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Ericson 380
Bruce kings 1979 design lives on in this updated version by pacific seacraft. we like the interior and the way she handles, but found the cockpit on the small side and think the large headsails will be a challenge for weaker crew..
The Pacific Seacraft Ericson 380 began life in 1980 during one of the iterations of the Ericson Yacht Company. A proven West Coast performer in the windy conditions found every summer day in San Francisco, the boat also sold well on the East Coast and Great Lakes for whom the appeal was her traditional lines, heavy construction and shallow draft.
We sailed the original 38 on San Francisco Bay in the 1980s and found her to be a responsive, seakindly boat. However, we were sufficiently impressed with the appeal of the new 380 at last years Sail Expo that we decided to try the newest version.
History The company was formed in 1964 by Don and Gene Kohlmann, two San Francisco Bay sailors who set up shop in Southern California. Because the brothers had spent years sailing in the blustery conditions of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific outside the Golden Gate, their aim was to build boats that would endure in those conditions.
We built an eclectic line of boats, Don says of their early endeavors.
They commissioned naval architect Bruce King to design the boats. Early on, these included modifications to an existing Carl Alberg design and a 26-footer designed by W. B. Crealock, as well as some boats that were influenced by competitor Columbia.
Heavier than some of their competitors, they were good family cruisers that also fared well in handicap racing. The Ericson 27, for example, was a frequent winner on the MORA circuit, and racked up wins in the San Francisco-San Diego and Oakland-Catalina races. Several one-design fleets are still racing.
By 1971, the company was a takeover target for the CML Group, an East Coast holding company that had its fingers in a number of pies, including ownership of Boston Whaler. That marriage lasted 13 years. In 1984, CML offered Ericson stock to the public and Gene Kohlmann reclaimed the company. He and Don operated it until it closed its doors in 1990, about the same time a long list of builders disappeared.
Pacific Seacraft purchased the molds for the Ericson 34 (now called the Ericson 35), and the 38 from creditors in 1990, and began production in 1991. Kohlmann remains with the company as a vice-president.
Pacific Seacraft is a seasoned company with a 30-plus year history. Founded in 1976 with the introduction of the Pacific Seacraft 25, a pocket cruiser that enjoyed great popularity, it followed with the Mariah 31, Orion 27 and Flicka 20, a popular Bruce Bingham design, all of which were produced at the Costa Mesa, California plant. The companys association with W. B. Crealock began in 1980 when it acquired rights to build the Crealock 37, a handsome, seaworthy-and pricey-cruising sailboat. It was acquired in 1988 by Singmarine Industries, Ltd., a Singapore-based company.
As an example of its place in the American manufacturing world, Pacific Seacraft has twice been recognized by Fortune magazine as building products that are among the 100 America makes best, the only boatbuilder that can make that claim.
Design During his 30-plus years since joining the company as Ericsons chief designer, Bruce King produced more than 29 Ericson designs, ranging in size from a 23- footer to the 380. Along the way, he also has designed the mega yachts Signe, Whitefin and the 92-foot Whitehawk, as well as a handful of IOR racers.
His original design for the Ericson 38 featured moderate overhangs and freeboard, conservative proportions and a low cabin trunk, all of which gave it a somewhat traditional look. Youll never confuse this boat with the plumb-bow, wide-bodied designs favored by many of todays naval architects.
King says that the 380s performance is enhanced by a fine bow entry that flares outward to improve lift when sailing to weather, which also results in less spray on the decks and a drier ride. He also points to the basic fore and aft symmetry of the hull and the combination of fin keel and spade rudder as design elements that result in a constant center of lateral resistance (CLR) and a well-balanced yacht. Unfortunately, in the gusty conditions in which we tested the boat we were unable to find the balance point that affords self-steering.
Early boats had a quarter berth to port with a nav station, both enclosed by a sliding door. The 381 (about 1983) had an open berth to port, presumably to save expense. A few years later, the 38-200 restored the private aft cabin with berth extending under the cockpit; in this version, the nav station was moved to starboard. The boat was again redesigned in 1987, when King moved the keel and mast forward and lengthened the cabin, which facilitated the installation of a somewhat larger aft stateroom to port.
By 1990 the entire belowdecks accommodations had undergone a retrofit that brought the boat more in line with the interiors found in traditional Pacific Seacraft models. Lighter laminates replaced gelcoat surfaces, shiny stainless steel ports replaced aluminum frames, and the boat took on the appearance and feel of a classic cruising yacht.
The keel design of the 1980s also was altered. Early boats were fitted with a shoal draft keel for shallow-water cruising; eventually, winglets were added to enhance performance. Since then, a bulb keel with an end plate that draws only 5′ 3″ is an option that Kohlmann says provides the same stiffness as the deeper fin keel, which draws 6′ 6″.
Beam is a moderate 12′ 0″, and displacement is 15,500 pounds in the current configuration. Because seakindly performance was a design objective rather than blistering speed and high pointing angles, the 380 wont compete with the lightweights. A PHRF handicap of 112, however, indicates that race committees consider the 380 capable of sailing at 6-7 knots to weather.
Rig & Deck Except for the mast, the deck hardware and rigging on the boat are supplied by major names in the industry. Harken builds the roller furling and self-tailing winches, of which there are six. Lewmar supplies the hatches. Ullman Sails of Southern California makes the sails. Spinlock rope clutches are standard gear.
The mast and boom are constructed by LeFiell, a Southern California company with 20 years of experience constructing spars and close ties to the aerospace industry, Kohlmann says. The mast, a tapered aluminum section equipped with double spreaders, is coated with linear polyurethane paint, as are many spars today because of costly environmental restrictions on anodizing. The headstay is 5/16″; the upper shrouds and backstay are 9/32″; the lowers 1/4″ and intermediate shrouds 7/32″.
The J dimension measures a big 16.25′, which reflects the anticipated use of overlapping jibs.
The mast is keel stepped on the Tri-Axial Force Grid (see Construction), and has internal main and jib halyards and spare sheaves for spinnaker halyards.
The aluminum boom is equipped with vang bales, and also has internal sheaves for two sets of reefing lines as well as an internal adjustment for the topping lift. The outhaul, also inside the boom, has a 4:1 purchase for easy adjustment.
The shrouds are connected to a Navtec chainplate system; a stainless steel mast collar provides leads for control lines led aft.
On our test boat, the main and jib halyards, mainsheet and reef line, were led aft through Spinlock clutches to four Lewmar #30 self-tailing winches located on the doghouse (company literature says new boats will have Harken winches). Vang control is in a Harken cam cleat above the hatch. On the whole, the layout is efficient, though we do have one concern: The vent hatch forward of the mast has a stainless steel guard railing designed to protect the hatch from being stepped on and damaged while underway. The rail could be a toe-stubber, however, especially when working after dark.
Inboard genoa tracks are 1-1/4″ x 3/16″ aluminum T-track that begin at the forward end of the cockpit; they are long enough for close sheeting of a 150% genoa or a small headsail. The same holds true for the outboard track built into the fiberglass toerail.
The mainsheet traveler, forward of the companionway, consists of a double-ended mainsheet that runs through Harken ball bearing blocks with 4:1 purchase, so we found it easy to change mainsheet angles. The bitter end of the double-ended traveler sheet runs to a cam cleat on the coachroof.
Some owners prefer end-boom sheeting because it provides better boom control, and is easier to reach from the helm. Interestingly, in the 1979 drawings of the 38, the mainsheet traveler ran across the cockpit at the companionway-a trade-off between convenience to the helmsman and comfort for crew sitting forward.
All deck hardware, including the pulpits and stanchions, cleats and winches have backing plates and are bedded in polyurethane sealant.
Like most production cruisers, the anchor locker is in the bow and has adequate space for a lunch hook and rode. Chain for extended cruising, however, would have to be stowed belowdecks. The stainless steel anchor roller on our test boat held a 33-lb. Bruce snugly. Pairs of 10″ mooring cleats are mounted on the deck and stern; amidships, a sliding padeye on the genoa track may serve as a cleat for breast lines, but a boat of this quality should come with mid-ship cleats.
The 380 has ample sources for light and ventilation, including three Lewmar deck hatches and 15 Lewmar portlights. That much hardware adds up to lots of weight, but assures lots of light and decent air circulation.
Our major complaint about the boat is the smallish cockpit. It is, of course, a trade-off with space below, and is caused by the addition of the aft cabin. It wouldnt be comfortable with more than four in the T-shaped cockpit. Though the seats are 7′ long, we found the tiny footwell cramped.
Steering the boat is comfortable from the skippers position on an ergonomically shaped seat that affords excellent visibility, even when the dodger is raised. Because the seat covers the width of the stern, the skipper can keep an eye on telltales.
The addition of the aft cabin also eliminated one cockpit stowage compartment, so the only locker is to starboard. The propane tank and cockpit shower are located beneath the helmsmans seat.
As an accommodation to cruisers on both coasts, buyers are offered a choice of a conventional counter transom or a scoop stern with swim platform and stainless boarding ladder.
Interior The Pacific Seacraft approach to boatbuilding may be best reflected belowdecks. While the largest builders in the production field-most notably Hunter, Catalina, Jeanneau and Beneteau-provide buyers with nicely completed spaces, we think the Ericson 380 is done better. The boat is as appealing in real life as in the companys sales brochures.
The combinations of teak, blonde-colored wood tones and bright gelcoat surfaces combined with an off-white liner create an air of spaciousness. The entire length of the interior is covered by teak battens or teak cabinetry. Wood surfaces are nicely joined and smoothly finished. Our test boat had been in service for four years but varnished surfaces showed little deterioration, plumbing fittings were intact and wiring showed no signs of corrosion or rust.
The layout is straightforward: The aft cabin berth is 6′ 6″ x 5′ 9″, so will be adequate for two adults. But as with all aft berths, youre in close proximity to the engine and cockpit.
The galley counter runs amidships with double stainless steel sinks, hot and cold pressure water, plus saltwater pump. The two-burner Force 10 stove has an oven and broiler. The ice box, which is insulated with poured urethane foam, will be adequate for most short-term cruising.
The drop-leaf table in the saloon offers a dining area for guests at the starboard settee, and may be lowered to form a double berth. Settees on both sides of the boat are 6′ 6″.
The head has a separate shower stall enclosed by a fabric curtain; the space is well vented by two ports.
The nav station is aft of the starboard settee. The chart table has plenty of room for charts and instruments. Its arrangement seems something of a compromise because the navigator sits on the settee facing aft with no back support; weve always appreciated a firm, separate seat when underway. Instruments are mounted on the forward side of a hanging locker bulkhead with room for a chartplotter, VHF radio and SSB. Other electronics are mounted in cabinetry above the hinged electric panel, which has six AC and 16 DC circuits.
In the forward cabin, the V-berth measures 6′ 4″ x 5′ 5″ with stowage beneath, and there are two hanging lockers with vented doors.
The 38-hp. Yanmar diesel is located below the companionway steps, with good accessibility from the top, front, both sides, and from the aft stateroom. It is also constructed with a molded drip pan, so will be easy to clean. It is well insulated; we noticed little engine noise while underway.
Improvements adopted since Pacific Seacraft began building the boats include cleaner plumbing and electrical installations. Theres easy access to breaker switches and wiring; all plumbing and wiring harnesses are grommeted with rubber chafe guards where passing through bulkheads; double hose clamps are on all hoses below waterline; high quality polyethylene hoses are used in the galley; and the flush bronze through- hulls have seacocks.
Construction Though King drew the boats lines, naval architect Dave Pedrick was responsible for the structural grid system used to stiffen the hull. The hull from the waterline to the sheer is a solid fiberglass laminate that has a skin coat of 3-oz. chopped strand mat hand laid up with vinylester resins, over which are laid 1.5-oz. mat and Coremat. The balance of the laminate is biaxial roving with supplemental reinforcement in the chainplate and keel areas where the Tri-Axial Force Grid (TAFG) floor system bonds to the hull.
The TAFG is a fiberglass pan with molded beams in the keel area and where the chainplates are connected to the structure so that rigging loads are adequately distributed. In the chainplate area, four plies of 18-oz. woven roving extend from the knees into the beams.
Additional longitudinal strength is provided by girders constructed of unidirectional E-glass in the aft section; extra layers of woven roving are used to reinforce the keel attachment and rudder post area. All of the bulkheads are bonded to the hull and deck, as is all of the cabinetry.
Kohlmann says that this construction method adds 500 to 600 lb. of displacement, but to his mind is offset by longitudinal stiffness, and better keel and rig support.
The deck is cored with 1/2″ balsa and laid up with mat and woven roving. The cabin sides are cored with Coremat.
Performance We tested the boat in 12-knot winds with occasional gusts into the high teens. Seas were 1′ to 2′. Sailing with a full main and genoa, we sailed up to 40 to the apparent wind, making about 6 knots. We think we could have achieved greater speed and a higher pointing angle by moving the sheet leads inboard and tweaking the car position.
Though we didnt have big waves to challenge the boat, her movement was seakindly, and we found she was easy to steer.
Sailing off the wind, odds are youll want to add bigger downwind sails. To confirm our opinion, we contacted the owner of an original 38 who had double-handed his boat from San Francisco to Hawaii. A typical weekend sailor who spends weekdays in an office, he reported an uneventful trip in 15-25 knot winds. Sailing to weather to clear the coast, he said the boat handled easily, but took water over the bow.
Once sheets were eased and the spinnaker hoisted, the rest of the 13-day passage was spent sailing fast but comfortably in 10-15 knot tradewinds.
Conclusions The Ericson 380 is interesting in that its basic hull design now is somewhat dated, but other modifications-to the interior, deck and keel-constitute sufficient change to keep the boat in production. And we have to admit to being somewhat partial to boats of conservative proportions, finding many contemporary designs to have excessive beam and quirky handling. Still, if youre hoping to turn heads when you leave the dock, as do some of the newer, sexier designs, you may be disappointed.
Our two principal criticisms of the 380 are its small cockpit size, and large headsails (100% foretriangle = 409 sq. ft.), which can prove a challenge to trim. And, unless youre prepared to deal with handling and flaking of large sails, roller furling is a must.
Pacific Seacraft offers a 100% warranty for four years, and a warranty against blistering and all structural components for 10 years. Price is $187,900, FOB Fullerton, California. For comparison, base price of a Catalina 380 is about $125,000, a Beneteau Oceanis 381 about $128,00, a Valiant 39 about $214,000 and a Moody 36 about $172,000. A 1985 Ericson 381, which had a base price of $98,000 when new, now sells for about $66,000.
Contact- Pacific Seacraft Corporation, 1301 E. Orangethorpe Ave., Fullerton, CA., 92831, 714/879-1610.
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Best Ericson Sailboats: A Complete Guide
Last Updated by
Daniel Wade
December 28, 2023
Sailboats that stand the test of time are often classics and loved by many sailors. One example is looking for the best Ericson sailboats, dating back to 1964.
Ericson had an up and down history but still managed to produce quality boats. So which ones were the best out of their lineup before their demise?
Out of the thousands of sailboats this company put together, there are a handful that stand out. The best Ericson sailboats consisted of the 26, 27, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36C, E38, and 46 models. Each boat has a unique size and design, making them quite different from other brands at that time.
By 1999, the Ericson brand had been through enough over the years in terms of bankruptcy, ownership changes, and not keeping up with market demand by improving their boats. After poor sales that year, they decided to close shop for good, but still had plenty of produced sailboats to carry on the name.
According to experts in the sailing industry, Ericson sailboats were ahead of their time in the early 1970’s. They were a pioneer in the sailboat realm and built many classics that you can find for an affordable price today.
Table of contents
Top 10 Ericson Sailboats
Through much debate, many sailors argue about which Ericson sailboat is the best. Many will claim a variety of factors influence trying to buy one today, such as price, condition, and size.
Depending on what suits your style of sailing and how you intend to use the boat will likely affect your decision on what is best. For Ericson, there are plenty of sizes and models to choose from.
1. Ericson 26
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-26"}}
The 26 model offered a good size for sailors having a small crew or operating shorthanded with a fractional sloop. This one is just shy of 26 feet long and has about a five-foot draft. These were designed perfectly for day sailing or light cruising.
Bruce King helped develop this one, which turned out to be a stiff and fairly fast boat. Since it has self-tailing winches, and furling headsails, and you can control the mainsheet from the cockpit, it is easy to operate.
2. Ericson 27
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-27"}}
The Ericson 27 debuted in 1971 with a displacement of 6,600 pounds and plenty of stability in the masthead sloop. The boat is roughly 27 feet long and sits about four feet in the water.
Many love this design since it navigated through choppy waters and responded to wind changes well. In addition, it can also sleep five comfortably.
There is enough sailing area to handle just about any condition and it is great for coastal cruising. If you have difficulty finding a crew or only want to be by yourself, this one makes it easy to handle all alone.
3. Ericson 29
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-29"}}
Another masthead sloop rig type, the Ericson 29 is about 29 feet long with a draft of 4.33 feet. This one reached popularity among those that wanted to enjoy cruising and doing it at night.
There are sleeping accommodations for up to five people and plenty of room to move around. This design was similar to other popular models they produced, but not as easy to operate by yourself like the other shorter models.
4. Ericson 30
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-30"}}
The Ericson 30 has an appeal like no other model in their lineup. They tweaked this design for about 10 years, making it one of the longer models they have played with.
It is nearly 30 feet long, has a fractional sloop, and sits nearly six feet in the water. It offers plenty of room to sleep five people and live aboard.
This is a great size to live on and learn about your boat without being too overwhelmed if you are new to that lifestyle. This one has become popular with sailors wanting to try that out.
5. Ericson 32
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-32"}}
There were multiple designs of the Ericson 32 , with two of the most popular ones being designed by Bruce King in 1969 and 1985. The one in 1969 had a lot more problems, but they are both classics at 32 feet in length and a six-foot draft.
The later model was built for four years and they produced 700 of them. You will likely see many Ericson 32s with another number associated with it due to different features like the keel type or the optional tail rig.
Both the older and newer models of the 32s are attractive boats. If you are wanting the better of the two in terms of look, handle, and speed, you cannot go wrong with the latter model.
6. Ericson 34
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-34"}}
The 34 footer installment was a good design with high-quality construction. This masthead sloop was nearly 35 feet and just over six feet of draft.
Depending on the year these were built, the exterior did not change that much in comparison to the interior. Out of all the boats that Ericson produced, they were most proud of the molding structure they used on this one.
The deck used a balsa core and had a plywood backing under the deck fittings to offer extra support. With the fiberglass hull, it provided one of the sturdiest options without compromising performance.
7. Ericson 35
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-35"}}
The Ericson 35 was similar to the 34, with some slight differences. This one is nearly 36 feet and sits around 6.17 feet in the water.
This one was a good cruiser, with some models meant for casual sailing. It handled offshore sailing very well and had the classic look.
The interior made this boat easy to live on and accommodate over five people. Whether you are racing or living on it, this boat could do it all.
8. Ericson 36C
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-36c"}}
The 36C was another beauty offered by Ericson, coming in at 36 feet and a five foot draft. This cutter rig is a great size, but you can still operate shorthanded if you do not have enough people on board.
This boat can do it all with coastal cruising, day sailing, and living full time on it. With its fiberglass hull, it is one of the lighter boats for its size. You could even race this if you wanted.
9. Ericson E38
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-e38"}}
If you are looking for a larger Ericson boat, you cannot go wrong with the E38 . At nearly 38 feet long and 6.5 feet in the water, it offers the best of both worlds for living space and is easy to handle.
With the masthead sloop, you can expect top performance while cruising. This is another quality build that you can live aboard too.
10. Ericson 46
{{boat-info="/boats/ericson-46"}}
The largest boat that Ericson put together was the 46 , coming in just shy of 46 feet and about a seven-foot draft. With another masthead sloop design, you can rest assured the performance will be there.
There were actually two versions, one that is a racer and one that is a cruiser. Over a three-year period, only 20 of these were built. Depending on which one you find, there will be slight adjustments to the performance package.
Why Erickson Boats Are Popular
A lot of nautical miles have been made on Ericson boats over the years and for a good reason. They were quality boats that had a classic look, easy to handle, and were affordable.
Back in 1965, these were primarily cruising sailboats that later adapted to a hybrid of a family-oriented cruiser. Other models specifically included fin keels, excellent bustle, and spade rudders for better performance.
You will definitely find better modern boats that have more luxury, speed, and performance compared to something that was built in the 60s to the 80s. But for the price and nostalgia, it is hard to pass up a classic like Ericson.
What to Look for in Used Ericson Boats
As with any used boat, you need to thoroughly inspect it before trying to purchase one. This means going over the sails, mast, deck, engines, and anything else that catches your eye.
Potential Cracking
There have been some reports of very early models having cracks in the deck or mast. It is hard to blame them, since many boat designs have come a long way from over 40 years of being in the water. While very few have those reports, it is worth having it inspected by a professional before buying one.
Be Happy to Walk Away
Before committing to one, make sure that you know all of the histories before buying one. This will help you tremendously before you fall in love with its beauty.
Walking away and thinking it over for a few days can greatly help your buying process. You never know how urgent a seller might be, so you might end up getting a better deal on the price if you do decide to buy it after walking away.
Why an Ericson Sailboat Could Work for You
Ericson sailboats were unique luxury yachts that were built for speed. In addition, they had enough luxury on the inside that you could spend days or live on them for a period of time.
You typically can find one for a good price, which is why they are popular compared to other boats. With similar comparisons to other top-of-the-line sailboats, they make for a competitive option.
Luxury and Price
For those that want to buy an Ericson, they are all about luxury and performance for a good price . Since most models are over 40 years old, they are reasonably priced.
Depending on the size and model, almost all of the Ericson sailboats can be found within any budget. If you have experience fixing up boats, an Ericson can be worth its weight in gold.
Living Space
Customers that typically want an Ericson enjoy the amount of living space that it offers. On top of that, it provides the speed of comparable racers or cruisers that you will find today.
If you want a boat that allows you to live on to your own standards or race as you like, Ericson boats are the way to go. They offer the perfect blend of performance and comfort.
Stiff Builds
Ericson sailboats were strongly built and have a stiff feel to them. If a stiff boat is something you are after, the Ericson models are a good fit.
This means they have a different feel when sailing. If you were to buy one, it might take some getting used to if you have only handled newer boats.
Since Ericson boats have limited builds for each year that they were produced, you likely will not see them that often. They offer a nostalgic and classic look that only a few boats provide.
This creates a sense of urgency when buying. It is important to proceed with caution and check out the boat properly before you decide to jump on one.
The Rise and Fall of Ericson
Ericson was founded in 1963 and had a few molds to base designs of boats on to get started. After about a year and a half of poor production, they filed for bankruptcy since they were not hitting the mark with customers on their designs.
They were purchased in 1965 by Mark Pitman and Del Walton, who also hired Bruce King to begin designing their lineups. King is responsible for many of the best boats offered by Ericson, who even fine tuned some of his own creations a few years later.
Later in 1968, Pacific American Industries bought out Ericson and continued to produce similar models. CML group later purchased the brand and operated from 1971 to 1984.
Pacific Seacraft later bought the molds for various models, like Ericson 34 and 38 to move on with production. The brand continued to move forward with the same old designs without many changes.
Since the brand never pushed to market its products and management was lazy in trying to think of what the market wanted, sales dipped in the late 1990s. They never went boating shows or much of anything to promote their lineup. This caused Ericson to shut down for good.
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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
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Ericson 38-200 -- What to Look For?
- Thread starter freediver
- Start date Feb 25, 2021
Junior Member
- Feb 25, 2021
We are going to look at a 38-200 for sale. Cosmetically, it looks great but the asking price seems on the high side. It has a new engine, trans, and folding prop (big plusses) and new racing instruments (nice) but is lacking some essentials, IMHO (working autopilot, working radar, chartplotter) and needs a new set of sails. I don't expect to find the perfect boat (if one were ever made) set up with my perfect list of equipment. And I know that I can look at a lot of specifics that are good value add-ons (new drivetrain) and also negative value detractors (essential but easily added--if expensive--equipment) to come up with my own personal value of the boat. But what else, specific to Ericsons and/or this model, should I be looking at? What "hidden" but routine problems are there? Are chain plates an issue? Blister issues on a 1986 model? Keel slippage/cracks? Other factory or design defects I should be aware of. I am not aware of any known major problems with E 38-200s. But I defer to the owners of these boats for advice. What say ye?
Loren Beach
O34 - portland, or.
IF it had an AP, plotter, or radar, they would only add value if under a decade in age, and preferably newer than that. Technology moves petty fast. That said, they may work without problem for another decade. Sails can be older, and wear and stretch will determine when they need replacing. An engine/trans/instrument panel in a boat of that size can easily cost $20K to replace so that is a significant part of the value. Is there any record of the age of the standing rig? The 80's Ericson's have forged "U bolts" on the deck that pass the rigging load thru to the interior structure. Those big SS bolts need to have close inspection for stress cracks - and while rarely, sometimes they do need replacing. At around 3 decades, all boats including Ericson's, should have all of the deck fitings re-bedded. We are just finishing that project on our '88 model. If hired out, the labor is expensive, but it's not very technical work and most any interested owner can do this.
Sustaining Member
You didn't provide the listing, but, just based on what you've described, I'd have to guess the asking price is about $60K - maybe more if she's in overall good condition on deck and down below. As Loren said, the new engine, tranny and folding prop are high-$ items. They probably represent at least 1/3 of the real value of the boat today. Loren's also right about the electronics you'd like but are missing - it lets you decide what makes and models you want, and add them as need and $ are available. Those are things you can definitely install yourself.
Loren Beach said: IF it had an AP, plotter, or radar, they would only add value if under a decade in age, and preferably newer than that. Technology moves petty fast. That said, they may work without problem for another decade. Sails can be older, and wear and stretch will determine when they need replacing. An engine/trans/instrument panel in a boat of that size can easily cost $20K to replace so that is a significant part of the value. Is there any record of the age of the standing rig? The 80's Ericson's have forged "U bolts" on the deck that pass the rigging load thru to the interior structure. Those big SS bolts need to have close inspection for stress cracks - and while rarely, sometimes they do need replacing. At around 3 decades, all boats including Ericson's, should have all of the deck fitings re-bedded. We are just finishing that project on our '88 model. If hired out, the labor is expensive, but it's not very technical work and most any interested owner can do this. Click to expand...
nquigley said: You didn't provide the listing, but, just based on what you've described, I'd have to guess the asking price is about $60K - maybe more if she's in overall good condition on deck and down below. As Loren said, the new engine, tranny and folding prop are high-$ items. They probably represent at least 1/3 of the real value of the boat today. Loren's also right about the electronics you'd like but are missing - it lets you decide what makes and models you want, and add them as need and $ are available. Those are things you can definitely install yourself. Click to expand...
Christian Williams
E381 - los angeles.
Chartplotter--$500-1,000 Wheel pilot--$1200 Radar--do you really need it? The 38s have no known defects such as keel issues, blisters, design flaws. Most have wear and tear of the sort a marine surveyor routinely identifies. An asking price of $70K does not seem high to me for a boat that's been maintained, and the seller is probably expecting to get $65K. If the sails are shot even that is unrealistic. If you provide the listing members can be more specific as to pros and cons.
1984 E30+ Ludington, MI
Ericson 38-200 boats for sale | yachtworld.
Christian Williams said: Chartplotter--$500-1,000 Wheel pilot--$1200 Radar--do you really need it? The 38s have no known defects such as keel issues, blisters, design flaws. Most have wear and tear of the sort a marine surveyor routinely identifies. An asking price of $70K does not seem high to me for a boat that's been maintained, and the seller is probably expecting to get $65K. If the sails are shot even that is unrealistic. If you provide the listing members can be more specific as to pros and cons. Click to expand...
Dave G. said: Is it this one ? Ericson 38-200 boats for sale | YachtWorld Find Ericson 38-200 for sale on YachtWorld Europe's largest marketplace for boats & yachts. We connect over 10 million boat buyers and sellers each year! www.yachtworld.com Click to expand...
Looks like a nice one in the photos & lots of recent high $ fixes already done. Sails will be costly though so keep that in mind when negotiating.
She looks to be in really good overall condition! Very nice dodger too (that would cost you ~$3K to get made professionally). The claimed $40K spent in recent upgrades is probably pretty accurate: those things didn't bring it back to as-new condition, but the asking price seems reasonable to me - I see they've already reduced it this month by 2K. We don't know how keen they are to offload it, but I'd guess (with a good survey report) that it might go for just a shade under $70K (?), but not much less than that. There seems to be a strong market at the moment for boats in this size and price range. Good Luck with your inspection on the weekend - exciting!
Curator of Broken Parts
1990 Erickson 38-200, Fast & Comfortable - boats - by owner - marine...
If it's at all helpful - I purchased a 1989 38-200, freshwater only boat, 2 years ago for 60% of what they're asking. Of major things you've mentioned we do have the "catalina smile" with some cosmetic separation at the hull/keel join. The keel was supposedly dropped and re-bedded several years before we purchased. There aren't signs of water weeping out. I plan to grind, glass, and fair it prior to new bottom paint this spring, as recommended by our survey. He was unconcerned about structural integrity and chalked it up to the new 5200 bond flexing. Mine has the original engine and 2 blade prop. I'm upgrading all of the instruments and electronics. The radar in this listing is similar to the one I replaced on our boat. Ours came with an almost new foam luff furling jib, but our main is due for replacement. I see an Autohelm 3000 in the listing. We have the same wheel pilot and it has worked well for us, especially once I found out I could pour water on it to stop the squeaking. But we're so far just day sailors that really like hand steering and haven't had to rely on it in a pinch or shorthanded. It mostly drives when we motor. We had the standing rigging replaced this winter, as ours was original. I've replaced hatch and portlight lenses (and I differ from Christian in that I thought this was a pretty cheap fix, except the time required), and above waterline through hulls. Re bedded some but not all deck hardware- the handrails, pump out receptacle and one stanchion base needed it, others as convenience has allowed. I'm in process of replacing all of the head hoses. I'd be happy to share our survey, the used-boat price listings we got from our broker, and anything else that would be of help. Looks like a really nice boat to me, but I think the price is a bit high. I am sure I'd change my tune in a heartbeat if our diesel needs replacement soon. It's fascinating to me to see the difference between this layout and ours, for two 38-200s three years apart. Ours has a recessed companionway with engine underneath. The electrical panels are also very different. Not sure if this listings is a replacement?
I also have the keel smile, it's no big deal and when I walk around the yacht club many other boats have keel smiles as well. Based on my expereicne look very closely at the backing plates for the thruhulls and seacocks. Ercison used wood (teak?) but over the years they can start to rot away. Look for leaking around these backing plates.
Good comments and videos. I will see more of the boat Saturday and will return and report to the forum.
Christian Williams said: So there is a 38-200 without the extra small portlight that I have been telling everybody was one profile identification? And a companionway that is not recessed? Or are the sailing pix (in link) of a forward-head model....being a close sistership? View attachment 37364 Click to expand...
The layout in the link does not seem to match the pictures of the boat. The pictures show an aft-head boat with the engine under the sink instead of the companionway. I have read about some owners who have had problems with the sink leaking onto the engine. My dad was a plumber (as was I for a while) so I am pretty sure I can resolve any such problems.
The sailing pics do look more like a 381 than a 38-200, strange. According to sailboatdata.com the 2 models overlap for a year or 2 so maybe it was a Friday after lunch ?
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Should I buy an Ericson 38?
- Thread starter Darryl19205
- Start date May 18, 2006
- Brand-Specific Forums
- Other Sailboats
Darryl19205
I am considering buying an Ericson 38 (1986) and I want to talk with someone about the pros and cons of this boat. I'm interested in keeping it in Mexico, either in San Carlos or Puerto Vallarta. I understand that it's not a "blue water" boat, but I'd like to know how stable it is for cruising the mainland of Mexico or crossing the Sea of Cortez. What kind of keel does it have? How does it compare with other sailboats? I like the idea of full keel sailboats, but understand that they're not-very maneuverable. Is there a boat that's sort of halfway between a light weight and full keel boat? What other kinds of sailboats should I also be considering. Etc. I'd like to open up discussion with someone who can give me some good advice. Thanks! Darryl
To North or Knot? Darryl, Good question, and all the mates can do is give advice as we know it.Keep asking questions, go to Yachtworld.com bring up Erickson's and etc. You are better off not keeping a vessel south of La Paz, they have cheap moorings there, and the yard storage is very affordable too. Further south better get good hurricaine insuance. Some of these marinas are a bit tight and a fin is much easier to swing on than a full keel. I owned an Erickson, in another life, a 30' a good little yacht, built well but I'd prefer a Morgan, Pearson or Westsail for offshore. All in All I'm thinking and Erickson stands up to most, and the hull is stronger than Hunter, Benny-toe, Jenneau et al...
yes.... the e38 is a great cruisin' platform...let me know if you are open to partnerships, as i am in colorado and l@@kin' to get into / acess to a e38 - 82-86 in mexico or so calif...i am a priviate pilot and mexico is hrs away from the denver area...i worked at ericson inc for a number of years and have expierence w/the ericson line...they are well built, and hold their value pretty well...they do nor sail half bad either!!.. ;-) richard / colorado
keel... the e38's came w/a shola or full keel...i think tere were a few winged keels as well...this, from the irvine, ca factory....all 3 have their good points and draw backs....
Cruising an E-38 My family (4) cruised on a '84 E-38 for 2 years continuously(owned for 4 years, lived aboard for 2.5 yrs). Our only complaint was the tight engine compartment and some undersized wiring in the harness...all easily fixed. I added a Mars bulb to the keel making the vessel less tender which also helped with pointing and carried a bit more sail longer. The Autoprop we installed made handling much easier and a bit quicker. Maybe it isn't a bluewater boat, but a lot of bluewater passed under our keel. Our previous boat was an E-30+ that we raced and cruised on throughout the Gulf of Mexico. We never experienced a structual problem with our Ericsons...even after getting knocked down one night in a sudden gale with too much sail up in our E-38. I think the E-38 is a great vessel for the money.
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
A detailed review of the Ericson 38, a conservative and popular cruising boat designed by Bruce King and built by Pacific Seacraft. Learn about its hull, deck, accommodation, engine, performance, and common flaws.
Boat Review Forum. SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, ... Ericson 38 I know of at least one Ericson 38 that did a circumnavigation some years ago (Maverick was the boat name IIRC). ...
A review of the Ericson 380, a traditional cruising yacht with a fine bow entry, a fin keel and a spade rudder. Learn about its history, design, rig, deck, interior, performance and equipment.
9. 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.
Feb 25, 2021. #1. We are going to look at a 38-200 for sale. Cosmetically, it looks great but the asking price seems on the high side. It has a new engine, trans, and folding prop (big plusses) and new racing instruments (nice) but is lacking some essentials, IMHO (working autopilot, working radar, chartplotter) and needs a new set of sails.
6. - - TBD. May 18, 2006. #1. I am considering buying an Ericson 38 (1986) and I want to talk with someone about the pros and cons of this boat. I'm interested in keeping it in Mexico, either in San Carlos or Puerto Vallarta. I understand that it's not a "blue water" boat, but I'd like to know how stable it is for cruising the mainland of ...
Kohlmann ran the company until Pacific Seacraft bought the molds for the 38 (and 35s) in 1990, with which they built the first new 380 in 1991. There were a lot of renditions of the original 38-foot Ericson. The changes over time affected just about every part of the boat except for its basic hull design and characteristic lines.
The ERICSON 38-200 was introduced in 1986? which shared the same hull but with new deck, coach roof and interior. ... New Topic + Latest Topics: Be the first one to create a topic + Calculations Help. SA/Disp.: A sail area/displacement ratio below 16 would be considered under powered; 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance; above ...
Ericson 38 is a 37′ 7″ / 11.5 m monohull sailboat designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts between 1979 and 1987. ... The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more. Formula. D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³ D: Displacement of the boat in pounds. LWL ...
The Boat: 1983 Ericson 381. length 38ft, beam 12ft, Displacement @15,000lbs. Mars Metal "bulb" added to shoal draft fin keel and spade rudder. Fuel 39gal, water 65gal, holding 35gal. If you don't know Ericsons they are pretty well built, better than the average coastal cruiser type from that era.
Posts: 6,197. Having just run the numbers (specs) yesterday on all the Ericson line for my own cruising shopping, the 38 came out on the waaaay bottom - meaning it sucks as a blue water cruiser. Surprisingly, the ones to look at are - from best to good: 39, 35-1 or 35-2, 37 or 31, 35-3 SM PS: Never believe an owner.
Learn about the features, performance, and history of ERICSON 38, a sailboat built by Ericson Yachts and designed by Bruce King. Find out its dimensions, rigging, ballast, auxiliary power, and more.
There's a discussion of Ericson keels at Boat Review - Ericson 38 - Southwinds, July 2002 looks like there a wing at 5'3" that might be worth trying...stiff is a very relative term. The Ericson 38 is a sweet boat, as is the sister design Ericson 35 mark II.
Boats/Boat Model > ERICSON 38-200. ERICSON 38-200 Detailed Review. 1 of 2. 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 38-200. Built by Ericson Yachts (USA) and designed by Bruce King, the boat was first built in 1986. It has a hull type ...
The popular Ericson 38 was updated with a new deck and interior layout from 1986-- 1990 named the 38-200. This 1989 model year example is like a time machine taking you back to what a nearly new Ericson 38 would have looked like condition wise, yet with many modern upgrades like a 2024 Raymarine electronics package including radar, new Sea ...
Ericson Yachts Information. Download Boat Record: Notes. Updated version of the Ericson 38 originally launched in 1980, including a completely redesigned interior. Pacific Seacraft purchased the molds when Ericson closed its doors in 1990. Draft-Wing or Bulb: 5.25ft / 1.6m. Lead ballast-Wing or Bulb: 6,400 lbs / 2,903 kg.
The Ericson 39 SailboatSpecs & Key Performance Indicators. The Ericson 39 Sailboat. 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.
Find Ericson 38 boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Ericson boats to choose from.
The ERICSON 38-200 shared the same hull, keel, rudder, with earlier versions (ERICSON 38x) but had a new deck and interior with a recessed companionway. Shoal draft: 4.92' / 1.50m. Wing keel: 5.00' / 1.52m. Thanks to Christian Williams of ericsonyachts.org for providing corrections.
Some of the best-known Ericson models currently listed include: 34, 27, 30 Plus, 35 and 35 MKIII. Ericson models are available through yacht brokers, dealers, and brokerages on YachtWorld. The listings encompass a range of years, starting from 1970 models up to 1997. Find Ericson boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld.
The ERICSON 38-200 shared the same hull, keel, rudder, with earlier versions (ERICSON 38x) but had a new deck and interior with a recessed companionway. Shoal draft: 4.92′ / 1.50m Wing keel: 5.00′ / 1.52m Thanks to Christian Williams of ericsonyachts.org for providing corrections.