Reefing the mainsail on Sure Shot, my 1990 Ericson 32-200, is something I had read about extensively but had never actually done until recently. I wanted to understand more than just the steps; I wanted to understand the loads, the…
Understanding Depreciation Curves in Older Sailboats: Why My Ericson 32-200 Has Reached Its Value Floor Most people assume boats depreciate like cars. Cars lose value every year, and eventually they are worth almost nothing. Older fiberglass sailboats do not behave…
Outing: Second trip on the Ericson 32-200Objective: Learn the exact setup and execution required for single-handed dockingAreas Used: Grand Marina slip and empty docks in Brooklyn Basin When I bought this boat, my biggest question was simple: How do you…
Date: November 14, 2025Crew: Jeremyn + BeccaTime Underway: ~6 hoursRoute: Grand Marina → Oakland Estuary → Yerba Buena Island → San Francisco Bay → return 1. Departure & Systems Check We cast off from Grand Marina at 11:15, conducting a…
The exhaust mixing elbow is one of the highest-stress, highest-failure-rate components on any Yanmar diesel—especially the 3GM30F found in many 1980s–1990s production sailboats. It’s a consumable part that corrodes internally long before the outside shows visible problems. During the 2023…
A reliable bilge pump system is one of the most important safety components on any sailboat. When I purchased my Ericson 32-200, the survey revealed that although a Rule 1500 submersible pump was on board, it wasn’t actually installed in…
One of the first small but annoying problems aboard Sure Shot was a constant hissing sound coming from the vented loop in the head discharge line. At times it was subtle; other times it bubbled or whistled. It also correlated…
One of the most valuable habits I brought from my time in the Coast Guard into civilian sailing is the discipline of system familiarization—physically tracing and drawing on paper; every hose, valve, line, and fitting on a vessel until you…
A marine survey is more than a valuation document—it becomes the technical roadmap for the next phase of a boat’s life. When I reviewed the 2023 survey for my Ericson 32-200 Sure Shot, I cataloged every required and recommended repair…
Insuring an older sailboat is rarely straightforward. Once a boat passes 30 years old, most insurers stop relying on the owner’s word and start relying entirely on surveys, risk profiles, and the work history of the vessel. When I purchased…