ericson 26 sailboat

ERICSON 26-2 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of ERICSON 26-2. Built by Ericson Yachts (USA) and designed by Bruce King, the boat was first built in 1972. It has a hull type of Fin w/spade rudder and LOA is 7.85. Its sail area/displacement ratio 17.32. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Westerbeke, runs on Diesel.

ERICSON 26-2 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about ERICSON 26-2 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the ericson 26-2.

ERICSON 26-2 was designed by Bruce King.

Who builds ERICSON 26-2?

ERICSON 26-2 is built by Ericson Yachts (USA).

When was ERICSON 26-2 first built?

ERICSON 26-2 was first built in 1972.

How long is ERICSON 26-2?

ERICSON 26-2 is 6.68 m in length.

What is mast height on ERICSON 26-2?

ERICSON 26-2 has a mast height of 9.6 m.

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Ericson 26 2

The ericson 26 2 is a 25.75ft fractional sloop designed by bruce king and built in fiberglass by ericson yachts (usa) since 1972..

The Ericson 26 2 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat. The fuel capacity is originally very small. There is a very short water supply range.

Ericson 26 2 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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Ericson 26 vs. Pearson 27

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My wife and I are considering either an Ericson 26 or a Pearson 27 for our first sailboat to cruise on long weekends off the Maine coast. I''d be interested in any comments pro or con either sailboat.  

SailorMitch, Have you joined the Pearson Current?? I''ve looked at their site, but haven''t joined. We also love our OLD Pearson. 1973 P-33. A Shaw designed, no frills, great sailing boat. When I was a teenager, my family had a mid-60s Pearson Vanguard. Prettier, but I believe the P-33 is a better sailor.  

I''m familiar with the Pearson Current, and the National Pearson Yacht Owner''s Association, but have never joined. It gets mixed reviews primarily because the fellow who runs it, Bill Lawrence, keeps it a one man show. It''s more than he can handle, so the usefulness of the organization and the information is limited. I am Vice Commodore of the Pearson Sailing Association of the Chesapeake Bay, so get my Pearson info fix that way. But our group in no way tries to compete with NPYOA. We have a couple of land events a year and rendezvous every month during sailing season. We also publish a newsletter, which was intermittent last year, but WILL be more frequent this year. The older P-33''s are nice sailing boats from what I hear. It no doubt sails better than my 27 with it''s winged keel. But the volume below on my boat would probably surprise you, too. Where do you sail? Just wondering is all.  

SailorMithch, We''re in Oriental, NC. Planning a trip to Chesapeake the year. Hopefull leave Oriental around Memorial Day and return Oct; throught the Dismal Swamp canal. I''ve not been sailing in Chesapeake in many years, and really looking forward to it. No particular plans yet. Where are you?  

Dare -- I sail out of Rock Creek, near the mouth of the Patapsco River down from Baltimore. Pretty good area for sailing. Your trip will be great. Lots of terrific places to see on the bay. If you want some of my favorites, email me directly at [email protected]. The Pearson Sailing Assoc. sponsors rendezvous every month, primarily in the mid-northern bay. I''ll forward the schedule to you once we have it just in case you''d like to hook up with some other Pearsonites while you''re up this way.  

danapsy, Wow, lots of Pearson fans here! I''ve sailed extensively in both boats, if you reverse your footages, that is. Ericson 27, Pearson 26. My humble opinions here are assuming that these boats are all fairly similar. Anyone feel free to correct me if I''m wrong. (It has been known to happen!!) While they are both great boats, my vote is on the the Ericson. It sounds to me like your cruising is going to involve some wind and weather at some point, and the Ericson will take a heck of lot more and handle much better than the Pearson. I have double handed and single handed both boats. In my opinion, the Pearson is a lot more tender, and requires a reef or dropping the main altogether when the wind pipes up over 20 or so. The Ericson is also better at powering through waves. Good luck - would like to hear what you end up with!! KathieO  

While both the Pearson and Ericson are good vessels why not consider another boat in the same size range with similar a heritage from a company that is still in business? I once owned a Sabre 28 and it was a very nice cruising boat for two people with the benefit of a manufacturer currently making boats where you can still get information and support. An early 80s boat should have pressure water, diesel, wheel with autopilot, good storage and above all very seaworthy. The 28s were all solid fiberglass hull and very strong boats with tabbed bulkheads and furniture. Owners groups are helpful but they can’t send you new hatch boards or companionway frame from stock?  

Just a comment on what Kathie said. While I agree with her bottom line on reefing the Pearson at 20 knots plus, the P-26 she has sailed in is a far different boat from the P-27. The P-26 debuted in 1970, the P-27 in 1987. Bill Shaw learned quite a bit in those 17 years, especially how to get and use interior volume. The 27, while really only a few inches longer than the 26, is an all around bigger boat in all dimensions, especially displacement, LWL and beam. I haven''t sailed any Ericsons, but the P-27 handles rough water very well. I''ve had mine out in 30-40 knot winds on the Chesapeake and just completed a circumnavigation of the Delmarva Peninsula with 20-30 knot winds on the Delaware Bay. The 27 handled it all beautifully.  

Thanks for the information. A lot will depend on what is available in the Northeast. I am leaning toward a Pearson 27 because of the greater headroom, but there is an Ericson 26 available locally. There are some Pearson 27''s available in Massachusetts. Any ideas about buying in the off season given that a sea trial could not happen here in Maine until mid-April or slightly earlier in Massachusetts or Rhode Island? Would I be taking too big a chance if a portion of the price was held in escrow pending a sea trial, especially of the engine''s performance?  

I assume you''ll have the boat surveyed. I also suggest having a good diesel mechanic look at the engine. If you go with the P-27, the last one came out of the factory in late 1990 or early 1991 so the engine has some age on it. Pearson used Universals in about the first 2/3 of the run, and Westerbekes towards the end (from about hull number 188 or so on out of a total of about 235 boats.) Both are good engines, but I''d still recommend having a mechanic check them over. Still leave some money in escrow for the sea trial, or even put language in the contract that the sale is dependent upon a successful sea trial. Mitch  

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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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Ericson 26 – Leif

The Ericson 26s  Leif is a high-quality pocket cruiser with standing room and accommodations to comfortably sleep 4.  Leif is a family friendly, sturdy, but fast little cruiser equipped with a head and galley. The perfect boat for a weekend cruise!

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Ericson 26 Boats for sale

1988 Ericson 26

Gilford, New Hampshire

Make Ericson

Category Sailboats

Posted Over 1 Month

1988 Ericson 26 Patricia E is an ideal boat for the young family, or the veteran sailor.  Whether you're stepping down to a smaller boat, or up to your first keelboat, the performance and quality of the Ericson 26 will make you feel right at home.

1986 Ericson 26 DIESEL AUXILIARY SLOOP

East Tawas, Michigan

Model 26 DIESEL AUXILIARY SLOOP

1986 Ericson 26 DIESEL AUXILIARY SLOOP, Very clean Erickson 26D with HD Trailer and mast stepping system. Includes a condo slip for the year and delivery assistance. Will consider trades of European motorcycle or nice day sailor. Shallow draft wing keel. Bruce King tri-axial grid system. Beautiful gel coat. Never a blister, recent bottom Paint. Sleeps 6 with a 6'6" double. New high-end propane stove. New Raymarine depth. New 120V system with 2 bank smart charger. New LED lighting interior and nav lights. New mast wiring and VHF system. 3 Great sails & whisker pole. New sail cover & lazy jacks. $9500.00

1968 Ericson 26

Cheyenne, Wyoming

1968 Ericson 26, May new updates, E-mail for complete list. ( [email protected] .).May deliver for price of fuel.NO TRAILER!!!!! $5000, 3072142454

1969 vintage Ericson 26 sailboat + 3 sails/8hp motor + new floor - JUST REDUCED

Portland, Oregon

Sound and seaworthy vintage beauty - ready to sail! Tohatsu 2-stroke 8hp motor, averages about 1 gallon per hour. Comes with 3 sails in good condition, ready with everything you need to sail and motor today - also comes with stainless steel hibachi grill. Brand-new flooring! No boat trailer; currently moored at Fred's Marina on the Multnomah Channel, Portland. If desired, boat can continue to be moored at Fred's Marina for $133.50/month. No FT live-aboards at Fred's, but moorage customers can spend 2 nights/week at marina. Asking $2500 FIRM. Clean title/registration; Oregon boating registration good through end of 2014. Personal viewings upon request, serious inquiries only. Please contact us directly with any questions regarding the boat (Fred's Marina only has moorage information). Ahoy, thanks for looking!

BEAUTIFUL ERICSON 35' MK III SAILBOAT 1973 EMAIL FOR PHOTOS OMLY!!!!

Marina Del Rey, California

BEAUTIFUL ERICSON 35' MK III SAILBOAT 1973 New on Market This Ericson is a great example of workmanship and performance. An all around good and well looked after boat, that has a custom one of a kind interior. The 35' Ericson appeals to a wide range of sailors, from the inexperienced or families looking for a first boat. To competitive sailors looking for a performance cruiser… and Yes this Ericson could ever be looked at as a Blue Water Boat. This Boat just got back from Catalina and is sail ready to go back to Catalina Island, or a afternoon on the bay or sail the cost, or just sit at your slip! This boat is a sailors dream! For those who want a cruiser, And would even be a great live aboard. The interior salon is custom one of a kind and in very good condition, with a spacious living area that is standup 6'plus Head Room thought the boat. beautiful wood with great cushions and fabric thought-out. The layout is very comfortable for a weekend condo or a Temporary Live aboard. And just add the amenities you need… And at night this boat has a very comfortable Vib to make you feel right at home!!. Outside has large cockpit with wheel. Roller Furling Jib & Fully Battened Mainsail Good canvas all around. Head with toilet and sink Propane BBQ V-birth comfortably sleeps 2 Lots of Storage VHF Radio AM/FM radio And wall mount tv Some interments but older Bottom paint still in good condition….you still got a year or maybe two. The power plant is a Inboard Yanmar 3gmb30 Diesel 27hp with very low hours 350HR that’s in great shape, and great running order!!!. The engine have been well maintained. In the water and sail ready in Marina Del Rey. This boat is a Must see A Deal At $26,000 below market value Slip Transferable, if you want it. (upon qualification) This is one gorgeous lady at a great buy. Come have a look

Morgan WEST INDIES 36 SAILBOAT...Beautiful... in St Pete Fl.. EXTENSIVE refit

St. Petersburg, Florida

Make HERITAGE YACHT CORP

Model Morgan WEST INDIES 36

Category Cruiser Motorcycles

Length 36.5

Gorgeous, ...over 65k spent on refit....***1996 Perkins M30 fresh water cooled diesel***, low hrs. starts runs, excellent, no smoke, new oil and filter perkins m30 owners manuel Brand new bottom paint, 3 coats...12/2016, @ $2000 Built and designed by Charlie Morgan in Clearwater Fl. hull #4 of 40 built 36.5 feet on deck....38 feet overall length Heavy, thick hand laid FG hull and deck, combined with original robust construction... FAR EXCEEDS standard sailboats such as: islander, catalina, irwin,pearson, columbia, hunter, ericson etc... 11, newer solid Stainless Steel ports. 2 newer SS Lewmar deck Hatches. all new running rigging. newer ss Norseman cones all around custom SS mount mid boom mainsheet track with all new blocks '14 newer turnbuckles oversized lower shrouds internal halyards ***2014,... new (5) thick oversized massive SS electropolished chainplates. ... external lead keel dropped: new SS studs and bolts, and new SS backing plates, then rebed...new SS awthwartship stringers thrubolted under cabin sole...along with new SS mast step..rudder dropped, new rudder gland with new packing, new steering quadrant, new SS rudder boss, new steering cables....2014......all these above;...exceptional, laborious, expensive, extensive comprehensive metal refits. .****. seperates this vessel from just about any other vessel from this era....truly an incredible update refit..., on a deserving, thick , strong hull and deck..**** ..she's ready for another 50 years of service....*** an outstanding, capable sailing vessel...virtually one of a kind...! Pride of ownership evident Throughout!... mast rewired '14 new masthead tricolor light new mast mount foredeck light deck completely stripped of all hardware and Imron jet aircraft painted 2007, topsides and deck; with blue cove and boot stripes, shiny and beautiful...bulletproof...$600/ gallon,...yet another major, massive Expensive upgrade...update... new 2014 Garmin 740s color , touchscreen GPS navigation station vhf radio, stereo CD, dual speakers all new hoses and ss clamps on 1996 Perkins diesel engine and exhaust new engine water pump, 2014 merely 1100 hours,( low hrs.) on 1996 Perkins M30 diesel, ....runs, starts excellent, no smoke. new oil and filter on engine 12/16. new 1" thick engine room insulation /sound deadening new Raycor fuel filter plastic 28 gallon fuel tank, engine burns 1/2 gal /hour @ 6 knots cruise. 2 plastic water tanks, 80 gallons water total new cutlass bearing and shaft packing, '14,... 3 blade prop new 6 volt golf cart batteries,235 amps,... new deep cycle 12 volt engine start battery 135 amps.... 10/16 Pro mariner 20 amp 3 bank automatic battery charger new hi output 95 amp alternator and belt 6/16 new LPG princess 3 burner SS stove and oven new xtra custom cockpit scuppers with bronze valves, '14,... total 4 scuppers in cockpit new cockpit cushions '14 Teak cockpit floor grate, with blue canvas cover new canvas '14; to include... mains'l cover, hatch covers, new bimini top, new custom main compainionway hatch cover,... teak grate cockpit floor canvas cover. all new interior cushions '14 Excellent Lavac vacuum head, manuel, with 15 gal. plastic holding tank. 7 cu ft ice box with '90's engine driven grunert refrig freezer with holding cold plates, 1/2 hp compressor, needs work or replacement. newer stem head backing plate. CPT wheel autopilot, excellent 2009, over $2100 when new... new masthead windex '14. Simply, a magnificent well found sailing vessel, visually appears to be about 5 yrs old....Stunning,... everyone who sees her compliments her classic beauty. 55ft mast, 695 sail area yields excellent sailing performance, sails and rigging in very good condition.. 36' 5" on deck, 38 ft. overall, 4'2" draft, centerboard delete, trunk filled with 300lbs.lead and epoxy then sealed, Large rudder with large full skeg,.. 7300 lb.external lead keel,..17,000 lbs. dry unloaded...20,000 lbs. cruise loaded.... 12 ft beam,...* 32 foot long waterline.... sturdy , stable, stout, solid and strong... ..capable of sailing anywhere in the world.. USCG documented vessel,... no liens , privately owned outright. twin anchor rollers on extended spit, thus 38 ft overall, with dual hawse pipes and 2 anchor rodes with chain, 35 lb, cqr anchor. custom cockpit table/box stows 2 10lb LPG bottles and more newer inner forestay and running backs, cutter rig can be an option. or storm foresail hanked on. Airmar 200wx wx nav station, with masthead sensor, 2014 Airmar DT 800 bronze tranducer with 20 degree forward look 2014 16000 BTU marine Airconditioned,... cools excellent in summer Fl. heat 2014 ;NMEA 2000 wiring... for plug and play electronics and accessories SS Dodger frame included,no canvas though new marine 6 gal water heater,w new hoses new shower sump box with dedicated pump new cabin floor,..3 epoxy barrier coats applied , then 3 coats of bottom paint, no blisters. This vessel would have an Impeccable survey should you wish to have one...truly,... a one of a kind find...This boat has no rot, no rust,no blistering of any kind,... anywhere.. All bulkhead taping to hull is as the day she left the factory!... the interior frp liner/headliner is thick, solid strong and shiny!! 6' 4" headroom all interior cabinets and storages, cleaned and painted with quality superhard mildew mold resistant white exterior paint. CLEAN....! the bilge in this boat is...clean This boat has a cameo appearance in the 2011 Hollywood movie "Dolphin Tale" filmed in Clearwater FL. Kris Kristofferson lives on her in this acclaimed flick. The sailing photo is of this actual vessel taken after Imron paint. knowledgable, experienced, x captain, liveaboard cruiser, x boat builder, rigger; older private seller/sailor,.... needs no brokers or help in selling this fine boat,... whatsoever! over 800 labor hours of love and attention in the past 19 months, and it shows. She is exactly as pictured! Exceptional!... replacement cost? conservatively... $95,000 +, estimated professional survey value $64,000+...realistically priced at $36,500. numerous tools, spare parts, chart kits, hardware, screens , literature, magazines included in sale. she appears ....exactly.....as she is in the pictures....! looks better in person actually...a fine little ship... buyer responsible for vessel pick up in St Pete. Florida she could be kept at the same non liveaboard private house dock. she needs dodger canvas cover for supplied ss frame, fridge install, windlass (if your not younger) 1 more anchor bad back/disc forces reluctant sale..this is my dream boat; wanted to sail the Bahamas/Caribbean again...physically can't... more pictures available upon serious buyer phone request. also for sale at: sailboatlistings.com and Tampa Craigslist [email protected] seller, [email protected] not responsible for any shipping , buyer pays for any shipping costs. buyer must make full payment within 3 days. On Jan-19-17 at 07:26:36 PST, seller added the following information: The boat can be kept at its current dock/slip in south st pete fl. On Jan-19-17 at 12:26:10 PST, seller added the following information: Listed on SailboatListings.com

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1967 Ericson 26

• Thread starter Firefly15028
• Start date Jan 12, 2007
• Brand-Specific Forums
• Other Sailboats

Firefly15028

I have been looking at a 1967 Ericson 26 for sale, and I am wondering if it sounds too good to be true because it is too good to be true. It is a 1967 model E26 and is currently in the water at a lake nearby and it is sitting on its waterline (meaning no obvious leaks, I assume). The price is $4200, and that includes a six-post trailer, an old 4-HP or new 7.5-HP outboard (whichever one the owner decides to sell with it, but the 7.5-hp is too big for the engine cover), a depth sounder, a 19-channel VHF, a 2-stage battery charger, new running rigging, and the standing rigging LOOKS good to my untrained eye. It has a 150% and 130% Genoa and a storm jib. The mainsail is from a Harrison 27, and is like new. There is a slight case of dock rash on the bow (a black mark, like he hit a tire) and the rubrail and non-skid colors are quite faded, but the owner says he is repainting it. It has a 20-gallon holding tank with deck access for pumping out, and is complete with a cooler that drains into the bilge and an alcohol stove. The owner says the only water that has ever been in the bilge was from the cooler.Is this price reasonable, or is it very low for a boat this old but this well equipped? And how good is the fiberglas on 40-year-old Ericson boats? Is this model balsa or foam cored? Should I expect problems with this boat? Thanks for any comments anyone would like to make.  

That is ball park for the boat. At 4 grand, if it looks good to you, what do you have to loose?  

Four Grand At my level of financial wherewithal, I'd stand to lose the only four grand I have (or haven't got at the moment). Of course I'd still have the trailer, and the outboard, and the electronics, and a lot of other stuff that might be worth something on another boat, but I wouldn't have a boat and I wouldn't have my four grand.Actually, I agree with you. If I actually had the four grand right now and the boat stood up to a close inspection out of the water, I'd buy it in a minute and probably wouldn't even have written the post above. But I appreciate your comment that the price is in the ball park. I'm desperately looking for a way to come up with the cash. Thanks!  

I hear yuh. You could get it suveyed by a professional. Actually, it's a must in most cases. Your insurance company might require it also but you're out the survey fee whether you buy the boat or not.  

Surveys costly, insurance nil I checked on the cost of a survey; it is $14/ft plus $125 travel costs for the surveyor to go to the lake where the boat is slipped. That's $489, nearly 12% of the cost of the boat (actually it is more than 12% because the actual selling price is a bit cheaper than I indicated). And my insurance company will not insure the boat against damage or loss at all; they say it is too old. They will insure it for liability only, at $289/yr for $100,000 liability limit.If I was immediately ready to buy the boat I would pay the $489 and have it surveyed anyway if for no other reason than to be sure there wasn't something massively wrong that would cost more than the boat to fix, and to have a list of minor problems that I could go through and fix myself after I bought it.That is one of my concerns: When I talked to the owner, he seemed willing to have an "in the water" survey, but tried to talk me out of having it hauled out for a survey. That made me a little suspicious.  

Warren Milberg

Buying, owning... ...maintaining, and sailing and "older" boat always involves some risks. I think that the key is trying to understand and minimize those risks. While I mostly always think a professional survey is a good choice to minimize risks, it may not be the best choice given the price range you are talking about. Rather, you may want to buy Don Casey's book "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat" and do your own survey. You have to accept the fact that a 1967 boat is going to need some upgrades and/or repairs. Hopefully, you will be able to do many of these chores yourself and save yourself some high-cost professional labor. It will also help you learn more about your "new" boat. In looking at an older boat, what you should concentrate on those things that could lead to catastrophic failure and what may be required to avoid them. So you may want to focus on the integrity of the hull, deck, and rig. There are a lot of older boats out there that are great bargains if you are willing to do the basics to keep them up. There are also some boats out there that, due to neglect in their manufacture or upkeep, are not bargains at any price.  

I don't see why he would be reluctant to have the boat pulled out of the water. Does seem suspicious. Maybe it's been grounded.  

Did you get a good look at the bulkheads? Especially where the chainplates are fastened?? This is always a problem area, and not just on older boats.  

Don Casey's book Thank you. I presume Don Casey's book is on Amazon.com; I will see if I can track it down. I think it might be a good book to have and read even if I do have a professional surveyor look at it; it will help me keep everyone honest and help me know what's going on. Given the price of the boat, it might help me save some money too if I decide to do it myself. I appreciate your comments.  

Maybe it's been grounded That's what I was thinking.  

Bulkheads & chainplates No, I haven 't even been aboard the boat as yet. The closest I've come to chainplates was that while standing on the dock, I grabbed the fitting for one of the stays at the deck level and tried to wiggle it; it seemed firm. I know that means nothing at this point. I remember reading in Good Old Boats the job someone had in replacing rusted chainplates; I should go back and find that article. Thanks for the information.  

Firefly, most of the decisions that you must make concerning this or any boat hinge on your skills and abilities. If the boat hasn't been smashed then it can be made into a new custom outfitted boat. The material cost is not great but the labor demands are very large. Ericson boats were well built reliable boats. 4000 dollars for the hull, the rigging and the sails is a bargain if it fits your needs and abilities. But if you will need to hire the labor it will cost you far more than you can imagine.  

There is a well used term"hand tight" it means just that. You can't move it by hand. But in the realm of boats "hand tight" is still loose.Fiber glass repairs are different but not more difficult than any other repairs. I charge 75 dollars per hour for labor plus the cost of material. The more skills you learn the less money you have to earn. The work must be done to make the job right.  

Good old boats Firefly,I own a 1967 Tartan 27 which we got at a fire sale for $4K that came with no trailer (the boat weighs nearly 4 tons). I also have a partner in the boat to help diffray mooring/docking costs. I can tell you that in 1967 they (boat manufacturers)overbuilt their hulls as they did not know how little fiberglass they could get away with as they do today. They tended to overbuild the standing rigging as well. Both of these characteristics are good from the standpoint of safety but not necessarily for racing or speed. For my first "big" boat I was not concerned with racing or speed and was happy to get an old boat that was built like a Cadillac in its day. We do race our boat though and surprise many more modern cruisers with our 240 PHRF (tub) rating. I too was reluctant to jump right in on this venture but now I am quite happy that I did and that I have a partner. The Ericsson 26 has a trailer which will allow you to keep mooring fees down to a minimum - be sure to check out the condition of the trailer checking for rusty axle, lee springs and wheel hubs (indication that ball bearings may not be in such good shape). On the boat itself I would check all the decks for spongyness (does it give way even a little when you step on it). The chainplates and bulkheads have already been mentioned. Pay close attention to these. We had to rebuild the knee for our aft chainplate which pulled up. Working with fiberglass is not so bad, just a little messy which is why they make thinners like Acetone and Lacquer Thinner.Does the motor run? Be prepared to get your hands dirty maintaining it.Does your car have a towing hitch? This can cost $500 to install a new one.Can your car pull the weight of the boat the distances you will be pulling it?Have the previous owner (PO) show you how to step and unstep the mast. If it requires a crane to do it then your setup will not be so easily portable.As suggested you should probably get the boat surveyed by a professional for 2 reasons. The main reason is so you can get insurance - most insurers will not insure an old boat like this without a survey. The other reason is to find out if there are some larger lurking problems that you cant see. The surveyor may charge up to $350. I am attaching a link to a surveyor's website where there is a lot of information about buying older boats and things to check for. It is also good reading. I hope you can find a way to own this boat. Let us know how it works out.http://www.yachtsurvey.com/buyingaboat.htm  

Firefly, I haven't found an insurer for my 68 Islander beyound liability. Hand tight is before you apply tools.Most of the boats in the size being discussed here are not trailer sailed, just trailer stored. Launched in spring and taken home in the fall.  

Winter lasts about two days or so here Hmmm. Well, maybe "good ol' boats" are not insurable. Okay, we'll put our insurance money into ground tackle and safety equipment.Roger on hand tight.As for fall-haulout-spring-splash, well, this is Arizona. The lake is at 2151-ft elevation and never freezes over, and it is rare that snow falls as low as 3,000-ft on the Superstitions. We were up at the lake December 7th and it was 53-degrees F with a 15-knot wind, and I found it chilly with just a long-sleeved denim shirt (I forgot my windbreaker). But at least one sailor was on the lake on his sailboat, and the lake was peaceful without the jetskis and skiboats. We would have loved to have been out there on our own boat. We have no use for a trailer other than to haul it out for inspection, or haul it up to Lake Powell, where our daughter lives, for a couple of weeks in the summer. In fact, we're going to have to figure out where to store the trailer to avoid paying storage fees on it. My mother-in-law would have a hissy fit if I tried to store the boat and trailer alongside her mobile home here, but I might be able to get away with storing the boat trailer.Thanks again for the information.  

I forgot to mention a few things I was trying to be encouraging in my first post. Now the gloves are off. B.O.A.T. = Bring Out Another ThousandorPicture yourself in a cold shower peeling out 1 hundred dollar bills and watch them disappear down the drain.The purchase price of your dream boat is only the admission fee to a sport that used to be exclusively for the well to do. Having said all that I suspect that the Ericsson 26 might just be the right boat for you. You seem to understand that there are recurring fees (launch, dock, moor) so you are one step closer to reality. In some places you can just get (read buy) a used mushroom anchor (say 200#) and chain and drop it yourself. Then you need to find a tender of some sort to get out to her. The drag here is that often you will have to motor back to the dock to pick up supplies and additional crew. Slips are the most convenient but cost the most.The other topic I wanted to touch on was something I think Ross touched upon. You will be happy with this boat only if it matches your expectations. I say this because if you just want to sail you can get a smaller (real trailer sailer) boat that you could tow. But if you want the commodore (wife or GF etc) to enjoy it too then the E26 sounds more like the best bet. You can sleep on it, cook, fish, sail, motor or leave it as chores on land never disappear just because you own a boat. The chores on a boat never seem to end.One other note of caution: is this a centerboard or swing keel boat? If so check that mechanism to make sure it works.I am also curious if the mast is deck stepped or keel stepped. Keel stepped could be considered a little more sturdy as the deck also helps to keep the mast upright. On this point the keel stepped mast foot should have some heavy electrical cable running to a plate on the outside of the hull (thru hull plate) for lightning dispersion. Anyway, good luck and keep us informed.  

Insurance We got insurance through my partners homeowners insurance company when Boat US was getting all hissy about our boat being from 1967. Required a new survey though.  

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Boats for Sale

26' ericson 26 sailboat.

A nice looking fresh water boat with diesel engine and 6'1" headroom, includes Harken roller furling jib, self tailing winches, dinghy. Please call ahead to arrange to see this boat.

• Specifications
• Description

Accommodations Fore to aft: V berth forward; head next aft to starboard with manual marine head, holding tank and deck pumpout, sink with cold water; hanging locker opposite. Settee berths port and starboard in main cabin plus starboard quarter berth. The galley is aft on the port side. 6'1" headroom AM/FM/CD Player and speakers Galley Stainless steel sink Manual water system Seaward (2) burner propane stove Icebox Deck Danforth anchor 10' chain 200' rode (3) Fenders (2) Dock lines (3) Life jackets (1) Life ring new '03 Flare kit new '04 Swim ladder, fixed Fiberglass dinghy Steel cradle Navigation Compass, Aquameter Gemini Speed/Log, West Marine Depth Sounder, West Marine Standard Horizon VHF Radio Wind speed, West Marine Wind direction, West Marine Electrical 12 volt DC electrical system (2) Batteris '01 and '04 Battery parallel switch 110 volt AC electrical system Shore power cord Mechanical Automatic bilge pump Manual bilge pump Bilge blower Fire extinguisher Tiller steering Sails and Rigging Mainsail with full length battens and lazy jackt Mainsail 110% jib (2) Lewmar Self-tailing winches (2) Halyard winches (1) Self-tailing mainsheet winch Harken Jib Roller Furling Boom vang Mainsheet traveler Deck stepped mast Comments White boat with inboard diesel engine, tiller steering, 4'11" draft. Fresh water use. Not launched summer '05. Please call ahead to arrange to see this boat. Disclaimer The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

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• Sailboat Guide

1988 Ericson 26

• Description

Seller's Description

Bruce King - designed Ericson 26. These pocket cruisers have large interiors and comfortable cockpits for their size! Modest draft and good performance with wing keel. Recent replacements in 2021 include new running rigging, mast wiring and nav lights, VHF and bluetooth AM/AF stereo, bottom soda blasted and barrier coated in 2018-19. Easy to view on land south of Annapolis, Maryland.

Equipment: Universal 12hp inboard diesel, tiller steering, St. Michael’s Sails (2008) mainsail and genoa in good condition, roller furling, sail cover, swim cover, lifelines, anchor well, sleeps 4-5, 6’ headroom, pressure water, marine head, 2 batteries, alt, nav lights, VHF, autohelm, alcohol fuel stove

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. 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.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Wing Keel = 3’ 11” Shoal Draft = 3’ 11” Deep = 4’ 11” Entirely different from the earlier ERICSON 26 (1966).

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

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• General Ericson Forums
• For Sale & Wanted

Ericson 26 on CL

• Thread starter debonAir
• Start date Jun 3, 2019
• Jun 3, 2019

Lots of equipment for the money. Looks not that bad. https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/d/marblehead-1988-ericson-26/6903595307.html  

Sustaining Partner

• Jun 4, 2019

debonAir said: Lots of equipment for the money. Looks not that bad. https://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/d/marblehead-1988-ericson-26/6903595307.html Click to expand...

Sustaining Member

I've seen this boat for sale for a few years at a slowly decreasing price. I think I remember the owners "aged out" of sailing. Once the price vs hassle of selling gets to a point, the donation and tax deduction starts looking pretty good. A few years of storage fees and no use will get you motivated to move the boat. I don't think the boat had any big issues (except that winged keel) but wheel steering on the E26 would be a no go for me. I suspect the original price ($8 - 12k ?) is too high for this size boat compared to all the available other "starter" boats of similar size. The E26 is perfect for someone familiar with Ericsons or downsizing from a bigger boat. I am seriously considering another E26-2 when I retire. Mark  

NewbieSailor

• Jun 9, 2019

markvone said: I've seen this boat for sale for a few years at a slowly decreasing price. I think I remember the owners "aged out" of sailing. Once the price vs hassle of selling gets to a point, the donation and tax deduction starts looking pretty good. A few years of storage fees and no use will get you motivated to move the boat. I don't think the boat had any big issues (except that winged keel) but wheel steering on the E26 would be a no go for me. I suspect the original price ($8 - 12k ?) is too high for this size boat compared to all the available other "starter" boats of similar size. The E26 is perfect for someone familiar with Ericsons or downsizing from a bigger boat. I am seriously considering another E26-2 when I retire. Mark Click to expand...

Nothing wrong Just folks with strong opinions and definite preferences. This could be a great boat for you. If it is in good condition and ready to go what a better way to start your sailing experience. I've no experience with winged keel boats but plenty with both tiller and wheel. Both have their pros and cons. At this stage of my sailing experience and advanced years I love the wheel. Just cruising and not racing where perhaps the tiller communicates in a more exact way the feel of the boat. As for the engine, have an experienced person take a look at it to determine its condition.  

Christian Williams

E381 - los angeles.

• Jun 10, 2019

Newbiesailor, If your interest continues, post photos of the boat. The "for sale" , as a donation, is lacking detail. A diesel engine is a great thing on a 26, and it's either fine, just in need of basic care, or it has some unsolvable problem, which is less likely but would be a big issue. Re the wheel: most 26-footers find a tiller simple and with all the virtues you recall from dinghies. The down side of retrofitted wheel steering is that the wheel may have to be small (cockpits have to be specifically designed to accept large wheels). A small-diameter wheel on a sailboat is awful--no feel, no leverage. Also, wheel steering is complicated, and parts availability on old systems is an issue. It really does free the cockpit of the sweeping tiller, however. More photos would show us the situation, and the existing wheel may be fine. By the way, member Shelman has a full blog about a major refurb of a 26: http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/blog.php?6407-Shelman He and his wife trailered the boat to Florida and sailed to the Bahamas. His YouTube videos about the voyage of Turtle are entertaining and more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdDptwyfgTg  

Definitely more photos would help If you're seriously interested in it and are soliciting more advice. From one of the pictures in the CL ad the rudder seems to have a problem. This is typical of a boat of this age. Especially, if it spent its life in salt water.  

Hi HewbieSailor, I didn't mean to imply that there was anything unacceptable or dangerous about the design of the E26 with a wing keel or wheel steering, just not my preference. For $3000, the price of this particular boat is 1/3 of a typical E26 and the E26 is a great boat, one of my favorite Ericson models. The E26 has standing headroom up to 6 feet, an enclosed head, inboard diesel and the very solid feel of a bigger boat yet it's small enough to be easily handled. Sail sizes are very manageable and this boat has a jib furler. The only negative I felt with my E26 was the v berth is really only a big single. Look to see if the starboard settee pulls out to make a double berth in the main cabin. This can be easily added if the boat didn't get this option. My strong preference is for the deep keel (on any boat) followed by the standard shoal keel over the wing. The wing keel is the highest drag, hardest to get unstuck and easiest to hook a pot with. It was added as an option with the 300 series E26 in 1986 or 7. In my opinion it was purely a marketing ploy based on Americas Cup 12 meters which have nothing to do with cruising sailboats. As for wheel steering on the E26, the cockpit was not designed for it. The wheel is tiny, probably 24 inches in diameter to fit between the seats so steering feel is bad compared to the tiller. The wheel pedestal will force you to step up on the seat to get aft behind the wheel. The tiller does sweep part of the cockpit underway but folds up completely out of the way when at rest. Still, four people can sit in the corners of the cockpit and not get in the way of the helmsman. Mark  

markvone said: Hi HewbieSailor, I didn't mean to imply that there was anything unacceptable or dangerous about the design of the E26 with a wing keel or wheel steering, just not my preference. For $3000, the price of this particular boat is 1/3 of a typical E26 and the E26 is a great boat, one of my favorite Ericson models. The E26 has standing headroom up to 6 feet, an enclosed head, inboard diesel and the very solid feel of a bigger boat yet it's small enough to be easily handled. Sail sizes are very manageable and this boat has a jib furler. The only negative I felt with my E26 was the v berth is really only a big single. Look to see if the starboard settee pulls out to make a double berth in the main cabin. This can be easily added if the boat didn't get this option. My strong preference is for the deep keel (on any boat) followed by the standard shoal keel over the wing. The wing keel is the highest drag, hardest to get unstuck and easiest to hook a pot with. It was added as an option with the 300 series E26 in 1986 or 7. In my opinion it was purely a marketing ploy based on Americas Cup 12 meters which have nothing to do with cruising sailboats. As for wheel steering on the E26, the cockpit was not designed for it. The wheel is tiny, probably 24 inches in diameter to fit between the seats so steering feel is bad compared to the tiller. The wheel pedestal will force you to step up on the seat to get aft behind the wheel. The tiller does sweep part of the cockpit underway but folds up completely out of the way when at rest. Still, four people can sit in the corners of the cockpit and not get in the way of the helmsman. Mark Click to expand...

Thanks for all the pointers and I will report back with pictures once I see the boat. Big thanks to all the replies. It helps me to figure out what I want. I just did some research on different type of keels, and I have sailed on a Merit 25 and Sonar before. I found Sonar very easy to handle and stable. Merit 25 has a fin keel, and an overtack swamped the boat which surprises me. I would second what Mark said: deep keel, shoal keel, then other type of keels, including wing keel. When I look at the pictures of the boat, I see rust/blisters on the rudder, and back end of the boat in front of the tiller. Are these easy to fix? I heard that fiberglass blisters are time consuming to fix. And a boat is made of 1988, it probably would have quite a few of those fiberglass blisters. I am totally new in buying a boat and really want a boat to sail for 2 years instead of working on a project. What are some important questions to ask? I am thinking to be able to do a test sail. But given that the boat is going to sale as is, it probably not doable. So, looking for other ideas to figure out how the boat is. Can you start the diesel engine on land ? I guess so, but where is the water come to cool it? Anyway, just very new to the process....  

No wheel no problem and get experienced help or survey if you get to that point Since this boat doesn't have a wheel that's not an issue. Get an experienced friend to look it over or find a surveyor to help you assess the boat. Starting a diesel on the hard is not difficult. First thing is to find out if the boat has batteries. Search this forum for related threads. The same for rudder repair. Everything depends on what you find in taking an in depth look.  

Not sure where the "wheel" came in. This ad states it has a tiller auto-pilot so I imagine it is a tiller boat. I prefer tiller myself, except when you get past 35 feet of boat the forces can be too large so big wheels win then. The one big benefit of a wheel is that you can hand it to a novice for a bit when motoring and they can steer through pot fields etc. and you can do other stuff. I've sailed an E28 with the tiny little wheel. It was... not great. As part of purchasing a first boat, you should probably get used to the fact that EVERY boat is a project boat. Even brand new shiny boats will need customizing and outfitting to work for you, and there will be brand new things that break the second time you use them. Picture a spreader boot falling off and a spreader puncturing and slicing a brand new kevlar genoa (wasn't my boat but still hurt to watch..) Boats are constant sources of projects and drains for money regardless of age/condition. That said, there is a great sense of accomplishment with every successful repair and upgrade, plus you get to go places using FREE power. You can defer a lot of cosmetic stuff for years as long as the basic rig and steering are mechanically sound. A 26 foot boat would be a great first yacht, and the winged keel will help keep you out of trouble and let you go places I couldn't get to.  

Perfect First Boat! I tell anyone who will listen how much I love my boat. I can’t find a boat under $20k I’d rather own. We sail our 25+ (same hull as the 26) around the Puget Sound and occasionally up to the San Jan islands with 2 kids (7 and 10) and a 55lb lab. It’s tight and I’d love more room, but you can’t beat what Mr. King was able to fit into a 25’ platform. The cockpit is laid out perfectly for single handing. Everything is within a comfortable reach and the deck is reasonably easy to move around. It sails well and at the end of the day when she’s tied up she’s still worthy of one more glance as you head up the gangway. The rudder is a doable fix (I pulled mine apart, dried it out, and rebuilt it) or a reasonably affordable replacement through Foss Foam. There’s nothing on the boat that would break the bank if it fails. In short, it’s the perfect first boat.  

Loren Beach

O34 - portland, or.

Rig Questions If you look at the rig measurements, the Ericson 26-2 has equal E and J lengths. It actually is a fractional rig, so it does not have a disproportionate size of genoa. Our previous boat had a rig very much like this was very easy to sail because the jibs and spinnaker were not huge. IMHO it is a great sail plan for short handed sailing. https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/ericson-26-2  

You can do all those cruises once familiar with the boat. Your cruising ground is sometimes a piece of cake, and at other times provides great challenges of current, fog, shoals and crowds. What you have (that California does not) is a near infinite number friendly, close harbors to quickly provide experience in how far you want to go, and how to do it.  

• Jun 11, 2019

Hi Newbie, My 1984 E26-2 was the 3' 11" shoal keel. I sailed to all those places with no problems. The shoal keel versions of all the Ericsons have nearly the same stability as the deep keels. If they didn't, they would need to have shorter rigs and less sail area (which they don't). The E25+ brochure, same hull and rig as the E26 which it became in 1984, states the CG of the shoal keel is within 3 inches of the deep keel. What you give up for the reduced draft is a slightly higher lift, lower drag keel shape which is most advantageous going upwind and racing. I never felt my shoal E26 didn't perform well. Loren is correct about the fractional rig and equal jib and main sizes. The E26 sail sizes are quite manageable, even up to a 150 LP genoa on hanks which I had. A typical furling 120-140 LP genoa would be a piece of cake to manage. I added a simple block and tackle backstay adjuster to the split backstay which really helps to depower the mainsail when it gets windy. Between the furling jib and reefing fractional mainsail, you can not get a more user friendly, easy to adjust sail plan. OK, It was me who started the rumor that this boat has a wheel. It does have a tiller which you can see folded up by the transom and boarding ladder in the second picture. Mark  

Brad Johnson

• Jul 3, 2019

I had a wing keel version that I converted to a fin keel ,only 6" deeper, I have a plug and a plan if you want to change in the future.  

• Jul 15, 2019

Hi Brad, Can you provide some details on your wing to fin keel conversion? Sounds like you added lead back to the bottom of the fin vs adding it to both sides of the existing fin (as a bulb)? What draft did you wind up with? I've seen a few of the 300 series wing keels but never a straight shoal keel like my series 200. I wonder if the wing was the only shoal version available in the 300 series E26. Thanks! Mark  

• Jul 16, 2019

I will take a picture of the plug and then I will give a overview of the process. I was young with a lot of energy in 1994 when I did the conversion, at 65 would not even consider such a job, but IMO was worth it.  

Posted 2024-02-21 23:03

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Ericson 25 Sailboat - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

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