E26 Fin Keel height?

DavidWms · Mar 1, 2011

Can anyone tell me how long the fin keel on an E26 is? I'm considering the purchase of one 1300 miles away and considering transporting myself on a friends trailer because the shipping quotes are simply too expensive. The trailer has adjustable brackets but I need to confirm that their minimum height is not too tall for the E26. I've attached a picture showing the trailer with my friend's boat, which is 33 ft. LOA and 8 ft. beam. I've looked in the downloads but cannot see that information. From eyeballing pics, I'd guess around 3' 6" but need more exact information. Thanks for your help.

If anyone happens to have a cross-sectional drawing showing the boat from port to starboard, that would also help. Thanks.

DavidWms · Mar 1, 2011

Tiny picture

Well, that tiny picture is pretty much useless, isn't it?

sleather · Mar 1, 2011

Here's a nice pic of one on a cradle.

http://classified.nauticexpo.com/small-ads-used-boat-classifieds/ericson-26-55980.html

Loren Beach · Mar 1, 2011

Nice catch Steve!
I zoomed it, dragged it, and imported it here.
LB

markvone · Mar 1, 2011

Which E26, which keel?

David,

Your estimate is pretty close. If you are refering to the 1984 and newer E26 (not the original 1960's era) I remember that I had a note on my 1984 E26 depth meter saying my fin was either 2.3 feet (2'4") or 2.7 feet (2'8") (can't remember exactly). My depth transducer was in the main hull body next to the fin so although my full draft was 3'11" (shoal draft version) the meter could read only 2.3 or 2.7 before I should be hitting bottom. A deep keel E26 (4'11") should be 3.3/3.7 feet. I don't remember how I measured this number but it should be pretty close as I drove that E26 around a lot in some pretty skinny water at the time.

Mark

Randy Rutledge · Mar 2, 2011

David

If done properly you can shore up the keel rest if the bunks are too tall. Be sure that the shoring is done with timber that is strong enough and wide enough that it will not try to roll. You should also screw the timbers to the existing keel rest.

DavidWms · Mar 2, 2011

87 e26

Thanks, Guys. Mark, it's an 87 so it is the 4'11" like the one shown in the picture. Here's another picture, close up of the trailer. I'm also a little concerned about the angle of the bow bracket.

DavidWms · Mar 2, 2011

Duh

Randy Rutledge said:
David

If done properly you can shore up the keel rest if the bunks are too tall. Be sure that the shoring is done with timber that is strong enough and wide enough that it will not try to roll. You should also screw the timbers to the existing keel rest.

Randy, that is an obvious solution that I had overlooked. Good idea. The tow vehicle shown in the picture is a Ford Sport Trac that my freind owns. As you may know it's a door truck based on an Explorer. He pulled his boat from Va. to Ark. with it. I was surprised to see that it has a longer WB than a Suburban and its max towing capacity is around 7200 pounds. The trailer is around 1200 and the boat is 5250 (plus whatever gear is on it), so I think this may be doable.

I have not checked into short term liability insurance for the trip yet, but that is my next step.

Randy Rutledge · Mar 2, 2011

Liability for the boat and trailer should be covered under the tow vehicle.
I pull my E-29 with a 1/2 ton GMC truck. Towing rate for the truck 8750, boat 8500++, trailer 3000 or so. I have no trouble pulling or stopping with electric brakes on two axles.

The bow pad may not even be in position to support your boat. If you strap the boat front and back it will be ok with the six pads and standing on the keel.

RKCRWLR · Mar 3, 2011

I am stating the obvious...

but watch your bridge height! I hauled from St. Clair (Detroit) to Great Salt Lake, UT with an '88 E26 WK last year. I was around 12.5' with the mast on top. Side roads were not an option in a lot of locals! Got the crap scared out of me coming out of Detroit. Clearances kept dropping and when I saw 12-6, I am pretty sure my heart stopped for a good 30 seconds. You'll love the '87... its my favorite year of E26.

DavidWms · Mar 3, 2011

RKCRWLR said:
but watch your bridge height! I hauled from St. Clair (Detroit) to Great Salt Lake, UT with an '88 E26 WK last year. I was around 12.5' with the mast on top. Side roads were not an option in a lot of locals! Got the crap scared out of me coming out of Detroit. Clearances kept dropping and when I saw 12-6, I am pretty sure my heart stopped for a good 30 seconds. You'll love the '87... its my favorite year of E26.

12'6" - That is some low clearance. Good point. I'll need to check that on our route. Should not be a problem going over GW Bridge in NYC, at least.

markvone · Mar 3, 2011

What's your Alibi?

David,

Are you looking at "Alibi" out in Northport? I got to look at it and sail it this summer before I decided to go for a bigger boat. Contact me directly if you'd like more info.

Mark

Loren Beach · Mar 4, 2011

Overhead Clearance

DavidWms said:
12'6" - That is some low clearance. Good point. I'll need to check that on our route. Should not be a problem going over GW Bridge in NYC, at least.

From watching our boat get loaded onto a transport trailer, I recall that the mast was wrapped with scrap carpet, and then plastic, and then secured beside the keel, on the trailer.
We were OK for clearance to the top of both pulpits without having to remove either of them, but with not too much spare.
(I actually transported the boom, spinn pole, and radar pole home separately on the rack of a pickup truck.)

Also, be sure that all of the coiled-up standing rigging is well padded, very well. You would be amazed and disheartened at what ANY of this stuff will do any parts of the boat it leans or rests on during a road trip!

LB

DavidWms · Mar 4, 2011

No vibration is a good vibration

Loren Beach said:
Also, be sure that all of the coiled-up standing rigging is well padded, very well. You would be amazed and disheartened at what ANY of this stuff will do any parts of the boat it leans or rests on during a road trip!
LB

Another excellent point for my checklist. If I tow it myself, the marina will have to decommission it and may not be that concerned about how its done since they will never see me again. Other than well padded and no stray rigging, are there any guidelines on how to minimize rubbing from vibration, etc? Don't know if Don Casey discusses that type thing but I'll check it out.

RKCRWLR · Mar 4, 2011

Mast

When I moved mine, I wrapped the contact points in carpet and pulled most of the stays. Since I was still reasonable on height, I left my pullpits on and rode the mast on top. Its is without doubt best to take the mast off, wrap it, and ride in on the trailer. However, that was not an option with the boat trailer due to length. I also needed to push the mast as far forward over the truck as possible to keep the rear overhang within the Oversize Load permit requirements.

Randy Rutledge · Mar 4, 2011

Do you guys get a wide load permit or just count on luck like and ericson owner I know.....? I have thought about checking into the cost and complications of a permit this year. I don't know of a private owner who had gotten a permit but 8' 6" is the legal limit. Any experience here or thoughts?

DavidWms · Mar 4, 2011

Randy Rutledge said:
Do you guys get a wide load permit or just count on luck like and ericson owner I know.....? I have thought about checking into the cost and complications of a permit this year. I don't know of a private owner who had gotten a permit but 8' 6" is the legal limit. Any experience here or thoughts?

I'm still investigating, but I talked with a broker in Chicago today who said that in many states, if the load is less than 10 feet, you can travel in daylight hours without a permit if you put a wideload sign on the vehicle. I haven't checked that out. BTW, the broker is an Ericson sailor who claims to have won multiple Chicago/Mackinac races.

AleksT · Mar 5, 2011

Concerning the mast and rigging: Wrap everything that is going to be exposed while traveling. Buy the big roll of bubble wrap and plastic wrap and cover the whole mast (bubble first). If you are going to lash the Standing rigging coils to the the top of the boat (and not store them inside) make sure to wrap them in plastic also.
We recently installed a rig on a boat that was shipped about 2000 miles. All the rigging was in a coil exposed to the elements.
After the power washing I still had to unscrew all the turnbuckles to clean dirt out of all the threads and wipe down all the rigging.
Once everything is tightly wrapped in plastic there will be no movement so no chafe. You can then add carpet in the places where the mast (or boom) is resting and you should have a safe trip.

RKCRWLR · Mar 7, 2011

Permitting

I obtained permits. I did not want a ticket and to be stuck on the side of the road waiting for permits after. But then again, a ticket on personal time is still counted against me at work, so I have an incentive to be careful! I don't know of any state that you can put an oversize on under 10' with out a permit. The 10 ft cut off is usually associate with night travel or escort requirments. I always use a permit service to simplify things...www.mercurypermits.net You can get a lot of good info on state requirements there.

That said, I know a lot of folks who don't get a permit. With the E26, your only 3.5" over on wither side. Most law enforcement would not see that. Your beam is officially 9'3", though you will measure a little more. However, the shear size of the load may make a LEO take a second look, especially if the local economy is down or you have alread got caught for something else. The boat does look big on a trailer and makes for an easy target....

DavidWms · Mar 8, 2011

Wide load banner?

You are right, the boat does look big on the trailer. I'd guess you are subject to the whims of an LOE who may be either too busy or may just want to pull over an "ole boy" (as we say down South) with out of state tags just to question him. As a rule of thumb, I'd guess the smaller the town, the more likely you'd be pulled over. Do you use wide load banners and are they required in your states?

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E26 Fin Keel height?

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