Ericson 27
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About the Ericson 27
Designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts from 1971 to 1978, this popular 27-footer represents classic 1970s sailboat design with 1,250 hulls produced during its seven-year production run. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling characteristics that made it appealing to both cruising sailors and weekend racers of the era. With a fiberglass hull and balsa-cored deck construction, the Ericson 27 offers solid build quality typical of the builder's reputation. The masthead sloop rig provides straightforward sail handling, while the moderate displacement of 6,600 pounds strikes a balance between performance and stability. A ballast-to-displacement ratio of nearly 44 percent contributes to confident sailing characteristics in varying conditions. The boat's dimensions create a practical coastal cruiser suitable for protected waters and near-shore sailing. The comfort ratio of 24.42 suggests a relatively stiff, performance-oriented boat that prioritizes sailing ability over interior volume. Combined with a capsize screening formula of 1.92, these numbers indicate good stability for coastal adventures. The Ericson 27 earned recognition as an affordable entry point into quality sailing, offering Bruce King's thoughtful design work at a price point accessible to many sailors during the 1970s sailing boom.
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Market Price Estimate
Beta
$5,000 – $9,995
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
26.75 ft / 8.15 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
20.50 ft / 6.25 m
Beam
9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft
3.92 ft / 1.19 m
Displacement
6,600.00 lb / 2,994 kg
Ballast
2,900.00 lb / 1,315 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
323.00 ft² / 30.01 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG w/balsa cored deck
Designer
Bruce King
Builder
Ericson Yachts (USA)
First Built
1971
Last Built
1978
Number Built
1250
Associations
Ericson Yachts Information
Related Sailboats
["Catalina 27" · "Coronado 27" · "Tanzer 27" · "Cal 3 27" · "Helms 27"]
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
The balsa-cored deck is prone to moisture intrusion around deck hardware, chainplates, and stanchion bases. Once wet, the balsa core rots and loses structural integrity, creating soft spots that can spread significantly if undetected.
The deck-to-hull joint on early Ericson 27s uses an external aluminum toerail to clamp the joint together. The bedding compound in this joint deteriorates over time, allowing water intrusion and potential separation; inspect carefully for any movement or weeping at this seam.
The external ballast keel is attached with mild steel keel bolts that are prone to corrosion. The bilge area around the keel sump should be inspected closely for rust staining and any signs of weeping, which indicate compromised keel bolt integrity.
Chainplate backing plates are often undersized and the surrounding deck laminate shows stress cracking or delamination around the chainplate slots, which are also common water intrusion points into the balsa core.
The spade rudder on this model relies on a relatively small diameter rudder stock. Inspect the rudder bearing and stock for play and corrosion, as wear in this area was common and can lead to loss of steering control if neglected.
Interior joinery on Ericson 27s of this era used a molded fiberglass pan liner that can crack and separate from the hull, making bilge access difficult and trapping moisture beneath the liner where it cannot be easily inspected or dried.
The original portlights and hatches used bronze or cast aluminum frames that are frequently rebedded poorly by previous owners, resulting in recurring cabin top leaks that saturate the surrounding balsa core.
Most Ericson 27s of this vintage were fitted with the Atomic 4 gasoline inboard. These engines are old enough that carburetor diaphragms, fuel lines, and ignition components need careful evaluation; many have been replaced with small diesel conversions of varying quality.
1971–1978 models
Original 1970s wiring is often undersized, improperly fused, and may have been added to over decades in an unplanned fashion. The electrical panel and wiring runs should be inspected carefully for chafing, amateur splices, and corrosion at connections.
Own or have surveyed a Ericson 27? Submit a known issue
Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
207
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
14.73
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
43.94
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
342.01
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
24.42
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.92
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
6.07 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.3
Pounds/Inch Immersion
Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline.
659.24 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
14.72
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
32.50 ft / 9.91 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
11.25 ft / 3.43 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
28.00 ft / 8.53 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
10.00 ft / 3.05 m
SA Fore
182.81 ft² / 16.98 m²
SA Main
140.00 ft² / 13.01 m²
SA Total (100%)
322.81 ft² / 29.99 m²
Est. Forestay Length
34.39 ft / 10.48 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Universal
Engine Model
Atomic 4
Engine Type
Gas
Horsepower
30
How It Compares
vs. Cal 3 27, Coronado 27, Tanzer 27
This boat
Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
LWL
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
Beam
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
Displacement
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
Ballast
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Ericson 27 ★
Cal 3 27
Coronado 27
Tanzer 27
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