ericson yachts forum

Ericson Yachts, Inc. was a pioneering builder of fiberglass yachts. Ericson is now out of business, but its designs have been reproduced periodically by other manufacturers. is an excellent online resource for Ericson owners as well since the corporate site was taken down in 2000.

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This one we have been looking at for a long time. Never seen the boat in person. https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1983/ericson-mk-iii-2557334/ The story is that there is a noticeable soft deck forward. The broker thinks the boat will go for 25, not 35. This is the opposite of what I had planned on doing. I had planned on paying extra for a creampuff, not a project. Do you see anything I should keep an eye out for? Will take my own pictures. I notice that most of the stuff that says new is really 10 to 15 years old so not new. That being said I could do a lot of the deck repair myself.  

Generous tankage  

Tankage is only a issue if you are sailing where access to fuel and water is limited. I found I used so little fuel cruising in Southern NE / LIS that this not an issue as all harbors have gas docks with water.. and many have multiple ones. Off shore you may need larger tanks... if you motor ALOT. Our 36HP burns about .6 gal / hr and we can do over six knots using the motor. Unless we are becalmed we only run the engine to cool the frig and make hot water and push amps into the batts.. but that's only a few hrs a day. So we can do about 30 days of non motoring use and we do motor sail when were charging and cooling. On top of that we do bunker 15 or 20 gallons in jerry cans. I was able to sail from LIS to Brazil with a 36HP diesel and a ~40 gal diesel tank and ~70 gallons of water (we don't drink water from the tanks although we can through a filter if we boil it) 34 years... never ran out of water or fuel.  

Pics look nice. Would need to know more about the soft deck. If easily contained and reasonable to assume it isn't a board issue, it may not be a deal breaker. I would only pay value, less what it would pay a pro yard to fully repair. Most sellers aren't interesting in that resultant number. Doesn't seem to have the helm wheel access you're hoping for?  

If the rest of the boat is as well kept as the engine bay I would say she might be a good prospect... if everything else looks that good. :grin  

Hey, I've been to Spicer's a few times. Nice place and the people are very friendly. In all honesty that ad made me laugh out loud: A certain aura dwells in the Ericson 35. It's something in the graceful way it sails and behaves, looks and feels. Its form harmonizes perfectly with its function. The high-aspect rig, with tapered mast and double spreaders, produces less windage and lower weight aloft, and provides optimal performance in light to moderate winds. I admit I'm not very psychic. I have never noticed the aura of any boat and I be VERY surprised if an Ericson had a 'certain' aura, whatever that means. It's a boat, it's pretty when sailing. A U-shaped galley has features to please the most exacting chef. Hot and cold pressure water run to a 10" deep stainless steel sink, chopping block insert, and fresh and salt water foot pumps. Aft there is an insulated 6.5-cubic-foot ice box, and a second insulated 2.5-cubic-foot ice box forward. A gimballed, three-bumer CNG stove with oven, safety rail and removable countertop makes preparing meals a breeze. I guess the chef's I know are more exacting because I have never seen one that was pleased with the galley on a 35' boat. This section really made me laugh The Ericson 35 has an attitude toward privacy rarely found even on custom luxury yachts. Forward, behind a teak panel door, is the owner's stateroom with an astonishing array of amenities. A dressing area with a comfortable, cushioned seat. A unique hanging locker with room for sea boots. Other storage cuddies, drawers and shelves. And an enormous 6'6" by 5'6" double berth. Privacy on a 35' boat? Forget it. Unique hanging locker - like on every other boat? Enormous bed? Compared to what, a bed for elves? The boat looks nice and Ericsons have a good reputation. In all honesty it doesn't seem any different than many 35' boats. To me it looks just like a C&C 35 mark 3. And quite similar to a Frers 33, Sabre 34, Tartan, etc. IMHO they are more alike than different. There is a lot of wood to maintain. Nice if you like the way it looks. Not so nice if you want to keep it varnished and shiny. As you noted, the 'new' gear is new to the boat, as in not original, but how can you describe 10 year old running rigging as new? NEW Racor fuel filter 2007 - what does that even mean? The sails are ancient. Anyway, this is probably a good deal at $25K. No way would I consider spending $35, unless the deck was perfect. Good luck, Barry  

BarryL said: Hey, I've been to Spicer's a few times. Nice place and the people are very friendly. In all honesty that ad made me laugh out loud: A certain aura dwells in the Ericson 35. It's something in the graceful way it sails and behaves, looks and feels. Its form harmonizes perfectly with its function. The high-aspect rig, with tapered mast and double spreaders, produces less windage and lower weight aloft, and provides optimal performance in light to moderate winds. I admit I'm not very psychic. I have never noticed the aura of any boat and I be VERY surprised if an Ericson had a 'certain' aura, whatever that means. It's a boat, it's pretty when sailing. A U-shaped galley has features to please the most exacting chef. Hot and cold pressure water run to a 10" deep stainless steel sink, chopping block insert, and fresh and salt water foot pumps. Aft there is an insulated 6.5-cubic-foot ice box, and a second insulated 2.5-cubic-foot ice box forward. A gimballed, three-bumer CNG stove with oven, safety rail and removable countertop makes preparing meals a breeze. I guess the chef's I know are more exacting because I have never seen one that was pleased with the galley on a 35' boat. This section really made me laugh The Ericson 35 has an attitude toward privacy rarely found even on custom luxury yachts. Forward, behind a teak panel door, is the owner's stateroom with an astonishing array of amenities. A dressing area with a comfortable, cushioned seat. A unique hanging locker with room for sea boots. Other storage cuddies, drawers and shelves. And an enormous 6'6" by 5'6" double berth. Privacy on a 35' boat? Forget it. Unique hanging locker - like on every other boat? Enormous bed? Compared to what, a bed for elves? The boat looks nice and Ericsons have a good reputation. In all honesty it doesn't seem any different than many 35' boats. To me it looks just like a C&C 35 mark 3. And quite similar to a Frers 33, Sabre 34, Tartan, etc. IMHO they are more alike than different. There is a lot of wood to maintain. Nice if you like the way it looks. Not so nice if you want to keep it varnished and shiny. As you noted, the 'new' gear is new to the boat, as in not original, but how can you describe 10 year old running rigging as new? NEW Racor fuel filter 2007 - what does that even mean? The sails are ancient. Anyway, this is probably a good deal at $25K. No way would I consider spending $35, unless the deck was perfect. Good luck, Barry Click to expand...

Pictures look good. Very Clean engine bay! Check the sails! I think you need to go see it! I'm sure others will disagree, but a boat with a 6'2" draft would not be my 1st choice here in the NE, or if you plan on taking the ditch south. I know it's done ! Just my personal preference.  

6ft is limiting on the ICW, but I don't find our 6.5ft draft limiting much at all in NE. There is the occasional close to shore spot, which I just anchor behind. Onset is the only harbor I actively recall being a problem (there must be a couple more I suppose), but NE has so many others, I give it almost no notice. I even contemplated a 7.5 draft and didn't think it would impinge on our NE cruising.  

Like I said, I know it's done everyday! It just wouldn't be my " Personal" choice. Onset is a pretty useful harbor when transiting the canal, though not the only one. North Cove on the Conn. River is a nice little anchorage but skinny, And, I should have been more specific and included the Mid-Atlantic in my comment, There are a lot of spots on the Chesapeake where having a shoal draft is advantageous. Certainly, If David is Thinking about heading south, as he has often mentioned, having a shoal draft is very helpful in the ditch and beyond. Doable, with 6'2" sure! Just not my "preference".  

eherlihy said: ...That O'day 35 gave you access to a boat with a swim platform. Once you've had one, it is hard to look at any boat without one.... Click to expand...

Hull Completely re-gelcoated with NEW rub rail 1999 - am I the only one that suspects that there was storm damage to this vessel in 1999? I would be willing to bet that the boat was sold in the 2006/2007 timeframe. The Lavac head is a definite upgrade, although I still prefer a Vacuflush.  

Maybe an insurance claim paid out. If so all shouldve been fixed  

Buy the CS. Its a better boat. Jeff  

Dunno what the change from cng to propane will involve  

mine was mark II different layout, different issues and sailed different as mkII was a different boat. mk II was very fast sailor..is why i chose formosa for cruising. pearson bought ericson before mk III was created. may have a different issue but do check mast step as that is a big issue in mk II, and leakage creates much interior bulkhead damages. other wise was goood boat. was fun to sail and play with. looks like mk III has much more storage than mk II.. looks better for cruising. packing gland is a monkey issue--need one tiny one with skillzzz to maintain and address issues.  

zeehag said: Pearson bought Ericson before mk III was created. may have a different issue but do check mast step as that is a big issue in mk II, and leakage creates much interior bulkhead damages. other wise was goood boat. was fun to sail and play with. Click to expand...

so in 1983 when pearson and ericson merged it was a lie.. ok.. gotcha. must have merely been boatshow lies..hahahahaha. HOWEVER, ericson WAS purchased by another company in early mid 1980s... History Ericson Yachts was founded by Handy and Jenkins in about 1963. They began with molds bought from a defunct builder as well as from an enterprising dump operator. After a year or two of operation, they filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy and were subsequently purchased by Mark Pitman and Del Walton in 1965. During this period yacht designer Bruce King's first production designs were built. They were the E-30, E-32 Scorpion, E-41, E-35-2, and the E-23. In 1968 Ericson was sold to Pacific American Industries, Roland Mayotte Chairman. Mark Pitman stayed on as president, and Del Walton stayed on as VP of sales. The new facility on Deere Ave in Irvine was built by PAI. During this period the E-32-2, E-29, E-39, E-27, and E-46 were built. 1.64 In 1971 Ericson was sold to CML, Charles Leighton Chairman. Mark Pitman left, and Del Walton became president. During this period the E-25, E-37, E-23-2, E-36C, Madcap (custom 40) (Ericson 41 1967-1971 1-50 Hauls 41'Ocean Racer) E-31C/Independence 31,E-34-R/E-34-T, E-30-2/30+ were produced. In 1978 Red Cavaney replaced Del Walton as president. The E-25+/26, E-38/E-381/E-38-200 were produced. In 1981 Eugene Kohlmann replaced Red Caveney as president. The E-35-3/E-34, E-32-3, and the E-28 were produced. In 1985 Ericson was sold by CML to Acquico, Eugene Kohlmann president. In 1990 Ericson ceased operations and liquidated assets. Some of the molds the E-26, E-28, E-32, E-34, E-38, and E-43 (never built) were bought by Pacific Seacraft, a subsidiary of Singmarine Corp. Pacific Seacraft itself was purchased by Southern Californian businessman Jeffrey Emery in September 1998. Hull #1,[1] E-32 Scorpion resides in Oregon, built in 1965, and is possibly the first production Ericson. Ericson owners support a well-regarded Web site featuring articles on maintenance and use of the many models:  

zeehag said: so in 1983 when pearson and ericson merged it was a lie.. ok.. gotcha. must have merely been boatshow lies..hahahahaha. HOWEVER, ericson WAS purchased by another company in early mid 1980s... History Ericson Yachts was founded by Handy and Jenkins in about 1963. They began with molds bought from a defunct builder as well as from an enterprising dump operator. Another Pearson connection to Ericson. One of the first boat models Ericson produced was the E35 Mk I. The hull had an uncanny resemblance to the Pearson Alberg 35. Pearson had a factory in the Bay Area that produced the early Pearson designs to eliminate the shipping cost from the East Coast. There weren't enough sales to justify the factory and Pearson shut it down and hired someone to destroy the molds and dispose of the remains. Very soon there after Ericson began making the E35 Mk I with its uncanny hull resemblance to the Pearson Alberg 35. Believe there were also other molds that, with the same mysterious origin, turned up as the basis of other builders sailboats. Had it from a Glass Professional that the E35 MkI hull was indeed splashed from the Pearson molds though they did at least go to the trouble of making a different deck. Ericson hired him to clean up the Pearson Mold and work on the new deck mold paying him with a hull and deck. Click to expand...

That is not exactly right either. The Pearsons that were built in California were built by Aeromarine Plastics. They were originally built under contract. Grumman bought Aeromarine Plastics from one of the Coleman (cooler) family slightly before they bought Pearson. The Grumman connection is where the name came from. Under Coleman, Aeromarine had been building the Rhodes Bounty II, and when Grumman bought Pearson the Bounty II became the Pearson Rhodes 41. Aeromarine existed after Ericson was started, but the Triton and Alberg 35 were phased out around that time so the story of the source of the molds may be accurate, but I would sooner expected Grumman to have sold them off. Jeff  

Stop by the Ericson forum. Many owners of the same model there, and members can answer any Ericson question. EY.o Information Exchange  

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