Back to Search
Ericson 32 3
Designer: Bruce King  ·  Builder: Ericson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Ericson 32 3

Designed by renowned naval architect Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts beginning in 1985, this 32-footer represents a thoughtful evolution in the popular Ericson 32 series. The "3" designation reflects design refinements that enhanced both performance and cruising comfort compared to earlier iterations. With its moderate displacement of 9,800 pounds and well-balanced 4,200-pound ballast package, the Ericson 32-3 delivers predictable sailing characteristics ideal for coastal cruising and club racing. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides responsive handling, while the masthead sloop rig with 497 square feet of sail area offers versatile performance across varying wind conditions. Bruce King's design philosophy shines through in the boat's practical layout and seaworthy proportions. The 25.83-foot waterline length generates a respectable hull speed of 6.81 knots, making this an efficient cruiser for weekend adventures or longer coastal passages. The comfortable 22.79 comfort ratio indicates good motion at sea, while the 2.03 capsize screening value falls within acceptable ranges for experienced sailors. Built with solid fiberglass construction, these boats have earned a reputation for durability and value among the sailing community. The Ericson 32-3 appeals to sailors seeking a well-mannered boat capable of both spirited day sailing and comfortable cruising accommodations.

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.
$19,999 – $19,999
typical asking price
Median $19,999  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$19,999 – $19,999 1
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) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.83 ft / 7.87 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 9,800.00 lb / 4,445 kg
Ballast 4,200.00 lb / 1,905 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 497.00 ft² / 46.17 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bruce King
Builder Ericson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1985
Associations Ericson Yachts Information
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Ericson 32 3? Submit a known issue

Performance Ratios
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
 17.42
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
 42.86
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
 253.87
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
 22.79
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
 2.03
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. 6.81 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
 2.18
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. 999.54 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. 17.42
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.80 ft / 4.21 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 36.00 ft / 10.97 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
SA Fore 289.80 ft² / 26.92 m²
SA Main 207.00 ft² / 19.23 m²
SA Total (100%) 496.80 ft² / 46.15 m²
Est. Forestay Length 44.21 ft / 13.48 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 21
Fuel Capacity 22 gals / 83 L
Water Capacity 33 gals / 125 L
Find a Ericson 32 3 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace