Ericson or Contest,Please help me choose

bjslife · #1 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009

Hello I have the choice to buy a 1973 Ericson 35-2 with no motor with sails for 8k or a 1970 Contest 29' for 7k with runing motor and sails. Im looking for a liveaboard and know 35 is larger than 29 but im wondering which boat is safer for coastal cruising and maybe some Bahama puddle jumping. Ive heard the Ericsons are very tender with gusts above 18knt. I have also heard the Contest is a very stable in larger waves. Now i also have to make my better half happy with size to move around and cook but she also does not like the 20 degree feeling. I would like as much help and input befor i jump into this adventure. Thanks in advance.

mikel1 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009

You should check out ericsonyachts.org lots of great info there.... and very experienced opinions (I'd go ericson, size and a truly quality boat for what you want) Mikel1

jrd22 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009

My father has a Contest 30, he's had it for a long time and it sails beautifully. Very well built, no blisters or problems. I think it's a 1970 model as well. he just repowered with a new Yanmar and put new a new furling system on it. 30' can't compare to 35' for liveaboard, but no engine in the Erickson? Would you be planning to ever take it out sailing? An engine is a very expensive "option".

tager · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009

It depends on condition, but I would go with the Ericson 35. This is going to mean you need an extremely good docking situation, preferably side tie, or a mooring. You will appreciate the extra room more than the engine.

Really an engine is not necessary, people got along without them for thousands of years, and many still do. Beat them up about the engine, and get them to lower the price even more.

bogdog · #5 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009

Get a low enough price on the Ericson and spend the savings on a rebuilt engine. Then you have 35 footer with a new engine. Perfect for cruising.

bjslife · #6 (**permalink**) 12-12-2009

I have worked as a mechanic for many years and also electrician on aircraft so replacing a motor wont be dificult for me, If i did it would be a diesel though and i would plan on taking her out every chance i got. Right now i do have a 1969 venture(macgregor) 24 that took 2 years to restore but it was worth it. Now heres the hard question, I know that this is not the right site for marriage counseling but what if the wife does not like the idea of a liveaboard and its been my dream and she knew it befor we got married, do i buy it anyway??

sailingtime · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

Personally I would go with the Ericson (with a new engine)and slowly introduce your wife to see the joy of sailing and the idea of a live aboard lifestyle. If that doesn’t work at least you have a quality boat to sell or one to sail alone.

alwheeler98 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjslife

I have worked as a mechanic for many years and also electrician on aircraft so replacing a motor wont be dificult for me, If i did it would be a diesel though and i would plan on taking her out every chance i got. Right now i do have a 1969 venture(macgregor) 24 that took 2 years to restore but it was worth it. Now heres the hard question, I know that this is not the right site for marriage counseling but what if the wife does not like the idea of a liveaboard and its been my dream and she knew it befor we got married, do i buy it anyway??

If my primary experience with sailboats had been a 24 foot boat, I'd be pretty resistant to the idea of being a liveaboard too. :-) We're pretty cozy at 26 feet...in my opinion, I consider extended time on our boat more like camping than anything else.

35 feet would be a great way to start weekending.

GeorgeB · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

Ericson’s are a relatively high aspect rig and have a reputation for being a bit “noodlely” here on windy San Francisco Bay. My experience on them is they are not an especially stiff boat. Not fatal, you just have to adjust you’re driving/trimming style. Repowering is expensive, even if you do it yourself. Chances are if a previous owner killed off an engine, there are other issues lurking as well. I would pass – you could easily wind up spending well over an additional $10k getting the boat into live aboard condition and in the meanwhile, your wife has her divorce attorney on speed dial.

alwheeler98 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-16-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Ericson’s are a relatively high aspect rig and have a reputation for being a bit “noodlely” here on windy San Francisco Bay. My experience on them is they are not an especially stiff boat. Not fatal, you just have to adjust you’re driving/trimming style. Repowering is expensive, even if you do it yourself. Chances are if a previous owner killed off an engine, there are other issues lurking as well. I would pass – you could easily wind up spending well over an additional $10k getting the boat into live aboard condition and in the meanwhile, your wife has her divorce attorney on speed dial.

We got our used (and working) Yanmar from someone who was looking to upgrade to more power. If memory serves we paid about $1500. A lot of factors came together for us to get the engine at that price, so it's probably the exception rather than the rule.

We gave up on our old Volvo Penta after finding out how much it cost to get a needed replacement part.

That being said, I don't think we would buy a boat without a working engine, mostly because of the costs to install.