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Advice on Ericson 28 - looking to take the plunge
- Thread starter berner73
- Start date Aug 21, 2009
- Tags advice ericson plunge
Junior Member
- Aug 21, 2009
Well, here she is: http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...rrency=USD&access=Public&listing_id=1424&url= Hi Everyone, New to this site, but trying to catch up with lots of reading - resulting in some rather bloodshot eyes at work. My wife and I are in the market for a 28' to 30' cruiser to be used mainly for weekend sailing/cruising and maybe an occasional overnight trip. Initially, racing isn't much of a concern. We'll be sailing out of Boston harbor and plan on spending most of our time local to the North Shore coasts and Cape Cod. I've been sailing for about 12 years, but mostly fresh water day sailing (19') with occasional access to a 27' Soling in Boston Harbor. While not biased toward any specific manufacturer, we're looking for quality and value. I'm not concerned at all with 'name brand' recognition at the marina. Due to reputation, we were initially looking at Tartan, Sabre's, Pearson, etc. (and still are). During that search, I came upon this 1986 Ericson 28. I wasn't familiar with the company at first, so I'm glad to have this site as a reference. At the top is the link to all the pictures and specs. I'm planning on taking a look at it over the next 2 weeks and thought I'd solicit observations, opinions or experiences from anyone willing to chime in. I've read hundreds of posts here, which is why this boat is in the running to begin with. Thoughts on durability, quality of workmanship, asking price, and (if it's even possible), a general feel for the amount of work/cost associated with buying a 23 year old Ericson? Do you see anything from the pictures that screams out to you? Gotcha's that maybe only Ericson owners would catch? I'm looking forward to working on what ever boat we end up with, but would like to get on the water too. Thanks, Joe
Attachments
Sustaining Partner
She appears to be in fairly good condition although broker's photos don't usually highlight the bad. Interior woodwork has been neglected but easily fixed. Cabin sole also looks pretty tired. Obviously get a Survey. Peter Hunt is an excellent surveyor and knows Ericsons well. Ericsons are well built quality boats on par with Sabre and a little better fit and finish than Pearson.
Loren Beach
O34 - portland, or.
Ericson 28 As my first and only boat, I purchased my 1988 E28 about 8 years ago. Great boat, solid, easily single handed. The interior, if well maintained, is a head-turner. Since purchase, I've added an autopilot and stereo (my E28 was pre-wired for cabin speakers). I gave up on trying to maintain the original Universal and Hurth transmission, so I repowered with a 2 cylinder Yanmar (good fit), and added a folding prop. The prop makes a significant difference in speed under sail. If you get the boat, be sure to check for the wiring upgrade to the solenoid (addressed elsewhere on this site). Makes a huge difference in reliable starting. To me, the price looks reasonable if she surveys well.
Fellow Ericson owner south of Boston I bought an 1987 E-28 just this June (an upgrade from my 1971 E-27) I am loving it. Good performance, nice handling in 15 - 25 knot winds coming up through Buzzards Bay in July. comfortable and dry. I bought her from the original owner and she was stored in Warren Rhode Island. WHile of course she needs a few upgrades, I will spend the summer and fall making my winter/spring to do list. Keep in mind there is a lack of storage on an E-28 especially when compared to an 30 foot boat but the Ericsons are well made and I expect this is my last boat and my grandkids will be sailing her some time. If I can be of any assistance, contact me on a private e-mail
Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. I have to admit, I didn't expect such quick and participated response. Seems as though this forum adds an intangible value to owning an Ericson and I hope we can find one that fits our situation. Depending on the mood of Hurricane Bill, we have an appointment for an initial inspection/walk through this Sunday afternoon. I'll be sure to update after (and probably have more questions). I came across a couple of initial inspection guides online to supplement the comments from all of you. While it isn't a substitute for a survey in any way, I'm hoping it will allow us to identify any show stoppers. http://www.sailnet.com/forums/boat-review-purchase-forum/48177-boat-inspection-trip-tips.html http://www.sailingmates.com/buying-a-used-sailboat.htm Thanks again, and I'd love to hear more thoughts if they're out there. Joe
Perfect Storm
- Aug 22, 2009
The only thing that bothers me is the price. I bought a 1987 E32 for $19000 earlier this year, be aggressive, the season is over and they need to pay yard bills.
Welcome, hope you stay. I joined a few years ago. Started out looking at Pearson. Spent a week on a friends Ericson 27. Really like the cockpit layout. It took me a month of evening but read every post in the design & function, and Maintenance sections. When we found our present boat, I knew just what to look for and what questions to ask. This forum is a great asset to Ericson, akin to Apple or Harley Davison. My wife refers to it as the brotherhood. Lot of good advice and often lightening fast. ml
- Aug 23, 2009
C Masone said: The only thing that bothers me is the price. I bought a 1987 E32 for $19000 earlier this year, be aggressive, the season is over and they need to pay yard bills. Click to expand...
I don't think it's a rare steal, the price of homes has gone down close to 40% and the price of boats is no different (if not worse), they just keep asking the same on Yachtworld. While I was shopping this year, the three boats I looked at carefully all had stories of owners who lost jobs, were transfered, buisness was down, those three boats sold, all of the other boats I have been tracking, that have higher prices, are still for sale, there is no market right now, it's the Perfect Storm, buyers market, go for it, don't let your emotions get in the way.
jreddington
- Aug 26, 2009
Probably the biggest thing keeping me from getting a bigger Ericson is that my E-28 single hands so well. She's a little "tippy" initially but hardens up nicely between 15 and 20 degrees. It can be a bit disconcerting to a guest but a nice feel once you're moving along. My 1984 does have some more teak up the sides of the bunks and in the head. The amount of plastic inside is a bit disconcerting to me but that's just a style issue. One area to be careful is with the veneer around the main cabin ports. These ports can leak. By the time you notice it, the damage has already begun. Cost me well over $1,000 to have this replaced a few years ago. It did make me think of replacing it with a white laminate instead of wood veneer. It would be less susceptible to water damage and lighten up the cabin. But I went traditional and replaced it with wood veneer. I do think my auxiliary engine is a little underpowered. When you are cruising in the middle of New England's dead still August, it would be nice to get a knot or so more out of the engine. And when you're trying to punch through a hefty chop, the waves seriously knock down your speed and with only 11 hp the boat is slow to reaccelerate.
- Deck and Cockpit layout - overall impressed with the Ericson 28
- Room above board is perfect for us
- Size of the boat is comfortable from a sailing experience and intended use perspective
- Extensive feature list
- New mast and main
- Most of the rigging looks serviceable for a couple of seasons if not longer
- Engine looks to be in better shape than I would have expected (~1100 hours), no visible water in the oil, and appears to have been updated/maintained accordingly
- Deck and Hull appear to be in good shape
- Interior has been neglected - concerns me about how the owners have maintained the rest of the boat
- Damp smells in Cabin
- Cushions must be replaced immediately ($3K - $4K?)
- Water in Anchor Locker - probably just plugged as discussed on this forum
- Some damage to deck and cockpit sole/companionway entrance, but I don't have the knowledge to gauge it's impact (picture)
- Water in compartment below step to Vberth, not sure if this could be a result of anchor locker plug?
- Steering seems to be in good shape except for corrosion on shaft (same for drive shaft). Not sure if this is normal, so please comment (pictures)
- Looks as though there may be a water line/stains on sole and some portions of vertical woodwork and bulkhead. Not present everywhere though (pictures)
- Bilge seemed to have a bit more water than I would have expected. This boat appeared to have 2 pumps in two different sections beneath the sole, is that normal?
I see nothing in those photos that is not in line with a 20+ year old boat. Maybe a little more damage to the bridgedeck than normal but likely just cosmetic. The drive shaft looks fine although the hose clamps should be offset 180°. The water staining around the v-berth could be of concern but again mostly cosmetic. I guarantee that this boat leaks from above as will 99% of the 20+ year old boats on the market. Dampness feeling can be bad or nothing at all. I once checked out an E34 that felt like a rain forest and had water dripping from most of the headliner. This boat was on the hard and covered so that water was coming out of the deck through the headliner. I would very strongly recommend not skipping a survey. What you cannot see can hurt you. You absolutely at a minimum should do moisture tests on the deck and hull. You should also have the hull and deck sounded with a phenolic hammer to check for delamination. You also need to pull the boat to do the survey and then you will be able to check for osmostic blistering which is very common on 80s boats. A thorough inspection of the standing rigging is a must. Some boats have an additional bilge pump for redundancy or it could be for a shower. If you are willing to spend $25k+ for a boat, a survey should be no problem. In fact a survey will often pay for itself by finding things to deduct from the price of the boat. Some things you have not mentioned: - How are the through hulls? Do they have proper seacocks? Are all hoses double clamped with Awab clamps? - How do the spars look? Blistering paint around fittings? - How do the winches look? Do they spin properly with a minimum of play? - How old is the standing rigging? When was last inspection?
Tim, Thank you for the reply. We will absolutely will get a survey on any boat that we have serious interest in, no question. This will include a separate engine survey and pulling the boat for proper inspection. Right now we're just trying to eliminate anything that doesn't even warrant a survey. From my untrained eye: The spars look good I only checked 2 winches - forgot the others - seemed fine The through hulls that I saw were seacocks, but I didn't check clamps - good point I don't have an age on the standing rigging, but I'll see if I can get it. Heading out to see the Cal 28 now, so I appreciate the pointers. Hopefully I'll get better at this inspection thing.
Sorry, misunderstood the survey thing. Here is a good inspection list for qualifying a boat. http://www.anything-sailing.com/showthread.php?p=36318
Why the new mast? Replacing the mast is not routine maintenance on a 20 some year old boat. There is a thread somewhere on here about someone replacing the traveler on an Ericson 28. His boom was bent in two places. I believe he mentioned that there were a couple others in the SF bay where the booms were broken. Is there something about the rig on this boat that places extraordinary strain on the spars?
I don't think the mast should be replaced unless damaged beyond repair. I do think it should be stripped and repainted if it is already painted and blistering badly around fittings.
PDX said: Why the new mast? Replacing the mast is not routine maintenance on a 20 some year old boat. There is a thread somewhere on here about someone replacing the traveler on an Ericson 28. His boom was bent in two places. I believe he mentioned that there were a couple others in the SF bay where the booms were broken. Is there something about the rig on this boat that places extraordinary strain on the spars? Click to expand...
Check deck hardware I have a 1983 E28+ and am very pleased with the boat. It's a great sailing boat and is easy to sail with no or limited crew (all the lines on mine are run back to the cockpit). I have two bilge take-ups in two different bilge compartments on my boat also. One is for the electric pump and the other is for the manual pump. Generally my bilges are very dry. You should open up the zippers in the headliner and check all the through-bolted deck hardware (winches, cams, jib track, cleats, pad eyes, etc) for any signs of leaks or loose fittings. Of course the electrical system should also be thoroughly checked as part of your survey. Also, the general condition of the fuel lines and all other hoses on the engine should be evaluated.
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- Ericson 28+
The Ericson 28+ Sailboat
Designed by Bruce King and built in the USA by Ericson Yachts, the Ericson 28+ is a good performer under sail.
Published Specification for the Ericson 28+
Underwater Profile: Fin keel with spade rudder
Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)
Length Overall: 28' 6" / 8.7m
Waterline Length: 24' 2" / 7.4m
Beam: 10' 6" / 3.20m
Draft: 5' 0" / 1.5m
Rig Type: Fractional Sloop
Displacement: 7,500lb / 3,402kg
Designer: Bruce King
Builder: Ericson Yachts (USA)
Year First Built: 1980
Year Last Built: 1984
Number Built: 90
Published Design Ratios for the Ericson 28+
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.7
- Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
- 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
- Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.
Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.0
- Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
- Over 40: stiffer, more powerful
Displacement/Length Ratio: 237
- Under 100: Ultralight
- 100 to 200: Light
- 200 to 275: Moderate
- 275 to 350: Heavy
- Over 350: Ultraheavy
Comfort Ratio: 19.9
- Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
- 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
- 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
- 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
- Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat
Capsize Screening Formula: 2.2
- Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
- Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages
read more about these all-revealing numbers...
Sailboat-Cruising.com says...
About the boat:.
The Ericson 28+ is relatively stiff and stable, and can handle moderate to strong winds without excessive heeling or weather helm.
The sail area of the Ericson 28+ is 39.2 m² (422 ft²), which gives it a sail area/displacement ratio of 17.6. This means that the boat is moderately powered and can sail well in light to moderate winds. The fractional rig provides for easier sail handling and trimming, especially when sailing upwind. The boat also has a spade rudder, which provides good maneuverability and responsiveness.
The Ericson 28+ has a diesel engine with 11 HP, which can provide adequate power for motoring when there is no wind or when docking or anchoring. The fuel capacity is 95 l (25 gal), which gives the boat a decent range for coastal cruising.
How is the accommodation of the Ericson 28+?
The Ericson 28+ has a spacious and comfortable interior for its size, thanks to its wide beam and clever layout. The boat can accommodate up to six people, although four would be more comfortable for longer trips.
The boat has two dedicated sleeping cabins: a V-berth in the bow, which can sleep two people, and a quarter berth in the aft starboard side, which can sleep one person. The main cabin also has two settees that can be converted into single berths, one on each side of the folding table.
The boat has a galley on the port side, which has a sink, a stove, an icebox, and ample storage space. The boat also has a head on the starboard side, which has a sink, a toilet, and a shower.
The boat has plenty of natural light and ventilation from the large windows and hatches. The boat also has ample headroom of about 1.8 m (6 ft) throughout the cabin.
How does the Ericson 28+ perform under sail?
The Ericson 28+ is a fun and fast sailboat that can handle various sailing conditions with ease. The boat is well-balanced and responsive, and can point well upwind thanks to its fractional rig and fin keel. The boat can also sail well downwind with its large genoa or spinnaker.
The boat is suitable for both inshore and coastal sailing, as well as offshore or ocean voyages, depending on the skill and experience of the crew. The boat has a hull speed of about 7.4 kn (8.5 mph), which means that it can cover good distances in moderate winds. The boat also has a comfortable motion at sea under sail, although it might be lively in rougher seas.
The boat's main weakness is its performance in very light winds, when it might need some help from the engine to keep moving. However, this is not uncommon for most sailboats of this size and type.
About the Designer:
Bruce King was a yacht designer from California who became famous in the early 1960s for his collaboration with Ericson Yachts, for which he designed many production fiberglass racing and cruising yachts. He also designed large custom sailing and motor yachts, using modern technology and composite materials, and was known for his series of successful offshore racing classic maxi yachts¹.
Sailboats designed by Bruce King include:
- Ericson 27 (1971): A 26' 8" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, suitable for coastal cruising.
- Ericson 25+ (1978): A 25' 5" sloop with a shoal draft keel and a centerboard, featuring a pop-top cabin for extra headroom.
- Ericson 35-2 (1969): A 34' 8" sloop with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, one of the most popular models from Ericson Yachts.
- Ericson 32-2 (1969): A 31' 7" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a fast and comfortable cruiser-racer.
- Ericson 23-2 (1975): A 22' 11" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a trailerable pocket cruiser.
- Ericson 23-1 (1969): A 22' 6" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, the first model designed by Bruce King for Ericson Yachts.
- Ericson 38 (1979): A 37' 7" sloop with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a spacious and seaworthy cruiser.
- Ericson 39 (1970): A 39' sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a fast and sleek racer-cruiser.
- Ericson 28+ (1980): A 28' 6" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, an upgraded version of the Ericson 28 with more interior space.
- Ericson 31 Independence (1977): A 31' cutter with a full keel and an attached rudder, a traditional bluewater cruiser.
- Ericson 36C (1975): A 35' 11" cutter with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a performance-oriented cruiser.
- Ericson 37 (1973): A 37' 5" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a powerful and agile racer-cruiser.
- Ericson 41 (1968): A 41' 4" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, an elegant and fast offshore cruiser.
- Zap 26 (1977): A 25' 11" sloop with a lifting keel and twin rudders, a lightweight and fun sportboat.
- Zap 29 (1978): A 29' sloop with a lifting keel and twin rudders, an enlarged version of the Zap 26.
- Tradewinds 55 (1980): A 54' 9" ketch with a long keel and an attached rudder, a luxurious and classic cruiser.
- Islander 37 (1966): A 36' 6" sloop with a long keel and an attached rudder, an early design by Bruce King for Islander Yachts.
- Islander 55 (1968): A 54' 7" ketch with a long keel and an attached rudder, the largest model from Islander Yachts.
- Yachtcraft 37 (1966): A variant of the Islander 37 built by Yachtcraft Marine in Canada.
- Yachtcraft MS (1974): A motorsailer version of the Yachtcraft/Islander 37 with an enclosed pilothouse.
- Cape Bay 31 (1977): A 31' sloop with a long keel and an attached rudder, a traditional and sturdy cruiser.
- Signe (1990): A 35 m schooner with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a classic and elegant yacht built by Renaissance Yachts.
- Hetairos (1993): A 42.9 m ketch with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a stunning and fast yacht built by Abeking & Rasmussen.
- Alejandra (1993): A 41.3 m ketch with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a sister ship of Hetairos built by Royal Huisman.
- Sophie (1994): A 28.8 m sloop with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a graceful and swift yacht built by Renaissance Yachts.
- Antonisa (1999): A 39.6 m sloop with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a refined and elegant yacht built by Hodgdon Yachts.
- Maria Cattiva (2003): A 39.9 m sloop with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a sister ship of Antonisa built by Royal Huisman.
- Whitefin (1983): A 27.4 m schooner with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a beautiful and fast yacht built by Renaissance Yachts.
- Scheherazade (2003): A 47.4 m ketch with a clipper bow and a counter stern, the largest sailing yacht designed by Bruce King, built by Hodgdon Yachts.
This additional info was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material, and believes it to be accurate to the best of their knowledge.
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Ericson 28.2
- Thread starter Carter porter
- Start date Apr 12, 2019
- Brand-Specific Forums
Carter porter
Any reviews on this boat ? Is it stout enough for great lakes sailing ?
Michael Davis
Had a E-28+ . Looks like the same boat on sailboat data .com. I really enjoyed the boat. It's well built. We cruised the B.C. coast as far north as Bella Coola and south to La Conner in Wash. The 5411 is an easy engine to rebuild. Kubota Z-500 for parts.
Thanks, how is the head room ?
Carter porter said: how is the head room ? Click to expand
Hell I might just clear that. Thanks for your time.
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Best Ericson Sailboats: A Complete Guide
Last Updated by
Daniel Wade
December 28, 2023
Sailboats that stand the test of time are often classics and loved by many sailors. One example is looking for the best Ericson sailboats, dating back to 1964.
Ericson had an up and down history but still managed to produce quality boats. So which ones were the best out of their lineup before their demise?
Out of the thousands of sailboats this company put together, there are a handful that stand out. The best Ericson sailboats consisted of the 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36C, E38, and 46 models. Each boat has a unique size and design, making them quite different from other brands at that time.
By 1999, the Ericson brand had been through enough over the years in terms of bankruptcy, ownership changes, and not keeping up with market demand by improving their boats. After poor sales that year, they decided to close shop for good, but still had plenty of produced sailboats to carry on the name.
According to experts in the sailing industry, Ericson sailboats were ahead of their time in the early 1970’s. They were a pioneer in the sailboat realm and built many classics that you can find for an affordable price today.
Table of contents
Top 10 Ericson Sailboats
Through much debate, many sailors argue about which Ericson sailboat is the best. Many will claim a variety of factors influence trying to buy one today, such as price, condition, and size.
Depending on what suits your style of sailing and how you intend to use the boat will likely affect your decision on what is best. For Ericson, there are plenty of sizes and models to choose from.
1. Ericson 26
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-26"}}
The 26 model offered a good size for sailors having a small crew or operating shorthanded with a fractional sloop. This one is just shy of 26 feet long and has about a five-foot draft. These were designed perfectly for day sailing or light cruising.
Bruce King helped develop this one, which turned out to be a stiff and fairly fast boat. Since it has self-tailing winches, and furling headsails, and you can control the mainsheet from the cockpit, it is easy to operate.
2. Ericson 27
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-27"}}
The Ericson 27 debuted in 1971 with a displacement of 6,600 pounds and plenty of stability in the masthead sloop. The boat is roughly 27 feet long and sits about four feet in the water.
Many love this design since it navigated through choppy waters and responded to wind changes well. In addition, it can also sleep five comfortably.
There is enough sailing area to handle just about any condition and it is great for coastal cruising. If you have difficulty finding a crew or only want to be by yourself, this one makes it easy to handle all alone.
3. Ericson 29
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-29"}}
Another masthead sloop rig type, the Ericson 29 is about 29 feet long with a draft of 4.33 feet. This one reached popularity among those that wanted to enjoy cruising and doing it at night.
There are sleeping accommodations for up to five people and plenty of room to move around. This design was similar to other popular models they produced, but not as easy to operate by yourself like the other shorter models.
4. Ericson 30
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-30"}}
The Ericson 30 has an appeal like no other model in their lineup. They tweaked this design for about 10 years, making it one of the longer models they have played with.
It is nearly 30 feet long, has a fractional sloop, and sits nearly six feet in the water. It offers plenty of room to sleep five people and live aboard.
This is a great size to live on and learn about your boat without being too overwhelmed if you are new to that lifestyle. This one has become popular with sailors wanting to try that out.
5. Ericson 32
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-32"}}
There were multiple designs of the Ericson 32 , with two of the most popular ones being designed by Bruce King in 1969 and 1985. The one in 1969 had a lot more problems, but they are both classics at 32 feet in length and a six-foot draft.
The later model was built for four years and they produced 700 of them. You will likely see many Ericson 32s with another number associated with it due to different features like the keel type or the optional tail rig.
Both the older and newer models of the 32s are attractive boats. If you are wanting the better of the two in terms of look, handle, and speed, you cannot go wrong with the latter model.
6. Ericson 34
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-34"}}
The 34 footer installment was a good design with high-quality construction. This masthead sloop was nearly 35 feet and just over six feet of draft.
Depending on the year these were built, the exterior did not change that much in comparison to the interior. Out of all the boats that Ericson produced, they were most proud of the molding structure they used on this one.
The deck used a balsa core and had a plywood backing under the deck fittings to offer extra support. With the fiberglass hull, it provided one of the sturdiest options without compromising performance.
7. Ericson 35
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-35"}}
The Ericson 35 was similar to the 34, with some slight differences. This one is nearly 36 feet and sits around 6.17 feet in the water.
This one was a good cruiser, with some models meant for casual sailing. It handled offshore sailing very well and had the classic look.
The interior made this boat easy to live on and accommodate over five people. Whether you are racing or living on it, this boat could do it all.
8. Ericson 36C
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-36c"}}
The 36C was another beauty offered by Ericson, coming in at 36 feet and a five foot draft. This cutter rig is a great size, but you can still operate shorthanded if you do not have enough people on board.
This boat can do it all with coastal cruising, day sailing, and living full time on it. With its fiberglass hull, it is one of the lighter boats for its size. You could even race this if you wanted.
9. Ericson E38
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-e38"}}
If you are looking for a larger Ericson boat, you cannot go wrong with the E38 . At nearly 38 feet long and 6.5 feet in the water, it offers the best of both worlds for living space and is easy to handle.
With the masthead sloop, you can expect top performance while cruising. This is another quality build that you can live aboard too.
10. Ericson 46
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-46"}}
The largest boat that Ericson put together was the 46 , coming in just shy of 46 feet and about a seven-foot draft. With another masthead sloop design, you can rest assured the performance will be there.
There were actually two versions, one that is a racer and one that is a cruiser. Over a three-year period, only 20 of these were built. Depending on which one you find, there will be slight adjustments to the performance package.
Why Erickson Boats Are Popular
A lot of nautical miles have been made on Ericson boats over the years and for a good reason. They were quality boats that had a classic look, easy to handle, and were affordable.
Back in 1965, these were primarily cruising sailboats that later adapted to a hybrid of a family-oriented cruiser. Other models specifically included fin keels, excellent bustle, and spade rudders for better performance.
You will definitely find better modern boats that have more luxury, speed, and performance compared to something that was built in the 60s to the 80s. But for the price and nostalgia, it is hard to pass up a classic like Ericson.
What to Look for in Used Ericson Boats
As with any used boat, you need to thoroughly inspect it before trying to purchase one. This means going over the sails, mast, deck, engines, and anything else that catches your eye.
Potential Cracking
There have been some reports of very early models having cracks in the deck or mast. It is hard to blame them, since many boat designs have come a long way from over 40 years of being in the water. While very few have those reports, it is worth having it inspected by a professional before buying one.
Be Happy to Walk Away
Before committing to one, make sure that you know all of the histories before buying one. This will help you tremendously before you fall in love with its beauty.
Walking away and thinking it over for a few days can greatly help your buying process. You never know how urgent a seller might be, so you might end up getting a better deal on the price if you do decide to buy it after walking away.
Why an Ericson Sailboat Could Work for You
Ericson sailboats were unique luxury yachts that were built for speed. In addition, they had enough luxury on the inside that you could spend days or live on them for a period of time.
You typically can find one for a good price, which is why they are popular compared to other boats. With similar comparisons to other top-of-the-line sailboats, they make for a competitive option.
Luxury and Price
For those that want to buy an Ericson, they are all about luxury and performance for a good price . Since most models are over 40 years old, they are reasonably priced.
Depending on the size and model, almost all of the Ericson sailboats can be found within any budget. If you have experience fixing up boats, an Ericson can be worth its weight in gold.
Living Space
Customers that typically want an Ericson enjoy the amount of living space that it offers. On top of that, it provides the speed of comparable racers or cruisers that you will find today.
If you want a boat that allows you to live on to your own standards or race as you like, Ericson boats are the way to go. They offer the perfect blend of performance and comfort.
Stiff Builds
Ericson sailboats were strongly built and have a stiff feel to them. If a stiff boat is something you are after, the Ericson models are a good fit.
This means they have a different feel when sailing. If you were to buy one, it might take some getting used to if you have only handled newer boats.
Since Ericson boats have limited builds for each year that they were produced, you likely will not see them that often. They offer a nostalgic and classic look that only a few boats provide.
This creates a sense of urgency when buying. It is important to proceed with caution and check out the boat properly before you decide to jump on one.
The Rise and Fall of Ericson
Ericson was founded in 1963 and had a few molds to base designs of boats on to get started. After about a year and a half of poor production, they filed for bankruptcy since they were not hitting the mark with customers on their designs.
They were purchased in 1965 by Mark Pitman and Del Walton, who also hired Bruce King to begin designing their lineups. King is responsible for many of the best boats offered by Ericson, who even fine tuned some of his own creations a few years later.
Later in 1968, Pacific American Industries bought out Ericson and continued to produce similar models. CML group later purchased the brand and operated from 1971 to 1984.
Pacific Seacraft later bought the molds for various models, like Ericson 34 and 38 to move on with production. The brand continued to move forward with the same old designs without many changes.
Since the brand never pushed to market its products and management was lazy in trying to think of what the market wanted, sales dipped in the late 1990s. They never went boating shows or much of anything to promote their lineup. This caused Ericson to shut down for good.
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Review of Ericson 28 Mk II
Basic specs..
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all.
The boat is equipped with 95.0 liter fresh water capacity.
The boat equipped with a fractional rig. A fractional rig has smaller headsails which make tacking easier, which is an advantage for cruisers and racers, of course. The downside is that having the wind from behind often requires a genaker or a spinnaker for optimal speed.
The Ericson 28 Mk II is equipped with a fin keel. A boat with a fin keel is more manoeuvrable but has less directional stability than a similar boat with a full keel.
The boat can enter most marinas as the draft is just about 1.68 - 1.78 meter (5.51 - 5.81 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.
Ericson 28 Mk II is typically equipped with an inboard Universal diesel engine
The fuel tank has a capacity of 57.0 liters (15 US gallons, 12 imperial gallons).
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?
The capsize screening value for Ericson 28 Mk II is 2.04, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.5 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Ericson 28 Mk II is about 145 kg/cm, alternatively 813 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 145 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 813 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
What is a Ballast Ratio?
What is Displacement Length Ratio?
What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?
Maintenance
When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 25m 2 (269 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.
Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
| Usage | Length | Diameter | ||
| Mainsail halyard | 28.4 m | (93.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Jib/genoa halyard | 28.4 m | (93.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Spinnaker halyard | 28.4 m | (93.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Jib sheet | 8.5 m | (28.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Genoa sheet | 8.5 m | (28.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Mainsheet | 21.3 m | (70.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Spinnaker sheet | 18.8 m | (61.6 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Cunningham | 3.4 m | (11.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Kickingstrap | 6.7 m | (22.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Clew-outhaul | 6.7 m | (22.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.
We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Ericson 28 Mk II it would be a great help.
If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.
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COMMENTS
B. BoatWulf Discussion starter. 70 posts · Joined 2020. #1 · Mar 15, 2020. So I'm looking at an Ericson 28 that's available through a private party. It's fairly cheap, (under $7,000) but that can be a good thing or a bad thing. My current boat is a 22' swing keel. I'm looking for an upgrade that can last for a few years before we go bigger.
Aug 26, 2009. #13. Looked at the 28 Ericson - inspection results w/ pictures. Got to look at her last night, mixed opinions on the boat, but the broker is fantastic, very helpful and knowledgeable. Here are some observations followed by some pictures. This is the first 28' we've looked at from a purchasing perspective.
F. FrankLanger. 288 posts · Joined 2005. #2 · Sep 23, 2006. You might get a good response if you post this on the Ericson owners website (a search will find it for you). Lots of helpful folk there who can provide good information for you. I don't know much about the 28, but I own an Ericson 30+, and love it. A well-built boat that sails ...
A boat said to be "tender" is one that tends to heel easily (ie lean over in a lightish breeze) Some such boats heel easily initially but tend to 'firm up' as their ballast comes into play. Whether the E28 is, in fact, a 'tender' boat I couldn't say. A tender boat can be manageable, you simply need to reef a bit earlier perhaps than someone else.
It takes into consideration "reported" sail area, displacement and length at waterline. The higher the number the faster speed prediction for the boat. A cat with a number 0.6 is likely to sail 6kts in 10kts wind, a cat with a number of 0.7 is likely to sail at 7kts in 10kts wind. KSP = (Lwl*SA÷D)^0.5*0.5
337. Ericson 28 Noank, Ct. Nov 22, 2009. #13. Absolutly getting a pro survey. I've seen some walk away boats. This one deserved a through look and I did one. Once I'm satisfied that it deserves a pro surveyor I'll contract one. This boat, I believe is a "diamond in the rough".
The Ericson 28+ is relatively stiff and stable, and can handle moderate to strong winds without excessive heeling or weather helm. The sail area of the Ericson 28+ is 39.2 m² (422 ft²), which gives it a sail area/displacement ratio of 17.6. This means that the boat is moderately powered and can sail well in light to moderate winds.
Apr 12, 2019. #2. Had a E-28+ . Looks like the same boat on sailboat data .com. I really enjoyed the boat. It's well built. We cruised the B.C. coast as far north as Bella Coola and south to La Conner in Wash. The 5411 is an easy engine to rebuild. Kubota Z-500 for parts.
If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of ERICSON 28+. Built by Ericson Yachts (USA) and designed by Bruce King, the boat was first built in 1980. It has a hull type of Fin w/spade rudder and LOA is 8.69. Its sail area/displacement ratio 17.68.
The Ericson 28+ has been built with more than one type of keel. One option is a finn keel. A boat with a fin keel is more manoeuvrable but has less directional stability than a similar boat with a long keel. The boat can enter most marinas as the draft is just about 1.52 - 1.62 meter (4.99 - 5.29 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.
2. Ericson 27. r32_damax. The Ericson 27 debuted in 1971 with a displacement of 6,600 pounds and plenty of stability in the masthead sloop. The boat is roughly 27 feet long and sits about four feet in the water. Many love this design since it navigated through choppy waters and responded to wind changes well.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Ericson 28 Mk II is about 145 kg/cm, alternatively 813 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 145 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 813 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Boat Review Forum. SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, ... I do own an Ericson 28 (1988) version and have found the make to be of solid build quality.
There is a 1978 Islander 28 and a 1973 ericson 29. I am hoping to do a few days of sailing building to longer sails. They are same price and will have other more knowledgeable and experienced sailors look at them before I purchase, but for now just looking for opinions. thanks for your time.
I'm looking at a 1986 Ericson 28-2 but not finding much on line in the way of reviews or boats listed for comparison. I know Ericson has a good reputation overall. Any past or present E28-2 owners in this sub that wouldn't mid sharing the pro's and cons of this boat? Many thanks!
Ericson 28-2 is a 27′ 11″ / 8.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts starting in 1986. ... Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay). D: ...
Sailboat Reviews; Subscriber Only; Ericson 41 Used Boat Review. The Ericson 41 is a solidly built coastal cruiser that can go offshore as well. If you're into stylish lines and warm wood interiors, this is a fiberglass-hulled option that sets you apart from the production boat pack. By. Bert Vermeer - August 26, 2024. 0. Facebook.
Boat Review Forum. Thoughts on the Ericson 28. Jump to Latest SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, ...
Sailboat Reviews; Sailboats 21-30ft; Ericson 25 Remarkably roomy for such a small boat, the 25 is well finishedand offers enough performance for racing. By. Darrell Nicholson - ... The Ericson 25+, 28+, and 30+ all feature Bruce King's trademark, the "delta" fin keel. King states that this keel form has very low induced drag, and the 25 ...
Ericson 28+ is a 28′ 6″ / 8.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts between 1980 and 1984. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds. LWL ...
#sailing #boatbuying #sailorslife #sailors #mainecoast #ericson28 Join our crew! We'd appreciate the support: https://www.patreon.com/boatfoolssailingThe Swe...