hello, sailing her isn't an issue, it be the reason i bought it along with giving previous owner benefit of the doubt. i can't access the tranny to change shifter cable, mechanic couldn't either, didn't charge me for trying, suggested i sell it. I don't even know if i have to remove pedestal for installation of cables. Am not familiar with tech, appears i ask my questions wrong, haven't found an answer to how to install the cables on ericson 30 plus, not only is ericson yachts defunct, so is yacht specialties, wonder why it went bust, Catalina produced over 6K C30s, aye, she was designed with comfort in mind hence slower than Panacea but if i can't use engine i can't sail, feel stupid having read this sentiment considering i be a sailor. it's unfortunate that where i sail the engine is necessary. i am a small man, feel like a giraffe when attempting to reach the tranny. Have a lot of water in bilge, pump works but no suction from hose, connections are good, don't know where else to look because there isn't a service manual for this boat. Wetvac action is depressing, water pressure pump still not producing enough pressure for water to flow from taps, on;y drips. Didn't need the radar when i sailed her this summer, believed the owner when he said it worked. Raytheon radar doesn't turn on. Was considering autopilot but will fix cable, sail her for another year then upgrade. Doubt she'd make it to PR from nyc, convinced step mast isn't ideal for offshore cruising. The bilge water isn't from the mast, convinced it's from the shaft, found water near engine, pool of water near the stuffing box, how to access it? My third sailboat, appears DIY for this boat was not on their minds when designing the interior, hiowever, even a pro mechanic couldn't find a way to reach tranny, much less the stuffing box. Will make dripless if possible, how you and your mechanics managed to access your tranny is unimaginable to me. Water heater, hoses, all in the way, perhaps your setup is different. I love working on my boats, how else do i ask how to install shifter cable on ericson 30 plus? Thanks for the encouraging reply. if i didn't need this to live i wouldn't be doing it, three years self exile because of sustained sub arachnoid hemorrhage, sailing is how i keep alive, allows me to feel my recovery was worth attempting, sailing is all i could remember after regaining consciousness two weeks after the crash. Sailing, writing, a pussycat was all i needed to feel comfortable in society again, bought Panacea after losing the C30 to a winter storm last year, two days ago, the storm with 50kn+winds destroyed the dock i'm hitched to, if i had an operational engine would've hitched to a mooring ball, docks are not ideal for sailboats under 40'. Wish i can learn to send pics on this forum. fair winds...