My Sailboat - The Chimera

I am feeling nostalgic about my sailboat.

After a year of sailing this old boat hard - a couple weeks ago in 40 knot winds and big swells... it decided it had enough.

Last weekend in average San Francisco wind, the port side spreader came off the mast (not good!). Then in the panic that ensued, the main sail backfilled and the boom swung across and snapped in half!!! when the main sheet tightened.

It simply had enough. Those parts are 30 years old and the boom showed signs of corrosion where the bolts holes were for the main sheet plates. That is where it split.

I am not rich, I stole this boat for 6 grand after saving for 2 years. I restored the motor myself - replacing all the electrical and fuel line and filter. And have done nearly all the other work with a buddy of mine.

I've had a blast on the Bay though. It's a great boat. A 1978 Ericson 27.
I started a savings just for the boat. Good thing. They don't make them anymore and that boom will have to be custom made.

Gotta love sailing! lol.

This is my boat and my buddy David and I in front of Angel Island on a calmer day from over the winter. I am the guy drinking beer and not looking where I am going.

 

Very nice looking boat.

 

as an employee of west marine [in monterey] i am sorry to hear that man. that is ruff break. my buddy has a 24 ft catalina [ i think, it may only be 22, may not even be a catalina i cant remember] i think it comes with the slip too

 

Thanks guys.
An employee of West Marine!
I've spent a lot of money at that store - of course.
I wish you guys made booms. heh

 

lol, i dont.
of course you have spent alot of money here. you know what boat stands for, break out another thousand. you every make it down to our little store here in monterey?
you must be rich, a reefer and sailer, two of the most expensie hobbies i know of. besides wiping with 20s

 

I make it to Monterey about once a year these days. Beautiful place.
As I said I am not rich at all. You can make a case for dumb though.

 

hell yeah, well stop in next time you are down in monterey, great diving and they are still letting us catch rock cod yeah

 

Sorry for your loss, I also have a boat and shes my 2nd wife. Actually the 2nd wife is better b/c she lets me ride her all day long without a word.

 

Umm.. no comment.

 

An Erickson 27'! That's a great boat, My dad had one of those growing up, I spent every summer weekend as a kid sailing it to Angel Island from Emeryville. You got a great deal on it. My buddy just bought a 30' Newport up here in Puget Sound for 13k, very similar boats. I'm sorry to hear about the breakdown, isn't there a way to put a new mast/boom system on it?