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Ericson 34
Designer: Bruce King  ·  Builder: Ericson Yachts  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Ericson 34

Built during the 1970s and 1980s, this mid-sized cruiser represents Ericson Yachts' commitment to performance-oriented design during their most successful era. The company earned a strong reputation among sailors seeking boats that balanced comfortable cruising with respectable sailing performance, and this 34-footer exemplifies that philosophy. Designed with a moderate displacement hull and clean lines typical of the period, this model appeals to sailors looking for coastal cruising capabilities with occasional offshore potential. The boat's proportions suggest a well-balanced design that should handle a variety of conditions competently, from light air sailing to moderate weather passages. Ericson's reputation for solid construction quality during this period makes these boats attractive to buyers seeking proven designs with good sailing characteristics. The builder's focus on performance means owners can expect better sailing ability than many production cruisers of similar vintage, while still enjoying reasonable interior accommodations for weekend trips or extended coastal cruising. For sailors considering boats from this era, Ericson's track record for durability and the company's emphasis on sailing performance over pure comfort makes this an interesting option worth investigating further.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$12,900 – $47,500
typical asking price
Median $24,000  ·  5 listings used
All listings
$12,900 – $47,500 5
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) 34.12 ft / 10.40 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.87 ft / 8.80 m
Beam 10.75 ft / 3.28 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast 5,000.00 lb / 2,268 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 494.00 ft² / 45.89 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bruce King
Builder Ericson Yachts
First Built 1978
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For
Medium Hull/Deck
The deck-to-hull joint on Ericson 34s uses an outward-turning flange secured with through-bolts and bedding compound. This joint is prone to weeping leaks, particularly along the toerail, which can saturate the balsa core in the deck edge over time.
High Hull/Deck
Ericson used balsa core extensively in the deck of this model. Water intrusion through deck hardware fittings — especially stanchion bases, chainplates, and cleats — commonly leads to soft, saturated, or delaminated core sections. Tap the entire deck carefully.
High Keel
The encapsulated lead keel on the Ericson 34 can develop cracks in the fiberglass shell at the keel-to-hull joint, allowing water intrusion. Inspect this area closely for gelcoat cracking, weeping rust stains, or soft laminate, which may indicate structural separation.
High Hull/Deck
Chainplate knees are glassed to the interior hull liner and can delaminate from the hull over time due to rig loads. The chainplate area should be inspected for cracking in the surrounding laminate or movement under load.
Medium Accommodations
The interior liner on Ericson 34s is bonded to the hull and can develop voids or separations behind the liner over the years, making leak sources difficult to trace. Water intrusion from deck fittings often travels behind the liner and appears far from its source.
Medium Engine
Early Ericson 34s were commonly fitted with the Universal diesel in a relatively tight engine compartment with limited access. Raw water impeller housing and heat exchanger access are cramped, leading to deferred maintenance; verify full service history and inspect for overheating damage.
late 1970s–early 1980s models
High Rigging
The aluminum chainplate backing plates used by Ericson can corrode and lose clamping force, particularly where they contact moisture. On the Ericson 34, the inboard chainplates pass through the deck and are a known leak point; inspect backing plates from below for corrosion and elongated holes.
Medium Hull/Deck
The rudder on the Ericson 34 has a fiberglass shell over an internal foam core and metal armature. Water intrusion into the rudder through the blade or stock area can cause delamination and, in cold climates, freeze-thaw damage that compromises rudder integrity.

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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
 159
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
 17.09
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
 21.47
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
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. 7.2
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
 2.9
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.83
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.37
SA Fore 297.35
SA Main 197.03
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