Ericson 29
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About the Ericson 29
Designed by the renowned Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts from 1970 to 1978, this 29-footer represents a classic example of early 1970s performance cruising design. King's influence shows clearly in the boat's balanced proportions and moderate displacement of 8,500 pounds, creating a versatile platform that appeals to both weekend cruisers and more ambitious coastal sailors. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and decent pointing ability, while the masthead sloop rig with 436 square feet of sail area provides adequate power for most conditions. With a comfort ratio of 28.3, the boat strikes a middle ground between performance and seaworthiness, making it suitable for coastal cruising with occasional offshore passages in experienced hands. The Ericson 29's fiberglass construction has proven durable over the decades, and many examples remain active on the used boat market. Hull speed reaches 6.29 knots, respectable for a boat of this size and era. The 30-horsepower auxiliary engine provides reliable power when the wind dies. This design appeals particularly to sailors seeking an affordable entry into larger boat ownership, offering a good balance of sailing performance, basic cruising amenities, and manageable size for smaller crews or single-handers.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$8,888 – $9,950
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
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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)
28.58 ft / 8.71 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam
9.25 ft / 2.82 m
Max Draft
4.33 ft / 1.32 m
Displacement
8,500.00 lb / 3,856 kg
Ballast
3,900.00 lb / 1,769 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
436.00 ft² / 40.51 m²
Headroom
6.17 ft / 1.88 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Bruce King
Builder
Ericson Yachts (USA)
First Built
1970
Last Built
1978
Associations
Ericson Yachts Information
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
The deck-to-hull joint on early Ericson models uses a bolted and bedded external aluminum toerail that serves as the primary fastening. Bedding compound deteriorates over time, allowing water intrusion into the joint and leading to delamination of the inner fiberglass flange.
1970–1974 models
Balsa core was used in the deck construction, and water intrusion around deck hardware fittings that were not properly rebedded causes soft spots and core rot, particularly around chainplates, stanchion bases, and the mast partners.
The encapsulated ballast keel on some hulls used iron ballast encapsulated in the fiberglass shell. If the laminate is cracked at the keel stub, water intrusion causes the iron to swell and rust, cracking the fiberglass further from the inside out.
Chainplate knees are glassed to the hull liner and bulkheads, and the glass tabbing can crack or delaminate where it bonds to the liner rather than the hull skin. This is a known weakness in Ericson construction of this era and should be carefully inspected.
The spade rudder is supported only by the rudder stock with no skeg, and the lower rudder bearing in the hull can wear significantly, causing slop and allowing the rudder to move athwartships under load. Inspect for bearing wear and check for any cracking in the rudder trunk.
The interior liner is a molded pan that is tabbed rather than fully bonded to the hull, and gaps between the liner and hull create hidden voids that trap moisture and can mask structural issues from visual inspection during survey.
Most examples were fitted with the Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine. These engines are aged 45–50+ years and commonly suffer from worn carburetors, deteriorated fuel lines, and corroded heat exchangers. Many owners have repowered with small diesels; confirm engine type and condition carefully.
The mast is deck-stepped on a compression post that transfers loads to the keel floor. The compression post base and the surrounding fiberglass floors should be inspected for cracking or movement, as this area is frequently stressed and sometimes inadequately supported in this production run.
Own or have surveyed a Ericson 29? 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
210
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
16.8
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
45.88
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
356.37
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
28.3
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
1.82
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.
6.29 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
1.29
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.
727.13 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.
15.7
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
36.50 ft / 11.13 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
12.24 ft / 3.73 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
30.54 ft / 9.31 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
12.04 ft / 3.67 m
SA Fore
223.38 ft² / 20.75 m²
SA Main
183.85 ft² / 17.08 m²
SA Total (100%)
407.23 ft² / 37.83 m²
Est. Forestay Length
38.50 ft / 11.73 m
Mast Height (DWL)
40.42 ft / 12.32 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Universal
Engine Model
Atomic 4
Engine Type
Gas
Horsepower
30
Fuel Capacity
12 gals / 45 L
Water Capacity
20 gals / 76 L