Ericson 35 Is A Nice Family Cruiser With Sound Construction

Is there anyone else out there who would like some sort of standardization for designers and boat builders naming and identifying their various models?

We are going to take a look at the Ericson 35 (at 34 feet, 8 inches), circa 1969-1982. This is not to be confused with the Ericson 35 (at 34 feet, 9 inches), circa 1965; or the Ericson 35 (at 35 feet, 6 inches), circa 1983-1990; or the Ericson 36 (at 35 feet, 7 inches), circa 1982-1986; or the Ericson 34 (at 34 feet, 10 inches), circa 1987-1996. See where I'm coming from?

Introduced in 1969, this cruiser-racer was designed by Bruce King, continued in production until 1982 and was one of Ericson's most successful designs. Nearly 600 boats were built. In a classic sense, this is a great looking boat with a pronounced sheer and very well balanced overhangs. The trunk cabin is nicely proportioned and extends far enough forward to allow good standing headroom in the forward cabin.

This Ericson 35 is representative of a transition period in cruiser-racer design. When this Ericson 35 was introduced, the Cruising Club of America (CCA) rating rule was in effect. However, the International Offshore Rule (IOR) was gaining considerable support and loomed large on the horizon. Influences of late CCA, early IOR and even 12-meter rules can be seen in this design. In fact, the Ericson 35 had a very successful racing career under the CCA rule and continued to be competitive through the early years as an IOR racer.

Construction of this Ericson 35 utilizes a solid laminate of fiberglass cloth and plastic resins in the hull. Hulls were built in split molds resulting in two halves that were joined on the centerline. This is a common method of construction that allows boats with a molded inward flange at the sheer for joining the deck or boats with tumblehome hull sections to be removed, once cured, from the mold. Provided With adequate reinforcement and sound secondary bonding, such construction is perfectly acceptable. I have not heard of nor seen any problems with the hull joint of Ericson boats over the years.

But an Ericson 35 of this vintage does have a few common and persistent problems. In the area where rigging chain plates penetrate the deck, some degree of deck leaks is common. If these leaks have been ignored, the main bulkhead, to which the chain plates are attached, may be delaminated or rotted. Plywood was generally used to add strength to the deck composite where hardware is attached, but in some cases, attachments were poorly bedded and leaked. This has lead to the deterioration of the plywood core, severely weakening these attachments. Other safety concerns or annoyances include the use of gate valve closures on the through hull fittings of older models, the use of tern plate steel fuel tanks that are prone to rust and failure, and use of a ¾-inch diameter propeller shaft that may be prone to failure. Most Ericson 35s of this era exhibit some degree of mild osmotic blistering, though it is unusual to find severe blistering.

Nearly 40 years after its introduction, the Ericson 35 still performs respectably. With an updating of sail handling gear and good sails, a number of boats still compete and win. The sail area displacement of 16.4 is quite high for a boat of this period. Combined with a relatively narrow beam of 10 feet and a draft of 4 feet and 11 inches, the result is a boat that may not stand up well to a blow and is likely to develop more than a normal amount of weather helm if a sail area reduction does not accompany an increase in wind velocity. Otherwise, you are likely to find that this boat has no particular bad habits sailing either upwind or down.

Despite its relatively narrow beam, the interior arrangement of the Ericson 35 is roomy and well thought out. There is a V-berth forward followed by head and lockers. The main saloon offers either a port side dinette and starboard side settee or port and starboard settees. Aft there is a starboard side galley and port side quarter berth and navigation station. The cockpit of this boat is very large and separated by a full-depth thwart on which the traveler is mounted. Steering may be by either a tiller mounted forward of the thwart or a wheel mounted aft.

Until 1973 all Ericson 35s were built with Universal Atomic-4 gas engines. After 1973, several diesel engine options were offered. Engine installation on early model boats, with the dinette option, was beneath the aft end of the dinette. On the double settee model, engines were located in the more standard location beneath the companionway.

Ericsons generally enjoy a good reputation for quality, sound construction and style. This should prove to be a nice family cruiser that won't put you in the poor house.

Jack Hornor, NA is the principal surveyor and senior designer for the Annapolis-based Marine Survey & Design Co. Hornor writes for BoatU.S. Magazine and other marine publications.

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