowns as they may show up, this may not be any concern at all.

This doesn't look like a catastrophic failure ready to happen. But it does look like something to watch with an eye toward the possible need for remedy.
 
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Likes: ggrizzard
Jan 11, 2014
12,752
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
If the keel had hit some substantial there will be evidence of it on the leading edge of the keel. The starboard side does not appear to have had any damage, at least none that is visible in the photo. Separation between keel and keel stub is very common with separation in the forward and aft ends of the keel, separation the length of the keel is less common, but not necessarily indicative of a major problem.

Do closely inspect the bilge and the tabbing for the bulkheads. If I recall correctly Ericsons had a fiberglass grid structure supporting the keel and sole. Check to see all doors and drawers work, look for misalignment in cabinetry, these can be indications of damage due to a grounding.

A 30 year old boat will have issues if for no other reason than it is 30 years old. Rely on your surveyor and your own eyes. Take the broker's statements with a grain of salt.
 
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Likes: ggrizzard
Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
The difference between a good repair job and a great repair job is knowing how to hide your mistakes. This is clearly not a great repair job but if there is no structural damage, that can be hidden.
 
Nov 22, 2011
1,249
Ericson 26-2 San Pedro, CA
Hi everyone,
I'm looking to buy an ericson 1990 38'. The photos we have on it shows some painting job on the keel and some kind of a ''crack'' that goes all around. Does anyone has some info on this? Is it an issue?
Thank you
Might want to post your question to ericsonyachts.org, where you'll find plenty of owners of the 38, just in case there is an aspect to this that relates to the 38 in particular. To me, it looks like a generic issue that can appear on many boats.