Recent content by Kevin A Wright

Sean, you will be happy to know your Little Boat is still going strong. Just got back from taking the ladies up to Langley for 3 days. I've moved her to Port Orchard from Port Townsend in preparation for my retirement at the end of this year. Also put a new Beta 35 in her and now working on...

Hi Loren, I do the same thing - evaluate the latest and greatest when it comes time to make a replacement. And while newer battery technologies have made great strides in many applications where weight is a big factor, I just don't see that as such a big factor in a sailboat (actually I'd have...

I've got that same on/off button on my showerhead in my 1986 E35. Very nice feature for water conservation. But if you aren't aware of it can be a bit confusing. And to confirm in mine a single pump supplies galley, head, and shower. A separate pump empties the shower bilge. Mine is manual...

Best mod has been building a swing arm for my radar so you can see it from the cockpit, but swings out of the way the rest of the time. Very handy for the foggy July's we get here in the PNW and playing dodge 'em with the freighters in the Straights. Used to be able to get a commercial version...

Mine is #224 built in 1986. Kevin Wright E35-3 Hydro Therapy

I think I looked at both the 32 and 35 when I was looking to upgrade about 8 years ago. I ended up buying a 1986 35 - 3. If I remember the 32 had the head in the aft stbd quarter and it was not tall enough for me to stand up in (i'm 6'). I also think the dining table wrapped around the mast...

Was just up there last week for business for a few days. Stayed downtown. If you are going to do that, I'd suggest the Rosewood hotel on Georgia St. All downtown hotels are pretty pricy, so I go for one with nice amenities. Close to restaurants and shopping. For the attractions, there's...

If you are going to the trouble, I'd replace the through hull as well. I replaced the A4 in my E27 with a new Perkins diesel. When I did the new raw water pump pulled so much water it would collapse the raw water hose because the old seacock had such a tiny opening. I also had a tremendous...

Yes, just sand and paint with a good weather resistant paint or epoxy for now. Then if you decide you like the boat (heavy odds you will, its and Ericson for God's sake) then build a new one. I built a new one for my E27 years ago using solid teak frame and 1/2" teak ply for the top. To curve...

It sounds like you've covered the likely suspects on the inlet side barring something like a jellyfish flapper valve. But rather than start at the discharge of the pump, I'd disconnect the water to the exhaust mixer and check there. That is an area where carbon/Salt/Crud can build up and block...

I put an in hull depth sounder (Actually hummingbird fish finder) in my E27 30 years ago. Worked excellent. You just had to find a flat spot of hull, grind it flat, and epoxy in place. Was a little tricky finding a good flat spot on the centerline in the bow but worked like a charm. I had...

I don't have a strut zinc on my E35 and see no issues. I didn't have on on my E27 for the first 15 years I owned it. Then one time I was diving to clean the bottom and noticed I had pink pits up to 1/4" deep in spots on the strut. I believe someone new in the marina had a grounding problem...

If the engine is running well - good compression, etc. I'd think replacing that water jacket plate is the way to go. If for some reason the engine itself is shot (bad rings, bearings, etc). Then you can either repower with a rebuilt A4 or put in a diesel. The problem with repowering with...

I replaced the M25 in my E35 MKIII a little over a year ago in Port Townsend. There is a local Beta dealer in PT that I bought through and he was helpful with making sure things would fit, etc. I decided to go with a Beta 30, since the M25 always seemed underpowered only to find that was...

FWIW I used to use 5kts for general planning purposes with my old E27. You should be close to that on your 26. But as Bruce said, in the PNW plan, plan, plan and sail with the currents. This whole area is made mostly of relatively narrow channels with a lot of water exchange. And the...