This thread has been both interesting and informative, especially as a member of the 'Olson Red Headed Stepchild' club within the Ericson family.
I sent Loren a PM from within this site in August of 2010, announcing the purchase and included the HIN info in that message: ERY34109G889. Loren replied, informing that our Olson's worked through the Ericson facility 'nose-to-butt' (my words, not his) as his HIN begins with ERY34108.
There was no mention at the time of Pacific Seacraft, that twist in the story not discovered until much later. Loren also didn't divulge what the G889 meant, which has been decrypted in the meantime.
She's powered with a Universal engine, has 'ERY' moulded in as the HIN, all the applicable government tendrils have her logged as a 1989 ERicson vessel, making it easy to stick with "she's an Olson built by Ericson".
Those with sharp eyes will note the sail number [34109] not-coincidentally matches parts of the HIN. She didn't have sail numbers when purchased, US Sailing had no record of her, so I picked numbers that were easy to locate and matched the HIN mould. Ignorance is bliss and boy, was I (still am!) ignorant.
This has been a fun thread to track. Thanks for those who added to the story.