Choosing a New Boat

[Sue & Larry]

I'm looking at an Ericson 38-200 series boat and would like to know the pros and cons of this boat. I'll be sailing the East Coast and also offshore. If the Ericson is not a good choice for my sailing needs, do you have any suggestions? My price range is up to $65,000.00.

Sue & Larry respond:
Our knowledge of the Ericson 38-200 tells us that it would be a fine boat for the itinerary that you mention. For specific firsthand information about the pros and cons of the Ericson 38-200, check out either BoatCheck or the Ericson Owners Discussion List, both available on line at SailNet. Through either source you can get good firsthand information from people who own and sail this model.

We’d caution you during your search to include in your budget the necessary funds for commissioning, upgrading, and possible refitting. It’s really easy to drop another $15 or $20K into a boat to bring it up to snuff. And having a good survey prior to purchase is really important because it’ll let you know exactly what areas may need attention before you head offshore.

Here are some other boats in your price range that we recommend you take a look at:

Cape Dory 36
Tayana 37
Tartan 37
C&C 38
Pearson 365
Morgan OI 41

Enjoy your search, and we hope to see you out there.