ericson 30 sailboat review

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• By Vincent Mcgowan
• Updated: March 17, 2008

From the 1960s to the late 1980s, California-based Ericson Yachts produced thousands of sailboats. One of the first models to emerge was the Ericson 30, designed by Bruce King; 150 were built between 1966 and 1970.

The E30’s high bow, sheer, and balanced overhangs are complemented by teak toerails and the tall, rounded coachroof that sweeps upward forward of the comfortable cockpit. Wide side decks make it easy to move forward inside the shrouds.

Touted as a racer/cruiser, the E30 raced successfully under the C.C.A. rule. A long, swept-back fin keel containing 3,000 pounds of encapsulated lead ballast works with the rudder hung on a partial skeg to keep the boat balanced on all points of sail. At 35 feet, the rig is short by today’s standards, making big overlapping jibs necessary for light airs. The tiller head is near the middle of the cockpit sole, and with the traveler located on the small aft deck and well-placed winches, the boat is convenient to singlehand.

Below, it offers 6-foot-2-inch headroom in a wood interior with bulkheads bonded to the hull. A one-piece fiberglass headliner brightens the cabin and provides structural support but restricts access to many of the deck fittings. Ten fixed ports admit lots of light, while a large forward hatch provides ventilation.

The galley is at the foot of the removable companionway steps, with a two-burner alcohol stove and oven to port and a deep sink and icebox to starboard. In the saloon, a long settee and bookshelf face a U-shaped dinette. Both convert to large sleeping berths. Forward of the main bulkhead is a hanging locker; opposite is a small, well-appointed head, its door serving also to separate the V-berth from the rest of the interior. The split V-berth sits high, above the stainless-steel water tank, the 10-gallon plastic holding tank, and stowage.

The balsa-cored deck is solid wherever hardware is attached. But beware: Not all fittings are fastened with backing plates. The chainplates are bonded to the inside of the hull, and this arrangement makes it difficult to inspect them. The deck is bolted to the solid fiberglass hull, and the joint is fiberglassed. The resulting watertight seal rarely causes concern. Ericsons of this era generally don’t exhibit any osmosis.

Access to the original Atomic 4 and its 20-gallon gasoline tank is through a door behind the steps or from the cockpit via the cavernous lockers afforded by the lack of quarter berths. Most E30s around today have been repowered with diesels.

An unusual feature of the boat is that the propeller exits the hull above the rudder. While this protects the prop behind the partial skeg, it makes maneuvering in tight quarters an adventure.

In the Ericson 30, I found what I wanted: a boat I could afford that was large enough to live on and small enough to learn on. Similar vessels are listed at prices from $14,000 to $29,000, and the Ericson Owners Association (www.ericsonyachts.org) is a valuable source for more information about this and other Ericson models.

Vincent McGowan, his wife, Traci, and their son, Nathan, sail their 1969 Ericson 30, Sway, on Puget Sound.

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ERICSON 30+ Detailed Review

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 30+. Built by Ericson Yachts (USA) and designed by Bruce King, the boat was first built in 1979. It has a hull type of Fin w/spade rudder and LOA is 9.12. Its sail area/displacement ratio 17.44. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on Diesel.

ERICSON 30+ has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about ERICSON 30+ and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the ericson 30+.

ERICSON 30+ was designed by Bruce King.

Who builds ERICSON 30+?

ERICSON 30+ is built by Ericson Yachts (USA).

When was ERICSON 30+ first built?

ERICSON 30+ was first built in 1979.

How long is ERICSON 30+?

ERICSON 30+ is 7.72 m in length.

What is mast height on ERICSON 30+?

ERICSON 30+ has a mast height of 11.73 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

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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ericson 30+

• Thread starter GrampaArt
• Start date Jun 15, 2012
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

Would appreciate info/opinions on the ericson 30+. This one's a 1980, shoal draft and I believe a tall rig,too. Seems to be an unusual design; thinking of purchasing. Thanks  

GrampaArt said: Would appreciate info/opinions on the ericson 30+. This one's a 1980, shoal draft and I believe a tall rig,too. Seems to be an unusual design; thinking of purchasing. Thanks Click to expand

The older Ericson were tender. The + series even a little more so. My friend had an E29. When the wind picked up it would heal quickly, but got over about 15-20 deg and stay there. Good quality for a production boat.  

Thinking about this more, it seems odd -- and maybe dangerous?? -- to have tall rig on shoal draft. Go to Ericson owners forum and post a question there. They are a helpful bunch.  

I had an Ericson 32. I especially liked the molded in keel as opposed to the bolt on keels of other competing brands. Ericsons have a peculiarity of tending to fish-tail when sailing down wind, more so than other brands so I had to get used to paying more attention to the helm than before when on a broad reach or running but I got used to that. Otherwise. it handled suberbly and was very fast. The quality of construction was better than similiar models of other makes. There is some compromise in interior space as opposed to other makes as the hull is sleek and fast. In my case, there was enough for my needs so I readily accepted the tradeoff but it might be a consideration for others. All in all I am well pleased with it.  

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Anyone sailed/owned an Ericson 30-2 ?

• Add to quote

They were made from 1978-? not too many out there. I looked at a nice one last week but wanted some opinions on sailing performance etc. Tiller, A-4 engine, good sails. This one was modded to a 4'11" draft. I am going for a test sail. Thanks for info!!!  

We looked at one of these (also known as the E 30+) in our last hunt. We liked a lot about it.. the frac rig, Ericson quality, etc. That particular one, recently repowered, was way over-priced and in the end we went for something a little bigger for less money.. The only caution I'd have: Since the standard keel was 5.8 feet, and the official shoal keel 4 feet - I'd be concerned about just exactly how this one was "modded" to 4'11".  

This on has the OB rudder only 47 were made It shares the specs with the 30 plus version otherwise. Apparently a boat yard cut the keel , added weight in the form of a bulb/wing look? I would want to sail in heavy air to make sure that the boat is not tender before seriously considering a purchase. Thanks for any info...  

one of the guys in my YC club has E-32 I like it! I'd say it's laid out in a traditional way down below and is bit narrow beamed. the A4 is an "interesting" piece of equipment imho.  

Captain, We were initially looking at Ericsons as well. In case you haven't visited yet, I found this site to be useful. Very good user base for Ericsons EY.o Information Exchange - Powered by vBulletin  

Test sailed today in 20+ knot winds The boat sailed well. It handled gusts very well and never felt out of control. Very little weather helm even when overpowered by a gust.The hull has pinched ends and the boat does not feel bigger than a Paceship 26? The T shaped cockpit with an outboard rudder, and a long tiller make the small cockpit feel even smaller. The boat feels smaller overall than a C&C 30 mk1 and the Tartan 30.  

captaincrunch27 said: The boat sailed well. It handled gusts very well and never felt out of control. Very little weather helm even when overpowered by a gust.The hull has pinched ends and the boat does not feel bigger than a Paceship 26? The T shaped cockpit with an outboard rudder, and a long tiller make the small cockpit feel even smaller. The boat feels smaller overall than a C&C 30 mk1 and the Tartan 30. Click to expand...

G'day friends, I have an opportunity to look at a 30-2 with wheel and stern rudder and my only interest would be buying it as a blue water boat. Has anyone got more data/experience on the boat since Faster's last post? If so I'd appreciate your posting here. Also, and I know the debate is endless, your thoughts about this boat with wheel vs tiller? Thx, Oakland  

Ericson Go to ericsonyachts.org  

Mike, I may have missed it but I didn't see any comments at the website (30-2 owners) that addressed extended cruising with the boat. If I missed it please send the link. Thanks, OS  

oaklandsailor said: Mike, I may have missed it but I didn't see any comments at the website (30-2 owners) that addressed extended cruising with the boat. If I missed it please send the link. Thanks, OS Click to expand...

OS, You might also want to look at the Ericson Cruising 31. Good Old Boat has a review article in the Nov/Dec 09 issue. The owner is a writer for GOB, altho the owners did the review. I have that persons email if you want to get ahold of him about that model. At the back of that article, Ted Hood does a reivew of two other boats, a Seaborn and a Cal. All three he mentions would work offshore, He compares these three to 7 or so other 30' boats GOB has done reviews on, to show why these three get his nod over the others written about. Then if you can not get around the ericson site, I'm thinking if olson34 is whom I think, he has moderated there many years, and knows the site like the back of his hand. marty  

blt2ski said: OS, You might also want to look at the Ericson Cruising 31. Good Old Boat has a review article in the Nov/Dec 09 issue. The owner is a writer for GOB, altho the owners did the review. I have that persons email if you want to get ahold of him about that model. At the back of that article, Ted Hood does a reivew of two other boats, a Seaborn and a Cal. All three he mentions would work offshore, He compares these three to 7 or so other 30' boats GOB has done reviews on, to show why these three get his nod over the others written about. Then if you can not get around the ericson site, I'm thinking if olson34 is whom I think, he has moderated there many years, and knows the site like the back of his hand. marty Click to expand...

Ericson 30 II - Hull # 1 My father purchased Hull # 1 (The Show Boat) in 1979. We actively raced this boat in the PHRF class at Marina Del Rey. The boat was named Windsprinter. The PHRF rating was 162 and won only one time... coincidentally, when my Mother was at the helm. It sailed very well... very tender boat actually, but generally performed well even in a blow. The aft rudder was actually a benefit... very responsive and out of the way when cruising and at port. We sailed this boat with a 150 and a 120 Genoa... both were good sails... but the 150 could overpower the boat in a hurry. We used to sail frequently against another of the same design from Redondo Beach who routinely won the class... so the boat was fairly rated. I inherited the boat when my father passed away and held it for a few more years... but sold it in the mid 90's to someone in Ventura. I do not know where the boat is today. Hull # 1 was the "Show Boat" so it had a beautiful teak interior. This probably added significant weight to the boat which affected its club racer performance... but it was a very comfortable boat to cruise with. The Atomic 4 was typical for the day... and all the resultant problems that came with it... (there were a few). All in All the Ericson 30 II was an excellent boat in its day... well designed, performed admirably... very seaworthy... nice memories!  

My father purchased Hull # 1 (The Show Boat) in 1979. We actively raced this boat in the PHRF class at Marina Del Rey. The boat was named Windsprinter. The PHRF rating was 162 and won only one time... coincidentally, when my Mother was at the helm. It sailed very well... very tender boat actually, but generally performed well even in a blow. The aft rudder was actually a benefit... very responsive and out of the way when cruising and at port. We sailed this boat with a 150 and a 120 Genoa... both were good sails... but the 150 could overpower the boat in a hurry. We used to sail frequently against another of the same design from Redondo Beach who routinely won the class... so the boat was fairly rated. I inherited the boat when my father passed away and held it for a few more years... but sold it in the mid 90's to someone in Ventura. I do not know where the boat is today. Hull # 1 was the "Show Boat" so it had a beautiful teak interior. This probably added significant weight to the boat which affected its club racer performance... but it was a very comfortable boat to cruise with. The Atomic 4 was typical for the day... and all the resultant problems that came with it... (there were a few). All in All the Ericson 30 II was an excellent boat in its day... well designed, performed admirably... very seaworthy... nice memories!  

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Ericson Yachts

Ericson Yachts was founded by a number of former employees of Columbia Yachts. With a few exceptions, the Ericson line was a collaboration with designer Bruce King. Though many Ericson models sold extremely well, the company had a turbulent history financially from the beginning with numerous changes in ownership. In 1968 the company became a subsidiary of Pacific American Industries and a new plant was built in Santa Ana , CA. By 1990, the Ericson brand had been acquired by Pacific Seacraft, which continued to build some of the later models until 1999, when it was retired. Original Address: 1931 Deere Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92705 USA MIC: ELY

Associations

• One Ton Class
• Carl Alberg/Bruce King
• Carl Schumacher
• George Olson
• Ron Holland
• William Crealock

41 sailboats built by Ericson Yachts

Ericson 25+

Ericson 35-2

Ericson 32-2.

Ericson 23-2

Ericson 26 (Crealock)

Ericson 23-1.

Ericson 28+

Ericson 31 Independence

Ericson 36C

Ericson 30-2

Ericson 35-1, ericson olson 34.

Ericson 32 (Scorpion)

Ericson 39 B

Ericson 31 Independence (Cutter)

Ericson 28-2

Ericson 38-200

Ericson 26-2

Ericson 34T

Ericson olson 911 s.

Ericson 32-3

Ericson 35-3

Ericson 381

Ericson 32-200

Ericson 34-2

Ericson 30+

Ericson 30-1

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• Sailboat Reviews

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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