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Thoughts on the Ericson 28

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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. I'm having a hard time getting any good information on them. This is the 28, not the + version. My usage is going to be just cruising, no racing. My future plans are along the Washington and Oregon coast, and then to Hawaii and Alaska. It will be myself and my gal. We'll spend a fair amount of time overnighting on it and hopefully a week or two aboard before we take it for a longer trip. I've really had my eye on an Islander 28 (Perry), but they're about twice the price. So what's the verdict? Is the Ericson 28 a decent boat for my goals? Any specific things I should look out for that are known problem areas on it? I'm already taking a copy of the boat inspection trip tips with me before I go look at it.  

My first keelboat, “Island Magic” was a 28 Islander. The Ericson 28 and Tartan 27, were the other two I looked at. Very comparable the Ericksons are well made and spacious for the size. All three sail adequately. As stated it is a good boat to learn on and begin a cruising experience. I would consider it coastal however all three are underpowered for the currents in the areas you mentioned . Good luck. Buy the one in the best shape.  

Well, I went and looked at it. It's an Ericson 28+, not the standard 28, so it's fractional. But it doesn't have a backstay adjustment, which is odd. One of the things I've heard is that it's a slow boat, and as chef said, underpowered. It's really wide inside! I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. There's about 5 feet of space between the settee cushions. It feels huge inside. That's a good thing for the most part, but what about underway in rough water? Pros: Within the last year, new bottom paint, zincs, water and fuel tanks, prop, cutlass bearing. Deck seems solid everywhere and in really good shape. There's just about no crazing of the gelcoat anywhere. I didn't take a moisture meter, so I'm just checking the boat out prior to spending any money getting a moisture meter or a survey. All the hardware was supposedly rebedded recently. Mainsail seems really crisp. The interior has all the headliner and hull liner pulled off, so at least I could see all the wood and glass. I couldn't see any places where there had been any leaks. The bilge had about an inch of water in it. Cons: The headliner has been taken out, and the liner along the hull. He said the head will back up a bit, but not overflow. I'm not sure what that means?? Anyone familiar with that? There's only two sails, the main and a 150% furling genoa. Nothing setup for a spinnaker. Barient winches. So parts will be hard to find. Cushions need to be redone. The batteries were pretty well drained as his wife had accidentally turned off the charger, so he couldn't get the motor to start. He said it has been repowered, but he didn't know much about it. He said the motor runs really well. From crawling under it, the motor seemed clean. No grease or oil around it, no oil or slime in the bilge. It's freshwater cooled. I looked at the rudder post, and couldn't see anything wrong with it, but I didn't check it thoroughly. I forgot to check the keelbolts, I did look in the bilge, but I didn't see any bolts and didn't think to look for them. Obviously this is just a preliminary checkup, I'll need to go through it more thoroughly and take it out on the water if I decide it's worth pursuing. Thoughts?  

so far, so good. If the winches turn, then not much to worry about. Barient's are pretty much bulletproof. You can clean and oil them. Backstay adjustment wasn't a standard thing on boats of that type and year. The toilet probably just needs a joker valve or maybe a rebuild kit. Boat toilets are always a touchy thing - you just learn to deal with them and they don't really break the bank.  

Thanks for the info. I'm leaning a little more towards getting it. Here's all the pictures I have. One of the slightly concerning things is that they moved the main traveler up over the companionway. This puts the sheets pretty far out of reach, and I'm not sure how strong that bracket is. It seems like a lot of leverage working on it in a blow. Am I being paranoid?  

Attachments

More pics. Also, they weren't able to get that B&G Network quad to turn on. Not sure if that's fixable, or how expensive it is going to be to replace. He said all the transducers were replaced this within the last year or two.  

And the last pictures.  

I'm pretty sure that it has encapsulated ballast - I've never seen an Ericson that didn't. They don't have keel bolts. Price seems average at best to me, at least around here in SoCal that would be slightly high in that condition.  

Lazerbrains said: I'm pretty sure that it has encapsulated ballast - I've never seen an Ericson that didn't. They don't have keel bolts. Click to expand...

Personally, I like mid boom sheeting. On my previous boat, I had mainsheets to the stern, and had maybe an irrational fear of having a sheet line get wrapped around my neck. If it wasn't original, I would look into it more.  

It's not original, which is where my concern is from. In the pictures of the cockpit you can see an empty slot where the mainsheet traveler track used to be right in front of the companionway. So it was previously somewhat of a midboom, but they moved it a little further to the mast. I can actually understand moving it. I'm just concerned about that frame they made to hold the traveler. With it being an upside down U it seems like there would be a lot of leverage on the two attachment points on the end if there were some big winds.  

Chainplates both above and below deck What do the backing plates look like under the traveler. Mines on the coach roof but not as elevated. Garhauer makes an elevated system though Lifelines are all sagging. Interior doesn’t look well cared for in terms of upkeep of the teak/ cherry. Not a hard thing to do so how does the other maintainence look...bilge? Is this keel stepped or deck stepped. If keel step could explain water. If not how is there water in the bilge.  

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1985/ericson-28-3511184/ https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1988/ericson-28-3600387/ https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1988/ericson-28-3528258/ Not seeking mast in cabin, so where is the water coming from. Why is the liner out You may have some elbow grease needed for this boat  

Deck stepped mast. Definitely cheaper than other Ericson 28s I can find out there. But that doesn't mean it's a good deal. I'm wondering about the water ingress too. According to the seller, the previous owner had been a smoker and the seller is allergic to cigarette smoke, so they've been tearing stuff out trying to get rid of the smell. I'm not afraid of some work, but my time does have value. I don't want to put thousands of dollars in time on something and end up having been better off buying a finished boat.  

I would want to find out how the water got in. I sent you a few Eriksons 28+. At least one was coach top main travelor  

It looks like the two that had coach top (I didn't know that's what that was called) travelers are 1988s. I think those are Ericson 28-2 models. This one I'm looking at is an '84 28+. The '85 you linked also has a cockpit mounted traveler. They did say that the previous owner had swapped the traveler and had the mounting bracket fabricated out of stainless. If it's done right that's not a problem, I'm just not sure if it was done right. I actually like the 28-2s better, they have wood slat hull liners, and a wood cabin sole. They're also nearly 3x the price of this. My gut is saying to pass on this boat, save up more, spend this season trailering my current boat up to the Puget Sound to get more experience and then next season buy something that needs less work and is closer to what I want. My list of "want" boats is pretty long, but more like: Perry designed Islanders Sabres (especially a 28) Canadian Sailcraft (30?) Caliber 33 Various C&C designs, Tartans And of course I wouldn't kick a Norseman 447, Morris, or Spirit Yacht out of my berth if it were gifted to me. Although the upkeep would be more than my whole boat right now...  

Sounds like you arent pushing yourself off that ledge just yet Look around more Trust your gut Learn more  

Well I emailed them and told them I'm going to pass on it. They seem like nice folks, I wish them luck selling it. I gave them a few tips to make their ad look better. I think I'm going to stick with my boat this season, set aside more pennies, and watch for a bigger boat that I feel better about for next season. If I could just find a CS 36 freshly outfitted for bluewater for $8,000...  

All you would have to do is add a zero to your $8,000 and Voila you would be there. I mean how hard could it be to simply add a zero to sometning ? Zero is basically nothing right?  

After looking at the photos and considering that the electronics might not be working right, I think you made a wise decision to pass on this one. Just to give a little perspective on TLC - you want a seller that's been doing the TLC and minimize the effort and TLC you need to put in. 3 years ago I sold a 1975 O'Day 27 for what I paid for it 10 years earlier. It was in your price range. I thought I did well to sell it at that price, and several buyers were tripping over each other to buy it as soon as it hit Craigslist. (Maybe I priced it too low). Not only did I keep up with regular maintenance, I did thousands of dollars in upgrades over the years (replaced the engine with a near new outboard with remote control, new mainsail, pressurized water system, re-doing through-hulls, new running rigging, re-upholstery.....expensive! - new stereo, VHF etc, etc). But those dollars spent were part of the enjoyment of the boat and represented sunk costs, so to speak. Sure, you might not easily find a seller that's transferring a boat in better than average condition, but they are out there. Of course, too many sellers think they have a gold bar - and buyers want to think they steal the boat at an auction price. Somewhere in that delta is where a deal can be made, particularly if you let the seller know that you are going to care for their baby. The closer you get to summer, the more it makes sense to have a 'sail away' vessel rather than a project boat. Keep looking and come back for here for opinions (if you can stand them!). And, good luck.  

Thanks. That's pretty close to my thoughts actually. I'd much, much rather buy something that someone is using or very recently used and maintained it. The list of things to do piles up so fast, and if someone is using their boat they are much more likely to fix things. I'm really hoping to find a boat that someone put their heart and soul into, got it ready for a big trip, and then had an unexpected life change and they need to sell the boat. A new job across the country or something like that.  

I recently sold my Islander 28 for almost what i bought it for 18 years ago. I maintained it, and upgraded it over the years. People say it's hard to sell a boat. I sold mine in about a week with several offers, maybe priced too low $9800.00, but I know it went to a good family who is keeping her in the same shape I did.  

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The Ericson 39 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Ericson 39 is a sailboat designed by Bruce King and constructed by Ericson Yachts, a company based in the United States. This model was produced from 1970 until 1980. Throughout this period, a total of 137 boats were manufactured.

Published Specification for the Ericson 39

Underwater Profile:  Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:  39'0" (11.9m)

Waterline Length:  30'0" (9.1m)

Beam:  11'4" (3.5m)

Draft:  5'11" (1.8m)

Rig Type:  Masthead sloop

Displacement:  19,000lb (8,618kg)

Ballast:  9,500lb (4,309kg)

Published Design Ratios for the Ericson 39

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  16.6

Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  50.0

Displacement/Length Ratio:  314

Comfort Ratio:  35.4

Capsize Screening Formula:   1.7

Performance Predictions based on the Design Ratios

Based on the provided Design Ratios, the Ericson 39 sailboat is expected to have a reasonably good performance.

• With a Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.6, it is likely to approach its maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors in the right conditions.
• The Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 50.0 indicates that the boat is likely to be stiff and powerful, standing up well to her canvas in a blow and helping her to power through the waves.
• With a Displacement/Length Ratio of 314, the Ericson 39 falls into the category of a heavy displacement boat. This suggests that the boat can be loaded with all cruising gear and equipment without it significantly affecting her waterline. While this may not be ideal for coastal sailing, the boat is likely to perform well on an offshore passage in testing conditions.
• The Comfort Ratio of 35.4 suggests that the Ericson 39 has the motion of a moderate offshore cruising boat, likely providing a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.
• Lastly, the Capsize Screening Formula of 1.7 suggests that the Ericson 39 is better suited for ocean passages, having a higher resistance to capsize in strong winds and heavy seas compared to boats with a CSF of more than 2.0.

The Designer

Bruce King Yacht Design is a noted yacht design team, credited with creating a range of impressive sailboats.

Aside from the Ericson 39, the team also designed the iconic Ericson 35, which is well-regarded in the sailing community. Other standout designs include the Ericson 29, a compact but capable cruiser, and the larger, more luxurious Ericson 46.

The team is also known for designing the Island Packet 350 and 370 models, both of which are renowned for their strong performance and high-quality construction.

Each design from Bruce King reflects careful attention to detail, a deep understanding of sailing requirements and a commitment to producing highly functional, aesthetically pleasing sailboats.

The Builder

Ericson Yachts was an American company established by Don Ericson in the 1960s.

Over the years, it built a reputation for designing and manufacturing high-quality fiberglass sailboats. The range of sailboats built by Ericson Yachts was extensive and included popular models such as the Ericson 25, Ericson 27, and Ericson 35, along with the aforementioned Ericson 39.

The company also introduced a series of "cruiser-racer" sailboats, which were designed to combine the comfort of cruising sailboats with the speed and agility of racing sailboats.

Despite their success in producing well-regarded sailboats, Ericson Yachts faced financial difficulties and ceased operations in the early 1990s. As such, they are no longer in business. Nonetheless, the sailboats they produced continue to be sought after in the used boat market due to their quality and performance.

The Ericson 39B

There were two versions of the Ericson 39 - The Ericson 39 and the Ericson 39B; both are sailboats designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts. Here are some key differences between the two models:

The Ericson 39:

• Introduced in 1970.
• Designed as a serious racer-cruiser with a flush deck, powerful sloop rig, and nicely finished mahogany interior.
• Most of the 130 or so Ericson 39s were built with a near flush deck.
• The design features midboom sheeting on the mainsheet, with the traveler forward of the companionway.

Ericson 39B:

• Built between 1975 and 1978.
• Known as the "cruising" version of the 39.
• The 39B model has a more traditional cabin trunk look, which was done to preserve interior headroom while raising the sole to accommodate larger fuel and water tanks.
• An offset companionway allowed for an aft cabin below instead of just a quarter berth.
• The mainsheet traveler is usually located aft, and those inspected have the wheel and pedestals mounted aft in the cockpit, which allows easier access to the offset companionway.

Please note that only 19 B models were built, while more than 100 flush deck 39s were launched before production ceased in 1979. Both models are considered to be good performers and are very stable/stiff with excellent righting capability if capsized. However, they each offer a unique set of features that cater to different sailing preferences.

In conclusion, the Ericson 39 sailboat, designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts, is recognized for its reasonably good performance and comfort, particularly suited for offshore cruising.

The design ratios indicate a well-balanced sailboat that can stand up to challenging conditions while maintaining a predictable and acceptable motion for its crew.

While Ericson Yachts is no longer in business, their legacy continues with the Ericson 39 and other models remaining in use and sought after in the second-hand market.

Feedback from the sailing press and owners often highlight the boat's solid build quality, good sailing performance, and the thoughtful design features that enhance usability and comfort.

Many owners appreciate its balance of comfort and performance which makes it a favored choice for both casual cruising and more ambitious sailing endeavors.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com

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• By Ralph Naranjo
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This popular mid-1960s Bruce King design features long ends, low wetted surface, a short waterline and an impressive stability index. The sloop is lean by modern standards, but her easily driven hull shape needn’t be put on its ear to sail efficiently – as did a whole generation of thin-waisted racers and cruisers built to the CCA rule.

The split-molded hull with an integral keel and encapsulated ballast shows good attention to glasswork detail. The thickness of the laminate and the resin/fiber ratio are more than adequate. Most of the deck is a plywood/glass sandwich that has held up quite well. Unfortunately, the coachroof and the bow and stern areas of the deck were balsa cored, and over the years they have tended to suffer from moisture intrusion and rot. I have spent considerable time remedying these problems aboard my 41 Wind Shadow.

The interior joinerwork is anchored to gussets and partial bulkheads that have been bonded securely to the hull, making much of the joinerwork structural and allowing access to the boat’s inside skin. As on many production boats, bulkheads meet the deck in a more or less fashion. By epoxy-bonding lengths of 2-inch x 2-inch mahogany to the underside of the deck and the bulkhead, greater load sharing can be achieved on a refit basis.

The Sparcraft double-spreader rig and external halyards yield poetic simplicity and allow a do-it-yourselfer to maintain the lot with minimum hassle and cost. The rig is a natural candidate for runners opposed by an inner forestay set six feet back from the headstay chainplate and the cutter upgrade.

A tie rod or other stiffening member linking the hull and foredeck should be added if an inner forestay is installed.

Areas to keep a sharp eye on include the mast step, the chain plates and the rudder Ñ Achilles heels for many production-built vessels. Because the problems that arise in these areas involve straightforward fixes, this boat remains a good option in the used-cruiser market.

Under sail the Ericson 41 is pure delight. Her ability in 12 knots or less of breeze is significant, and I have found this relatively benign-sounding attribute to be a huge advantage both inshore and offshore. In a blow she behaves well with two reefs and an inner forestaysail. When things get even worse a storm trysail and storm jib are true value added. In such conditions, the boat’s unique ability to remain under control, even when roller-coastering down the face of steep waves, is most appreciated.

The Westerbeke 4-107 was the auxiliary most commonly installed aboard the E-41. It’s a good, long-lived workhorse at the core, but the Walter V-drive and drive-shaft/prop-shaft combination often need some looking after and careful alignment. The significant downward angle of the prop shaft and the position of the prop itself well forward combine to make the boat a little finicky when backing. Also, assume that the only boats you’ll pass under power will be anchored. Anyone faced with repowering may want to turn the engine around and do away with the V-drive altogether.

Belowdeck, Bruce King shows how a good designer optimizes space and maximizes habitability. It’s not a case of how much the E-41 has in the cabin, rather how efficiently the simple layout works. The U-shaped galley to port and a nav station to starboard lie at the foot of the companionway. The roomy starboard quarter berth, the port settee and the starboard pilot berths are great for seagoing. In port, the forward V-berths and convertible saloon table provide comfortable double berths for guests.

A brokerage E-41 in reasonably sound shape, lightly fitted out with basic sailaway amenity, should tip in between $50,000 and $60,000.

Ericson 41 Specifications

LOA: 41’4″ (12.6 m.) LWL: LWL 29’2″ (8.9 m.) Beam: 10’8″ (3.3 m.) Draft: 5’11” (1.8 m.) Ballast: 8,200 lbs. (3,720 kgs.) Disp: 17,800 lbs. (8,075 kgs.) Sail area: (100%) 715 sq.ft. (66.4 sq.m.) Mast above water: 54’0″ (16.5 m.) Ballast/Disp: .46 Disp/Length: 320 SA/Disp: 16.8 Fuel: 55 gal. (208 ltr.) Water: 85 gal. (322 ltr.) Holding: 20 gal. (75 ltr.) Auxiliary: Westerbeke 4-107 Cabin headroom: 6’2″ (1.88 m.) Designer: Bruce King

• More: 41 - 50 ft , before 2000 , Bluewater Cruising , Coastal Cruising , ericson , monohull , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
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Looking for Ericson 29 Advice

• Thread starter Mark Corson
• Start date May 19, 2002
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

Mark Corson

I am a first time boat buyer. I am considering a 1973 Ericson 29. Can anyone give me answers to these questions?1. What is the general reputation of the Ericson 29?2. Does the E29 seem an appropriate match to my intended use?The specs of this boat are as follows.- LOA 29'- LWL 22'- Beam 9'3"- Displacement 8,500 lbs- Ballast 3,900- Draft 4'4"- Gas Atomic Four 1973- Sail area unknown- 6 winches- Headsail furler- All lines do not lead to cockpit- Tiller- Cockpit 88"- No bridgedeck- Ice box- Two burner stove- SS sink- No hot water- 2 dbl berths, 2 singles- Head- Dinette- Adequate instrumentation and electronicsBefore I make an offer I intend to get a professional survey, including engine check.My intend use is primarly daysailing/evening sailing with 4 to 6 adults. A few times I intend to weekend with my wife and maybe 2 close friends. I'm 54 years old. I would prefer to be able to have a boat that I would be comfortable sailing even if the wind picks up to 25 knots and waves go as high as 6 foot. Naturally I would reef and furl as needed. I would need to learn how to handle the boat over time. My area of sailing will be around Lake Erie. I would like to go across to the Canadian side without too much of a concern. From Cleveland it is roughly 70 miles. I also would like to go to the Lake Erie islands area, roughly 50 miles. I want to learn to sail single handed.I intend to sail from April to late November.I also intend to apply for membership in the Edgewater Yacht Club in Cleveland. It is has a large number of sailing boats and I think I could learn a lot from the members.Any advice or counsel will be appreciated.My phone is 216-685-6118, office. 216-378-1212, home.Email [email protected].  

E29 thoughts I do not have much direct experience with the E29, but I did own an E27 for a number of years ... and it's of the same general design. These are solid boats with a lot of room for the size. You just have to accept that they aren't the shiney penny new style boats with lots of yuppie do-dads, but they are solid, good sailing boats.With good sails it should be a decent performer My 27 would keep with up and usually outrun Catalina 30's and a good number of new Hunters. They handle heavy wind marvelously, and that big cockpit will carry the 4-6 adults you mentioned.Condition of the systems and sails will make the difference, but it should be a lot of boat for a modest price.JeffE30+ Adrenaline  

Barrie McDonald

Ericson 29 A Great Boat for its Size Hi Mark,I owned an Ericson 29 for 9 years. its a great boat. Well made and very easy to sail. You get a lot of boat for its 29 foot length. It also had the atomic 4 gas engine and it was more or less reliable but I did have to get towed home a couple of times. my engine was raw water cooled but it worked just fine. It did sometimes overheat. Atomic 4 engines were made for about 30 or so years and were the main standard pleasure boat engine until disels made headway.I do consider an inboard gas engine to be a bit of a fire hazard whereas with disel, no problem. You might be able to negoiate a good deal by complaining about this engine as disel refits are readily avaiable installed for about $8000.00 us currency.No matter what, Ericson is a fine boat and the 29 is especially so. it was one of their most popular models. Although I now sail a Hunter Legend 37 I still miss my Ericson 29 as it was very cheap to maintain and fun to sail.Good Luck,Barrie  

Ericson 29 It's a pretty solid boat with a good reputation. Out here you can pick one up for about 15-20 K, depending on condition. Check out "Practical-Sailor.com" where you can order a full report/evaluation on that and many other boats.  

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• Sailboat Reviews

Remarkably roomy for such a small boat, the 25 is well finishedand offers enough performance for racing.

Just a few years ago, the prospective buyer of a 25′ sailboat knew that some serious compromises awaited him. His 25-footer would probably have little more than sitting headroom, might have four shelves that could reasonably be called berths, and probably had a head stowed under the forward berth. The galley? With luck, a two-burner alcohol stove, maybe a sink, and a water tank holding ten gallons.

Auxiliary power? Usually a 6 hp outboard hanging off the stern or in a well in the lazarette.

With today’s economy, more and more people who once might have considered a 30-footer are downscaling their size expectations to something more realistic, perhaps a 25- or 27-footer. While they may downgrade their expectations in terms of the length of their boats, they have not downgraded their expectations in terms of the size boat they want. This is not the contradiction it may seem. The fact is that there are a number of boats less than 27′ in overall length that offer room and features akin to those offered in older 30′ boats.

For better or worse, economic reality has forced many of us to downsize our boat expectations in much the way we downsized our automobile expectations.

Then came a new generation of small cruising auxiliaries. The modern 25′ “family” sailboat has 6′ headroom, berths for a family of five—if privacy isn’t a high priority—enclosed head, and perhaps an inboard diesel engine. A regular miniature yacht.

The Ericson 25+ is a good example. The proof of the popularity of this concept shows in the numbers. Over 660 units were built in the first three years after the Ericson 25+ was introduced in late 1978.

Designer Bruce King had a long and successful relationship with Ericson Yachts, starting with the Ericson 23, 30, 32, and 41 of the late 1960s. He has not been exclusively an Ericson “house” designer—witness the magnificent Herreshoff-inspired 90′ ketch Whitehawk to his design—but the vast majority of Ericson boats came from his board.

Bruce King and Ericson found a formula not unlike that of Bill Shaw and Pearson: build a wide range of boats of similar type in two to three foot increments, develop customer loyalty, and watch the customers move up through the ranks. Keep the really popular models, such as the Pearson 35 or the Ericson 35, and bring out other models every few years to catch the latest trend. That formula worked whether you were on the East Coast or the West, and like Pearson, Ericson had the formula down pat.

With the exception of a few forays into the cruising market with the clipper-bowed Cruising 31 and the Cruising 38 (later to be called Independence), the Ericson formula produced a well finished cruiserracer with good sailing characteristics. The Ericson 25+ was part of this successful formula.

Construction

The hull of the Ericson 25+ is a solid hand layup. A molded fiberglass body pan is glassed to the inside of the hull, functioning as the base for much of the interior furniture and adding a certain amount of rigidity to the hull. The deck, cockpit, and cabin trunk molding is balsa cored, with plywood replacing the balsa in high stress areas such as under the deck-stepped mast and where deck hardware is mounted.

Exterior glasswork is of good quality, with little roving printthrough, Gelcoat work is good.

The hull-to-deck joint depends on a secondary chemical bond. Both the hull and deck have an external molded flange. Glass-reinforced polyester resin is used as a bedding compound between these flanges. The inside of this joint is then lapped with four layers of fiberglass mat and cloth. This joint is covered on the outside by a plastic extrusion with a soft plastic insert which functions as a rub rail. We prefer a mechanically fastened hull-to-deck joint, because the strength of secondary chemical bonds is very difficult to evaluate.

The deck of the 25+ has a remarkably solid feel thanks to its cored construction. Neither the deck, cockpit, nor cabin top had any of the sponginess frequently associated with small boats.

Deck hardware of the 25+ is well mounted. Stanchions, pulpits, cleats, and winches have adequate aluminum bearing plates. The tiller head is a substantial chrome-plated bronze casting, The transom is plywood cored, greatly adding to its rigidity.

The mast of the 25+ is a black, deck-stepped extrusion. The stainless steel mast step looks surprisingly fragile. Because the mast is designed to be owner-stepped if desired, the forward lower half of the base of the mast is cut away to allow the mast to pivot forward for lowering. We doubt if there are many owners who will step their own masts. The design of the mast step to facilitate raising and lowering has greatly reduced the bearing surface of the heel of the mast.

In contrast to the mast step, the shroud chainplates are of surprisingly heavy construction. The 25+ utilizes Navtec chainplates, shroud terminals, and turnbuckles. Chainplates are strongly tied to the hull.

All through hull fittings below the waterline have Zytel valves, a reinforced plastic. Most have double-clamped hoses, but the icebox drain hose has a single clamp. Although modern plastics are strong, we suggest that you carefully inventory through hull fittings, as they are a major culprit in many sinkings of otherwise undamaged boats. Plastic valves may be immune to electrolysis, but they cannot be forgotten any more than bronze seacocks can be ignored.

Handling Under Sail

Despite the chubbiness of the 25+, owners report that she is a fast boat under sail. There are a number of features that contribute to this speed, She has minimum wetted surface, despite a displacement that is average for her overall length, though fairly light for a waterline length of almost 22′.

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’s performance reinforces his belief. The optional shoal draft keel reduces draft a foot, reduces lateral plane, and no doubt reduces windward ability, Unless you are bound and determined to have a boat drawing under four feet, by all means get the deeper draft version.

The rig of the 25+ is a high aspect ratio 7/8 sloop rig. The mainsail hoist of 31.5′ is unusual for a 25′ boat. In light air, tall rigs are usually faster, and we would expect the boat’s best point of sail to be upwind in light air. Since a great deal of the sailing in the world seems to be upwind in light air, this approach to the rig is a rational one.

With the addition of a backstay adjuster—easy because of the split backstay—it is possible to induce a reasonable amount of mast bend to control sail shape. A full width mainsheet traveler mounted on the cockpit bridgedeck greatly enhances mainsail control.

Shroud chainplates are set well inboard, allowing narrow headsail sheeting angles. The genoa track is also located inboard, almost against the cabin side.

There is no main boom topping lift, We think this is pretty indefensible on a cruising boat, and despite the additional windage, a topping lift is greatly to be desired on a racing boat. Without a topping lift, reefing becomes a real exercise in agility. Dropping the mainsail is greatly complicated, especially when cruising shorthanded. Should the main halyard break when sailing close hauled, the main boom could brain anyone sitting on the leeward side of the cockpit.

Two-speed Barient headsail sheet winches were standard in later boats. There is room on the cockpit coamings both for the addition of secondary winches for spinnaker handling and the replacement of the standard winches with larger ones. A single halyard winch is mounted on the mast, There is no main halyard winch. We would choose the optional aftleading halyards to facilitate shorthanded cruising.

The 25+ should sail with almost any other production cruiser-racer of her size. Her wide beam and deep draft should offset the additional heeling moment of the tall rig. Like all wide modern boats she should be sailed on her feet. Get the crew weight out on the weather rail in a breeze, and she should carry sail well.

Handling Under Power

There were probably more power options for the 25+ than any similar-sized boat on the market. They included: outboard power, OMC gas saildrive, Volvo diesel saildrive, and Yanmar diesel inboard.

The 25+ is small enough to be driven fairly well by a 10-hp outboard. There was about a $3,500 difference in equipping the boat with an outboard engine versus the diesel inboard. The choice depended largely on how the boat was to be used. Few boats of this size are used for long-distance cruising. For daysailing and racing, an outboard engine is more than adequate.

If extended coastal cruising is to be the boat’s primary activity, then one of the inboard options should be considered. Frankly, we have little love for saildrive installations. If you really want an inboard engine, the Yanmar single cylinder inboard diesel is the real choice. No matter which engine is in the boat, it is equipped with a 20-gallon aluminum fuel tank.

With a one-cylinder diesel engine, given a fourknot cruising speed and fuel consumption of about 1/4 gallon per hour, the range under power is almost 350 miles—a truly astounding range for a 25′ boat, That’s probably more range under power than the average boat is likely to need for an entire season.

Deck Layout

With shroud chainplates set well inboard, and a reasonably narrow cabin trunk, working on the deck of the 25+ is fairly easy. There is adequate room between the shrouds and the lifelines to walk outboard of the shrouds with ease.

There is a small foredeck anchor well, adequate for the stowage of a single Danforth and rode. There are no bow chocks, but there are two cleats located forward at the outboard edge of the deck.

Molded-in nonskid of a color contrasting to the primary deck color was standard on the Ericson. This relieves eyestrain in bright sunlight and reduces the basically austere external appearance of the boat.

The cockpit of the 25+ is comfortable. Coamings are angled outward rather than being vertical, allowing a more natural sitting posture. As in most tiller-steered boats, the sweep of the tiller occupies a large percentage of the cockpit volume. In port, the tiller swings up and out of the way, providing un-crowded seating for up to six adults.

A single cockpit scupper 1—1/ 2″ in diameter is recessed in a well at the back of the cockpit. The well allows water to drain on either tack. A stainless steel strainer over the scupper reduces its effective area by over 50%. Since the drain size is large enough to pass on through almost any debris that is likely to be found in the cockpit, we would remove the strainer for sailing. A single 1-1/2″ diameter scupper has more cross sectional area than two 1″ drains, and is less likely to clog.

There are two cockpit lockers. The starboard cockpit locker is a shallow pan suitable for storing small items such as winch handles and sail ties. At its after corner is a deeper bin which could make a handy icebox for cold drinks. The port locker is a large, deep affair which unfortunately suffers from the common failing of not being adequately separated from the under-cockpit area, A snap-in Dacron bag would convert this locker to reasonable sail stowage.

The companionway uses thick, well-made solid teak dropboards with proper step joints to prevent spray from working below, Unfortunately, the very strong taper to the companionway slides allows them to be removed by lifting less than an inch. For sailing in rough water, a positive means of securing these slides—a sliding bolt, for example—must be installed.

It is gratifying to see a real bridgedeck in a boat this size. Except for the strong taper to the companionway sides, this is one of the best designed cockpits we have seen in a small boat.

The amount of interior volume in the 25+ is truly remarkable. The boat easily has the headroom and elbow room of most older 30-footers.

The forepeak contains the usual V-berth with a filler to form a nominal double. We truly mean nominal. Two normal-sized people simply do not fit in the forward berth of the Ericson 25+. Consider it a large single instead, or a double for two children. Water and holding tanks occupy the space under the berth.

The 25+ has a genuine enclosed, standup head, an almost unheard of luxury in a boat this size. The head has an opening port for ventilation. There are two small lockers in the head, but both are largely occupied by plumbing hoses.

Opposite the head is a small hanging locker. This locker is fully lined with teak plywood, a nice finishing touch.

It is in the main cabin that the 25+ really shines. Headroom is an honest 6′. Two comfortable settee berths seat 6 in comfort, A fold-down drop-leaf table is big enough to serve 4, and is one of the sturdier tables of this type that we have seen.

The main cabin of the 25+ is well finished with a combination of off-white fiberglass and teak. This is a very successful decorating job, without so much teak as to turn the interior into a cave but with enough to give a well finished appearance. A ceiling of teak strips became standard later on in the production run, and the cabin trunk sides are veneered in teak. A teak and holly cabin sole came standard, with two access hatches to the bilge.

There is a real bilge, unusual in a boat of this size. The strainer for the cockpit-mounted Whale Gusher pump is accessible through a cabin sole hatch.

Under the settee on each side of the cabin there are storage bins. These make use of molded polyethylene drop-in liners, a most practical solution which recognizes the reality that under-seat storage is rarely, if ever, completely dry. An optional extension to the starboard settee converts it to a double berth, but at the expense of easy access to the storage bins underneath.

The galley is surprisingly complete for a 25′ boat. There is a well-insulated icebox of five cubic foot capacity. The insulation is exposed in the port cockpit locker, and will be vulnerable to damage from items stowed there. It could easily be sealed off with either plywood or fiberglass to protect it. The icebox lid is an uninsulated molding advertised as a removable serving tray. If it is used as a serving tray, then the icebox is uncovered, allowing the ice to melt. Whoever thought up that bright idea should go back to the drawing board or look around for some common sense.

For some reason, icebox lids are one of the poorest design features of most sailboats, It’s quite remarkable on boats with otherwise thoughtful design and construction to see poor icebox design. Perhaps there is collusion between the Union of Icebox Designers and the Association of Manufacturers of Ice to maximize the consumption of ice aboard sailboats.

There are storage lockers both above and below the icebox-stove counter. The stove is a recessed Kenyon two-burner alcohol unit with a cutting block cover, These stoves have the fuel fill located between the two burners, and we feel they are a poor choice for use aboard a boat. The burners must be absolutely cool before the fuel tank is filled to eliminate the possibility of explosion or fire.

It is not necessary to step on the galley counter when coming down the companionway. This is a real plus. Footprints on the counters have never appealed to us.

A human-sized quarterberth is a welcome feature. With adequate headroom over, it eliminates the coffinlike aura of so many small-boat quarterberths, and is without a doubt the roomiest, most comfortable berth on the boat.

With an outboard engine, the room under the cockpit that would normally house an inboard is given over to storage. The tiny one-cylinder Yanmar diesel would easily shoehorn into the same space.

Without a doubt, the interior of the Ericson 25+ is a real accomplishment, It is well finished, generally well designed, and remarkably roomy for a boat of this overall length. There is some miniaturization of components, such as the galley sink, head sink, and hanging locker. Nonetheless, she’s a big little boat, and would be truly comfortable for extended coastal cruising for a couple. That is something that can rarely be said for a 25′ boat.

Conclusions

Ericson came very close to achieving their goals in the 25+. She is about as much boat as can be crammed into this overall length.

An interesting option is an E-Z Loader trailer. With a beam of over 9′ and a weight of 5,000 pounds, the 25+ is no trailer sailer. It takes a large, powerful car or truck to tow a boat of this size, and the beam could present legal problems in some states. The trailer would be most useful for taking the boat home for winter storage, rather than frequent over-the-road transport.

Workmanship and finish detail are generally of good stock boat quality. Exposed joiner work is good. Fillet bonding varies from good to only fair, with glasswork generally good.

The Ericson 25+ is a good small cruiser for a young family, and offers enough sailing performance to be a reasonable choice for club racing.

Unlike many small cruiser-racers which concentrate on interior volume and forsake sailing ability, the 25+ really will sail. This means that the new sailor will not quickly outgrow her as he or she learns what makes a boat go fast. With good hardware such as Barient and Navtec and a fairly high degree of finish detail, it is easy to see why the boat fetches the prices it does.

For those used to less-expensive 25-footers, the cost will be a shock. It helps a little to think of her as a 28-footer with the stern cut off.

With an inboard diesel, a good light air rig, and lots of interior volume, she’s a good little cruising boat for a couple. A maximum boat for minimum length, she’s a modern solution to skyrocketing costs of sailing. At maximum price for her length when new, she’s not an example of “more for less,” but then, there’s no free lunch in the sailboat market. That’s for sure.

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