ericson 32 sailboat review

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Ericson 32-3

• By Richard Smith
• Updated: May 31, 2012

Bruce King’s considerable experience designing sailboats in the 30-foot range shows through in the sailing qualities, accommodations, and construction of the Ericson 32-3.

The 32-3 was introduced in 1985, and at least 69 were built, some of them at Pacific Seacraft after the demise of Ericson Yachts in 1990. It shares a family resemblance with other Ericson cruiser/racers designed by King and extended the company’s reputation for building attractive, practical boats with good sailing manners.

A keel-stepped, black, anodized mast, tapered at the top to reduce weight and windage, supports the double-spreader masthead rig. The 207-square-foot mainsail drives the boat well in both cruising and racing modes. The boat is well balanced and sails both on and off the wind smartly under headsail only, making it easy to singlehand, especially with roller furling.

The large cockpit has a curved helmsman’s perch, which compensates for varying degrees of heel, and comfortably angled seatbacks for the crew. A boarding ladder is built into the stern pulpit. Copious storage is to be had under the starboard seat and in a lazarette. Hardware is more than adequate and includes Lewmar deck hatches, an acrylic companionway sliding hatch, stainless-steel guard rails at the mast, and four 10-inch aluminum mooring cleats.

The construction of the Ericson 32-3 is robust. The hull is hand-laid fiberglass and polyester resin, and the deck is fiberglass cored with end-grain balsa. A one-piece structural inner liner of hand-laminated fiberglass incorporates floors and stringers, adding strength to the hull and distributing concentrated loads from the engine, mast, and standing rigging.

Below, the first impression is one of quality and refinement highlighted by expansive use of teak. The sole is teak and holly. The U-shaped galley is located to starboard of the companionway ladder. Opposite is a forward-facing nav table; its seat is the head of the quarter berth.

In the saloon, which has 6 feet 2 inches of headroom, a teak table surrounded by large wraparound seats folds down to form a double berth. A long settee to starboard makes it a very social space.

The V-berth in the forward cabin is as wide at the head as it is long—6 feet 6 inches—and contains lots of storage space under hatches and in drawers. The head is aft of this cabin to port and contains the toilet, a sink, storage, and a shower.

Removing the companionway ladder provides excellent access to the engine. Original equipment was a 21-horsepower Universal diesel, which delivers a cruising speed of a little over 6 knots while burning about half a gallon of fuel per hour. The boat is unusually quiet under power.

While the usual caveats apply regarding leaks around deck fittings, water penetrating the core material, and so forth, it’s difficult to fault this boat as cruiser or racer. One owner noted that the rudderstock stuffing box is difficult to service and that the original white paint coating the hull interior has an annoying tendency to flake off.

Having owned several Ericsons, I think the 32-3 meets or exceeds the highest standards of construction, predictable handling, and sensible layouts with which Ericson established its reputation. It ghosts along nicely in light breezes and, handled well and with prudent reefing, will stand up to heavy weather. It’s comfortable to live aboard, weatherly, and forgiving in a jam. Used boats are listed from $22,000 to $45,000.

Ericson 32-3 LOA 32′ 6″ (9.91 m.) LWL 25′ 10″ (7.87 m.) Beam 10′ 10″ (3.30 m.) Draft (standard) 6′ 0″ (1.83 m.) (shoal) 4′ 4″ (1.32 m.) Sail Area (100%) 497 sq. ft. (46.2 sq. m.) Ballast 4,200 lb. (1,905 kg.) Displacement 9,800 lb. (4,444 kg.) Ballast/D .43 D/L 254 SA/D 17.4 Water 33 gal. (125 l.) Fuel 22 gal. (83 l.) Engine 21-hp. Universal diesel Designer Bruce King

Richard Smith and his wife, Beth, sail their Ericson Cruising 31, Kuma , in the Pacific Northwest.

• More: 31 - 40 ft , before 2000 , Coastal Cruising , ericson , fiberglass , keelboat , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats , sailboats classic plastic
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Review of Ericson 32

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 equipped with a masthead rig. The advantage of a masthead rig is its simplicity and the fact that a given sail area - compared with a fractional rig - can be carried lower and thus with less heeling moment.

The Ericson 32 has been built with different keel alternatives.

Unknown keel type

The boat can enter most marinas as the draft is just about 1.50 - 1.60 meter (4.92 - 5.22 ft) dependent on the load.

The Ericson 32 is equipped with a long keel. A full keel provide a better directional stability than a similar boat with a fin keel; on the other hand, better directional stability means also that the boat is more difficult to handle in a harbour with less space.

The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 1.37 - 1.47 meter (4.49 - 4.79 ft) dependent on the load.

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.

Sorry, we have no sailing characteristics available for this boat.

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 L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is a Ballast Ratio?

What is Relative Speed Performance?

Maintenance

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.

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 32 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.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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• General Ericson Forums
• For Sale & Wanted

Ericson 32-200, What to Look For

• Thread starter Horace74
• Start date Apr 19, 2022
• Apr 19, 2022

We currently sail a San Juan 28 and we are looking to move up to an Ericson 32-200. The San Juan was our first boat purchase 4 years ago and we absolutely love the way the boat sails but we are now looking for a bit more space. We think going up to a 32 foot boat would give us the space we need and an Ericson will give us the performance we crave. For the Ericson 32-200 owners on this forum, what are some things we need to look out for when looking at these boats for purchase?  

Christian Williams

E381 - los angeles, ericson 32 1986 preflight checklist for buying.

Christian Williams said: Most of what is reported about all mid-80s Ericsons applies to the 32-200. That model is the same hull and rig as the contemporaneous Ericson 32-3, but the head is moved aft and interior revised accordingly. Chief 80s characteristic is Tri-Axial Force Grib (TAFG) construction. Note that Ericson 32s built prior to the '80s are quite a different design. Try this for starters: Ericson 32 1986 preflight checklist for buying? Hi all, I've searched through the forum and have found a wealth of information corresponding to the the various issues associated with Ericsons, and older sailboats in general. However, I'm a newbie to boats larger than 13ft, I've spent most of my time over the past few years capsizing Lasers... ericsonyachts.org Click to expand...

goldenstate

Sustaining member.

I have written a good deal about my novice refit of my 32-200 for the past 2 years here on the forum and at www.sailboatrefit.com . The Don Casey book "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" is a good general reference. Design-wise, I would offer that in the 32-200 there is very little space between the propeller stuffing box and the coupling, which makes changing the packing material "joyful." Take a look at the stuffing box or shaft seal. The aftmost trapezoidal windows in the main salon experience some flexing (I think) and are located at a point of curvature and therefore are prone to leaking. The 32-200 has a longer waterline and larger rudder than the 32-3 and the deck molds were updated and improved with better winch mount locations and some subtleties with how the anchor locker lid closes. The 32-3 and 200 are otherwise very close siblings. Of all the generations of Ericson 32's the layout of the 200 is closest to what one would expect from modern designs with the aft double cabin and head. I don't want to come out and say it's the best sailboat that Ericson ever made, but one could be forgiven for coming to that conclusion.  

We purchased our 1990 32-200 last May. I think what I've had to update and replace maybe of help. The Head and holding tank system is strange and was factory designed. I replaced the whale pump for discharge with a marcerator and replumbed the system. The packing gland and batteries are under the aft bunk, not easy to access. Besure both are in good condition. Our refrigeration caused condensation to build up in the chart table. I insulated the top and sealed the area better. Of course the running, standing rigging is very important along with the steering system. We also had to take the bottom all the way back to the glass, removing most likely 30 years of bulid up. The mast didn't have a weep hole and held water. Be sure to inspect the mast step for corrosion and for drainage. The boat is a little different than the 32-3 the water line is 6 inches longer due to the aft cabin interferring with the steering system. They rised the aft section of the cockpit and moved the rudder further aft. This lengthen the waterline. I found the article explaining these features and others at Boats.com. The article is titled "Out of Thin Air" by Chris Caswell. Get ready to nicest sailing boat out there! Enjoy! Joe  

Contributing Partner

Loren Beach

O34 - portland, or.

Horace74 said: We currently sail a San Juan 28 and we are looking to move up to an Ericson 32-200. The San Juan was our first boat purchase 4 years ago and we absolutely love the way the boat sails but we are now looking for a bit more space. We think going up to a 32 foot boat would give us the space we need and an Ericson will give us the performance we crave. For the Ericson 32-200 owners on this forum, what are some things we need to look out for when looking at these boats for purchase? Click to expand...

E32-200 Owner's Manual

goldenstate said: I have written a good deal about my novice refit of my 32-200 for the past 2 years here on the forum and at www.sailboatrefit.com . The Don Casey book "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" is a good general reference. Design-wise, I would offer that in the 32-200 there is very little space between the propeller stuffing box and the coupling, which makes changing the packing material "joyful." Take a look at the stuffing box or shaft seal. The aftmost trapezoidal windows in the main salon experience some flexing (I think) and are located at a point of curvature and therefore are prone to leaking. The 32-200 has a longer waterline and larger rudder than the 32-3 and the deck molds were updated and improved with better winch mount locations and some subtleties with how the anchor locker lid closes. The 32-3 and 200 are otherwise very close siblings. Of all the generations of Ericson 32's the layout of the 200 is closest to what one would expect from modern designs with the aft double cabin and head. I don't want to come out and say it's the best sailboat that Ericson ever made, but one could be forgiven for coming to that conclusion. Click to expand...

Horace74 said: How was the condition of the boat when you purchased it? Click to expand...

How I bought my used cruising sailboat

• Apr 20, 2022

goldenstate said: I bought the nicest boat I could find and have never regretted it. Click to expand...

• Apr 28, 2022

I have a beautiful 32-200 that’s about to have her standing rigging replaced. She’s for sale if the price is right. Mr Hainey  

Hi Mr. Hainey. I think I sent you an e-mail yesterday through Sailnet. Is this the boat with the 16,000 BTU AC?  

It sure could be. I haven’t received any messages through there. Please send me a PM here if you would like to chat.  

I had a conversation earlier this week with the guy who sold me my San Juan 28 who now sails and Ericson 35-3 and I told him my next boat would probably be an Ericson 32-200. It's plenty of room for my wife and I and it's perfect for our sailing needs (day sailing with overnight and weekends twice a month). He suggested I look at the 35's because it would be hard to fit AC on a 32 as we are in the Mid Atlantic and it gets hot as hell in the summer. I mentioned that I had seen some 32's listed with AC but I wasn't sure. I am not in the market this season but probably next season which is why I am doing my research now and I sent you that message yesterday inquiring about the difficulty in fitting AC on the 32. I was also looking at Cal-33's and Ericson 34-200's but I think I have settled in or the 32-200 as my favorite so far.  

We have a window unit on our boat now and it's kind of a pain in the ass to haul around and step over going in and out of the companion way. We would prefer something out of the way. In fact, we would like to be able to fit a small generator on board but that may be a pipe dream on a 32 foot boat. Pacific Seacraft continued to make the 32-200's under their own brand and called it the PS 32-333 but those boats seem to be pretty rare. We will see what's out there at the end of this season then take it from there.  

i put ours in the hanging locker in the aft cabin. 16,000 BTU Mermaid. You can hang meat in July in our boat …lol  

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Ericson 34-2 Finds Sweet Spot

This racer-cruiser balances comfort with performance and speed..

To begin with, let’s make clear which Ericson 34 we’re reviewing about here because Ericson Yachts has a handful of boats in the 35-foot range. Back in 1967, the first Ericson 35 was a typical Cruising Club of America cruising boat, with a long keel and attached rudder. In 1978, an IOR-inspired Ericson 34 was introduced along with the 34T (same hull with a different deck). The boat we are describing here was built by Ericson and then by Pacific Seacraft, post 1991, where it evolved into the new Ericson 35.

Designed by Bruce King, the Ericson 34-2 reviewed here, was conceived as an up-to-date racer/cruiser that combined sensible proportions—no IOR bulges—with accommodations to meet the needs of a cruising family.

But let’s make clear which Ericson 34 we’re talking about, because Ericson Yachts has a handful of boats in the 35-foot range. Back in 1967, the first Ericson 35 was a typical Cruising Club of America cruising boat, with a long keel and attached rudder. In 1978, an IOR-inspired Ericson 34 was introduced along with the 34T (same hull with a different deck). The boat we are describing in this article was built by Ericson and then, post-1991, by Pacific Seacraft, where it evolved into the new Ericson 35.

With healthy sail-area displacement and ballast ratios, a moderate fin keel, and a semi-balanced shallow spade rudder, it is an able PHRF performer. And with a fiberglassed hull-to deck joint, keel-stepped mast, and lead ballast keel, it is built to take the knocks of cruising.

For a taste of what it looks like to ocean sail and Ericson (albeit the larger 38), you’ll enjoy Christian Williams YouTube videos, like the one of his race to Hawaii ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5m9yT06Khg ).

The Ericson 34’s cockpit and deck layout is a good example of what you should expect of a sensible crossover racer-cruiser from the late 80s. You’ll see similar elements in the Sabres, C&Cs, Tartans and other performance cruisers from this epoch.

The T-shaped cockpit with just enough room for the helmsman to squeeze past the standard 36-inch wheel to move forward. The raised cambered seat with gull-wing hatches offers an excellent view  ahead and provides a extra vertical space in the lazarette.

The cabin-top mounted traveler means a single-handed sailor is out of reach of the mainsheet and traveler, but this can be remedied with minor modifications. A mid-boom sheeting arrangement can make the boom-end more vulnerable when the boat rolls in a seaway. But the boom is relatively high above the deck, so conservative sailing in a beam sea will guard against any trouble.

The double-spreader rig and high-aspect sail plan, combined with inboard shrouds and an inboard genoa tracks, allow for tight sheeting angles, and will permit a boat with a good set of sails to easily tack through 90 degrees in a moderate breeze.

Outboard tracks mounted on the toerail permit more open sheeting for off the wind. The wide side decks, allowing easy passage fore and aft outside the shrouds, are about as good as we’ve seen in a monohull of these dimensions.

The hardware aboard the boat we sailed was a step above the standard equipment listed in the original Ericson brochure. The original specs called for smaller standard Barient winches, with only one set of genoa winches (Barient 27s). By comparison, our test boat was loaded for bear. Lewmar 52s were mounted aft on either side of the cockpit coaming next to the helmsman with a matching pair of Lewmar 43s in front of these.

A pair of self-tailing Lewmar 30s was to starboard of the companionway dedicated to halyards, reefing lines, traveler, and the mainsheet. Another ST30 and a standard Lewmar 24 on the opposite side of the companionway handled vang, reefing tack line, the other side of the traveler line, and jib halyard. The boat also featured a rigid boom vang that provided good control of mainsail leech twist, as well as supported the boom when the topping lift was slack.

Jib furling lines as well as the genoa sheet was within arms reach of the helm. A simple lazy-jack system made setting and dousing the main a breeze.

Although we’re not big fans of mid-boom sheeting for cruising, keeping the cockpit clear of a traveler track in this case seemed worth the trade-off. One of the biggest advantages of this sail plan from a cruising perspective was the room it allowed for a tall bimini top over the helmsman.

The 34-2s built by Ericson came with a Universal MD 25, rated at 21-horsepower at 3,200 RPMs. Like others built by Pacific Seacraft, our test boat came equipped with a Volvo MD-2030 developing 28 horsepower at 3,200 RPM.

With the added power comes some extra expenses for parts and service. Volvo parts for this engine can be three or even four times as expensive as those for Universal.

One of the known trouble spots on these engine is the fuel governor, which has some small springs and other components that can break and the engine will refuse to start. These should be in your engine spare kit if you are cruising.

Despite being relatively narrow compared to some of todays 34-footers, the Ericson 34-2 has a reasonably roomy, well-thought-out interior. A real teak-and-holly sole with ample teak throughout give it the appearance of a Maine-built boat, and all of the fittings and hardware are above average in fit and finish. Although our inspection saw no signs of leaks, some owners have complained about leaky portlights and A soft cabin sole near the mast step.

Starting forward, the conventional V-berth features storage shelves over, drawers and bins below. There are also twin hanging lockers on either side. An optional 25-gallon water tank fits under this berth to supplement the port and starboard tanks (20 gallons each).

The keel-stepped mast dominates the main saloon. A fold-down centerline table surrounds it. To port is an L-shaped setee that converts to a double berth. To starboard is long settee, perfect for naps. Plenty of locker storage and an ample shelf lies above each settee.

The L-shaped galley has a double sink, top loading fridge. The tight counterspace is remedied partly by a fold-out extension. Because the galley serves as a passage to the aft cabin, the cooks domain can become a traffic lane if guests are aboard.

Opposite the galley is a forward-facing navigation station that is large enough for chart navigation, as well as space for mounting common electronics, like a navigation data repeater, autopilot control, 8-inch multifunction display, or radar.

Just aft of the nav station is the head and shower. Both are accessible from the main cabin. Although some would see this location to be less desirable than an en suite forward head, it makes good sense on a cruising boat. Aside from being convenient to anyone on deck, the aft head also serves as place to hang wet foul weather gear where it is quickly accessible.

Behind the galley is a double quarter berth with drawers and a small hanging locker and a pair of opening portlights to provide ventilation. While the berth will be stuffy in the tropics, it has enough ventilation that it will be quite comfortable in cooler regions, It also gives kids, or parents, their own berth.

We suspect that the full-time cruiser inevitably will convert this into storage for big toys, dive gear, folding bicycles, etc.-the danger is gathering so many bulky items that you won’t have room for guests.

PERFORMANCE

Our afternoon sail on Lake Michigan in winds ranging from 12-15 knots with higher gusts was one of the better ones we had all year. Even in the moderate breeze, we tucked a reef in the mainsail and rolled up a portion of the 130 jib, down to about a 110. The main reason for the reefs was to accommodate the stronger gusts without fuss. Many of the readers of our surveys described the boat as tender compared to other boats.

While Ericson will heel sooner than beamier boats. Its proclivity to heel is more a function of its sporty, high-aspect sail plan. The heel never got beyond about 15 degrees all day, and locked in solidly at about 12 degrees.

The boat backs smartly under power, tacks on a dime and was exceptionally well balanced. Although one or two of our survey respondents mentioned weather helm, we suspect they may have been carrying a full mainsail in gusty conditions similar to ours.

In our case, each time a gust came off the tall buildings downtown, the Ericson responded quickly with only a modest amount of heel that quickly translated into a surge in speed.

The fact that we were able to hold 6.8 knots on every point of sail between 60 and 130 degrees apparent wind, suggests we had a good sail plan for reaching in those conditions.

Theoretical hull speed is 7.2 knots, and we think the boat will surf at higher speeds off the wind. Its more seakindly underbody tracks well during dinghy-like surges off the wind.

All of this is to say that even if you don’t live in a windy city, the Ericson 34 will still offer an enjoyable sail in lighter winds, and will be a bunch of fun when you bring an asymmetrical or spinnaker into the mix.

The Ericson 34 finds a comfortable middle ground between racer and cruiser about as well as any boat in this size and price range. In terms of value, it can be compared with Cals, Pearsons, Tartans, Sabres, C&Cs, and J-Boats of this era.

The Ericson 34 is a responsive boat that is both fun to sail, competitive as PHRF racer (rating range is about 125 handicap), and sensibly designed for coastal cruising, if not for more longer-term liveaboard adventures. It has the stability, construction standards we would expect in an offshore boat, and several of these boats have crossed oceans-proving their mettle in the Atlantic and Pacific.

At this stage, a boat of this vintage and design should be priced in the $25- to $35-thousand dollar range, which seems like a relatively pain free way to get out on the water. If you spot one on the used market, it’s certainly worth a look.

The Pacific Seacraft’s focus on sound joinery, fit, and finish is evident the Ericson 34.

1. The galley becomes a thoroughfare to the aft cabin and the compressed natural gas (CNG) stove is safer than propane, but is more difficult to find. 2. The main saloon is well lit thanks to ample portlights and a larger overhead hatch. The mast dominates the center of the boat, a handy, though intrusive brace. 3. The aft berth is actually wide enough to sleep two people. 4. The aft facing nav station allows the navigator to easily communicate with the person on deck. 5. Engine access to the Volvo 2030 is better than most.

• Ericson Owners Association

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Is the keel bolt I or encapsulated?

The Keel is bolted on with 10 1″ Bolts and 1 3/4″ bolt on the trailing edge of the keel.

Wow You are very thorough And I like that keep doing boats ✅

Just purchased 1989 Ericson 34-2 replacing 84 Catalina 30 and article matches mine to a “T”. Going on hard next week for below water minor repairs and bottom job so only one sail (pre buy sea trial) but was impressed with virtually all the sea kindliness. Mine is fin keel 5-2″ draft which concerns me a bit (have always had shoal drafts in earlier boats) to go anywhere in Galveston bay. Thanks for the robust and thorough coverage of this boat and it makes me feel so much smarter about my purchase LoL. Audacity to call myself: Sailor Dave

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Ericson 32-200

Ericson 32-200 is a 32 ′ 6 ″ / 9.9 m monohull sailboat designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts starting in 1988.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : 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 : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. 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.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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Advice: Looking to buy Ericson 32 (1973)

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Hellow everyone. First of all, I would just like to say thank you to all. I have been reading Sailnet for sometime and have learned a great deal. I have been sailing on and off for over ten year and even sailed to Tahiti, but still consider myself to be a novice at best to so many members here at Sailnet. I am going through my true first purchasing experience and would like to ask some opinion about a boat that I am looking at the moment. May I please receive advice about 32' Ericson 1973 ? Thank you in advance for your time and advice. Seamedic  

Welcome to Sailnet... It's a pretty nice boat—most Ericsons were fairly well built boats... but you'd get better advice if you said what kind of sailing you plan on doing with the boat, how many people will typically be aboard, and what kind of other advice you're looking for. I'd also highly recommend you read the POST in my signature.  

Hey Seamedic, I remember looking at one a few years back in Michigan...boat was beautiful, beamy and a well laid out interior. I think I passed on the deal because she had a gas engine, but I'm not certain on that. Like Sailingdog said, you'll get better help if you say what type of sailing you'll be doing.  

Seamedic said: Hellow everyone. First of all, I would just like to say thank you to all. I have been reading Sailnet for sometime and have learned a great deal. I have been sailing on and off for over ten year and even sailed to Tahiti, but still consider myself to be a novice at best to so many members here at Sailnet. I am going through my true first purchasing experience and would like to ask some opinion about a boat that I am looking at the moment. May I please receive advice about 32' Ericson 1973 ? Thank you in advance for your time and advice. Seamedic Click to expand...

I've always thought the smaller Ericsons were very pretty, and well designed family cruisers suitable for most recreational uses rather than blue-water passagemaking. If that is your intended use and you've found one in good condition, I'd say go for it. More information on the boats can be had here: EricsonYachts.org: The Starting Point on Ericson Yachts!  

seamedic- if you're going to visit the boat, i'd recommend you read this post .  

Moisture meter Hi Sailingdog Thanks, I have read the posting that you rec. Do you know were I could purchase a meter? Does it have to be special marine grade or could I try to find on at HomeDepot? Thanks Seamedic  

Surveyor Could anyone advise me the difference between NAMS/SAMS/NAVTECH. In tridition or in practice, does anyone suggest better qualified surveyor? How much should a survey cost in todays market in the NorthEast to CentralEast? Is $20 to $22/ft too much or about right - If the surveyor has over 15yrs of experience? Thanks Seamedic  

There is no specific surveying license, those names you mention are affiliations to credit passing a course. I'm not sure about the costs out your way. Out here $15-20/foot is normal. Also, FYI the E32 I was looking at 2 years ago was priced at 14K and was mint.....but had the gas engine. From the research I did back then, that price was fair. I would think it would be down a bit now. Go for it!!  

Price of Ericson 32 Hi Canadianseamonkey Thanks for your reponse. No, this E32 is not mint by fare. The boat is very clean inside and seams solid outside from the conversation that I had with the seller. Most of all, the seller has been very belcoming. He has answered all questions very well to the best of his knowledge, and stated that he will get back to me with better/more detail information. I have also found a surveyor that called me back and told me that he would be happy to take a quick look at the boat to see if the boat is worth a survey because he is not fare away. I did not have the chance to speak to in person for any possible charge, but from the message. I do not think he will charge me or at best little to take a quick look. The price is less than what you have stated for the one that you looked at few yrs ago. Thanks Seamedic  

If you said where you were located, or where the boat was located, someone could probably recommend a good surveyor, should the boat be considered good enough to warrant one.  

Advice on Surveyors Advice or opinions about any surveyors in Eastern Mass/coast area Thanks  

Justg a quick 2 cent's worth: E32 will be just fine for the two of you - a bit snug for 4 on an overnight but OK for daysails - impossible for 6 on an overnight (unless you are all VERY friendly!) and crowded on daysails. But that's the case for any boat that size. For coastal work in the NE she's fine, and she could take you on some offshore jaunts if in proper condition.  

? Many changes E32 in early 70' ? I agree life is too often too short or should I say shorter than we might think. Eating dessert first is always a good idea, but I try to begin cooking my main meal at the same time. I can't find if the E32 73's keel is bolted or none boted (glass over)? Wondering if anyone knows? & I also have read in the early 70's Ericson tried out many different things from year to year (including) the inside support for the chainplate (some w/ and other w/o) Is it true? Thanks  

Ericson 32 has a fully encapsulated lead keel. In other words, they built the hull around the lead balast so that it is fully integrated with no seams or keel bolts.  

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Looking for feedback / opinions on Ericson 34-2 (1987-1989)

• Thread starter ArkadiyS
• Start date Aug 28, 2016
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

We are considering a move from Catalina 30 TRBS to a more performance minded boat with good storage space and an aft cabin. We already ruled out Catalina 34s. Our marina has a max length restriction of 36 feet. Also, we are hoping to keep the price under $50K. Ericson 34-2 seems like a nice boat...are there others that we should be considering, and any opinions on Ericson 34-2? Thanks! Anyone interested in a 1985 Cat 30 TRBS, excellent shape with A LOT OF new and newer equipment...in the LIS area?  

I'm biased (I own an Ericson 32-III) but I think the 34-2 is a great boat. Good design, basically the same hull as the 35-III with different interior and slightly different transom. Well built, good in most conditions, no bad habits. The ericson owner's forum ( http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/content.php ) has a number of E34-2 owners among active participants, if you post over there I'm sure you'll get some good input.  

Of all the boats I was sad to see end production, the Ericson was near the top.  

Hello ArkadiyS. Are you still looking at Ericson E34's ?? I have been an owner of 1988 E34 for about 16 years now so if you have questions. let me know.  

Stu Jackson

ArkadiyS said: We already ruled out Catalina 34s. Our marina has a max length restriction of 36 feet. Click to expand

Thanks guys! The reason for ruling out C34 was mostly around lack of storage space and fairly tight layout. After looking at one, we realized that we had more storage on our Cat 30, and my wife ruled it out. E34-2 is a great boat, but... I have accidentally stumbled on Hunter 35, and it had everything that we needed, except that it was a Hunter.... after reading reviews, write-ups and visiting one, we made-up our minds and have since sold our Cat 30 and bought H35. So far, she is a much better handling boat (compared to our Cat 30 TRBS), has a huge amount of living and storage space, and a walkthrough transom, my wife's favorite. With an anchor roller it measures exactly 35'11", so it fits too.  

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