Understand the room in the V Berth for the Erickson.
Check out the T37 or the C&C 35 MKIII like we have. Our V is exceptionally long for a boat its size. My wife and I have no issues or problems sleeping forward when we want to and I am not a small guy. We also have the standard easyily converted double in the salon. When we are travleing on vacation or just the two of us ( most of the time) we often sleep there and just keep the table down. Most of our meals during the seasons are in the cockpit. I am not a fan of the coffin aft bunks shoehorned under the cockpit. Usually not enough fresh air moving i there. They make great garages as soes our double quarterberth
I think the other boat, Bene you are looking at will be ok for the coastal druising you intend to do. For me ( only my opinion), I didnt want a large flat back stern in the water ( on a 35 footer) with a huge party cockpit. That doesnt make it wrong...its just not what I wanted. Lots of my friends have them and love them. I envy their swim platforms and dinghy access. I dont envy them on coastal trips or following seas.
I would look longer term though as you may keep this boat a lot longer than your previous because the next styep up is a big one. Build quality is all important. Structural bulkheads, chainplates, rigging, equipment size and quality, engine horsepower, tankage ( big obe), storage space ( big one). We found the Sabre, Tartans, C&Cs and Ericksons had room, while the production boats gave that room up for the nicer salons or trying to make the sleeping area larger in this size boat. Dont forget engine horsepower vrs size also. And of course resale value. There will be tradeoffs as rarely does one boat have everything you want. Electroinics can be replaced. Should not enter the decision. Our 83 has more modern electrontics now than boats sold 2 years ago. You cant replace the hull, the size of the V, the thickness of fibergalss etc.
While its important that there be enough sleeping room, there are more important other sub surface decisions which did also eliminate boats for me, I understand about keeping the Admiral happy, but what she is looking for may not always be the same. I was able to take a racer/ cruiser and add ammenities which made her ( and I ) happy and we are on it evry weekend from march- dec like it is our second home.
As far as upgrading...that never entered my decision. Condition of the hull and deck, engine condition and upkeep were the prime considerations. I wanted to upgrade electrontics and systems to make it my footprint anyway.
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Sailing ability, speed, comfort in the seaway are important. You know how and what you will use this boat so buy accordingly. If you are going cruising....fast sailing ability may not be the prime factor. If you are mostly on the Bay with some trips...dont buy a boat you will be motoring
all the time all summer where you will use it the most where the winds are usually light 4 months of the year. The Chessie isnt San Fran Bay.
Trelliys old Erickson is a great boat, you will be hard pressed to find one in the condition it appears to be in, The E 39 was also a good one. When he moved up to the 40LRC he has, I will bet many of the factors which made him pick the Erickson were also there in his newer boat,( 40Calber is one of the best boats for cruising for its size).
We just went through this exercise oin looking for our last boat...a boat to cruise to the Carribean with and stay on for 5 months. It took us all of last year to decide and we climbed on over 100 boats. I actually had to give a little on my having a very quick boat ( i like performance cruisers) somehwat for the balance of stability in trade winds. I love the larger Sabres and Tartans, but my reuirement is a protected rudder now and they dont have them. After a year we narrowed to a Mason 43/44, Bristol 41.1/45.5, Hans Cristian Christina 43, or Moody 44. Nnone of them are speed demons...but all sail fairly well to windward. Nnow we are looking for one at the correct price in good condition. That may take a few years as I am picky.
There are so many considerations out there. I suggest you look at lots of boats in your size range and narrow down to 4 boats ( brands). If you can find someone one here who had one and go out on it. We narrowed ours down to Tartan, Sabre, C&C and Erickson in the years 19782- 1985 when I bought Haleakula 15 years ago Then start looking for the best kept ones in your price range. We knew wed pay more for these boats than similar years Catalinas, Hunters, Bennetaues, but we liked how they felt. As Sabreman said you will know when you have found the one you love. So many choices and variables....but dont rush...you dont have to.
Dave