Little Ericsons, big problems?

[Springline]

Hello SailNet general! I'm new to the forum, and I'm looking into getting my first boat. I'm looking for something that would be relatively forgiving, and not too tricky to learn on. Speed can come later, right now I'd like to focus on doing it right. Additionally, I've been looking at boats with an eye to potentially living aboard during the summer. ( I work at marinas, I can get a mooring, and possibly even a slip, depending on how slow '12 looks to be, for almost nothing)

To that end, the Ericson 27 has caught my eye. Again, I'm not looking for speed, and a lot of reviews say the things are pretty bulletproof. However, it never hurts to ask, and so I ask SailNet, does anyone have any major problems with these things to report, or know someone who does? And yes, I do plan on asking the same question on the EY.org forums. I'm asking here because I'm selfish, and these forums move much faster. Thanks for any advice you can give, or maybe there are other, better classic plastic options out there for my needs.

[jameswilson29]

Did you look at the "Boat Reviews" section of SN?

[Springline]

Thanks for the reply, and yes, I looked at the reviews. In fact, one of the reasons the E27 piqued my interest was the fact that it had so many positive reviews. I was just wondering if anyone had any specific complaints apart from the (apparent) problem of companionway hatch cover delamination, and the usual complaints one has with old boats.

[CalebD]

I've always heard that Ericson's were pretty well made boats.
You might find that some of them have the Atomic 4 engine in them. That is not an issue to me as my older classic plastic Tartan 27' has one. A boat with an Atomic 4 should be cheaper then a comparable boat equipped with a diesel engine.
Beyond the usual stuff older boats come with (worn cutless or shaft, chain plates, soft spots, stinky holding tank etc, etc) I see no reason not to consider an Ericson 27'.
A 27 footer is about the smallest size I'd ever consider for living aboard.
You should look at as many E27's and other 27 footers as you can before pulling the trigger on anything.
Happy hunting.

[Springline]

Yeah, I'm fortunate geographically, at least as far as selection is concerned. I've taken the opportunity this freaky winter has afforded me and gone looking a bit.

[travlineasy]

I looked at an Erickson 27 several years ago in Baltimore Inner Harbor's City Dock Marina that was a derelict procured by Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Living Classroom's Foundation. It cannot recall which model it was, but I was really impressed by the amount of interior room. The headroom was at least 6'-4", the boat was beamy, wide open inside, but the cockpit was relatively large. Ironically, the boat was sold an hour before my arrival. It was powered with an Atomic-4, which looked and ran like the engine was brand new. It had a large sail inventory, roller furling, it needed some elbow grease to remove years of accumulated grime, but it was in pretty good condition considering its age. The boat sold for $2,000. A couple days later I purchased a 1968, 27 Catalina with an Atomic-4, 5 sails, in better shape, for the same amount of money.

You can find bargains like these all over the world, but you'll have to do some searching at the various marinas to find them. As for the Erickson, the guy that purchased it sails nearly every day of the season, even when the weather has been nasty and he says the boat handles very well, and it even does a decent job in light winds.

Good Luck,

Gary

[Sabreman]

Look at the Sabre 28. I owned one for 18 years. It's a great, solid boat and beautiful to look at. We liked it so much that when we wanted more room, we bought another Sabre in 2005. You won't be sorry.

[reed1v]

Always found their cockpits uncomfortable. Low back rests, narrow space between lazarettes, and quick motions in a seaway

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by Springline

In fact, one of the reasons the E27 piqued my interest was the fact that it had so many positive reviews.

Has there EVER been a bad review of a sailboat by the owner of said boat?

When I signed up for SN, I read through a LOT of those reviews and the one thing they ALL had in common was glowing reviews and a positive "would buy again".

Owner reviews are good for garnering model specific info, but for an overall opinion of "goodness" I want a third party involved.

[Armchairsailor2]

You could do worse than seek out the Ericson Owners Assoc - good folk on there when I did some idle research into a 34X (not many of those about)...