ericson 39 sailboat

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The Ericson 39 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

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

Published Specification for the Ericson 39

Underwater Profile:  Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:  39'0" (11.9m)

Waterline Length:  30'0" (9.1m)

Beam:  11'4" (3.5m)

Draft:  5'11" (1.8m)

Rig Type:  Masthead sloop

Displacement:  19,000lb (8,618kg)

Ballast:  9,500lb (4,309kg)

Published Design Ratios for the Ericson 39

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  16.6

Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  50.0

Displacement/Length Ratio:  314

Comfort Ratio:  35.4

Capsize Screening Formula:   1.7

Performance Predictions based on the Design Ratios

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

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

The Designer

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

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

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

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

The Builder

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

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

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

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

The Ericson 39B

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

The Ericson 39:

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

Ericson 39B:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ericson 39 b

The ericson 39 b is a 39.0ft cutter designed by bruce king and built in fiberglass by ericson yachts (usa) between 1975 and 1978., 20 units have been built..

The Ericson 39 b is a heavy sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has an excellent righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a bluewater cruising boat. The fuel capacity is average. There is a short water supply range.

Ericson 39 b for sale elsewhere on the web:

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Ericson Yachts

Ericson Yachts was founded by a number of former employees of Columbia Yachts. With a few exceptions, the Ericson line was a collaboration with designer Bruce King. Though many Ericson models sold extremely well, the company had a turbulent history financially from the beginning with numerous changes in ownership. In 1968 the company became a subsidiary of Pacific American Industries and a new plant was built in Santa Ana , CA. By 1990, the Ericson brand had been acquired by Pacific Seacraft, which continued to build some of the later models until 1999, when it was retired. Original Address: 1931 Deere Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92705 USA MIC: ELY

Associations

• One Ton Class
• Carl Alberg/Bruce King
• Carl Schumacher
• George Olson
• Ron Holland
• William Crealock

41 sailboats built by Ericson Yachts

Ericson 25+

Ericson 35-2

Ericson 32-2.

Ericson 23-2

Ericson 26 (Crealock)

Ericson 23-1.

Ericson 28+

Ericson 31 Independence

Ericson 36C

Ericson 30-2

Ericson 35-1, ericson olson 34.

Ericson 32 (Scorpion)

Ericson 39 B

Ericson 31 Independence (Cutter)

Ericson 28-2

Ericson 38-200

Ericson 26-2

Ericson 34T

Ericson olson 911 s.

Ericson 32-3

Ericson 35-3

Ericson 381

Ericson 32-200

Ericson 34-2

Ericson 30+

Ericson 30-1

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