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- Ericson 28+
The Ericson 28+ Sailboat
Designed by Bruce King and built in the USA by Ericson Yachts, the Ericson 28+ is a good performer under sail.
Published Specification for the Ericson 28+
Underwater Profile: Fin keel with spade rudder
Hull Material: GRP (fibreglass)
Length Overall: 28' 6" / 8.7m
Waterline Length: 24' 2" / 7.4m
Beam: 10' 6" / 3.20m
Draft: 5' 0" / 1.5m
Rig Type: Fractional Sloop
Displacement: 7,500lb / 3,402kg
Designer: Bruce King
Builder: Ericson Yachts (USA)
Year First Built: 1980
Year Last Built: 1984
Number Built: 90
Published Design Ratios for the Ericson 28+
Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 17.7
- Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
- 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
- Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.
Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 40.0
- Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
- Over 40: stiffer, more powerful
Displacement/Length Ratio: 237
- Under 100: Ultralight
- 100 to 200: Light
- 200 to 275: Moderate
- 275 to 350: Heavy
- Over 350: Ultraheavy
Comfort Ratio: 19.9
- Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
- 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
- 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
- 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
- Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat
Capsize Screening Formula: 2.2
- Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
- Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages
read more about these all-revealing numbers...
Sailboat-Cruising.com says...
About the boat:.
The Ericson 28+ is relatively stiff and stable, and can handle moderate to strong winds without excessive heeling or weather helm.
The sail area of the Ericson 28+ is 39.2 m² (422 ft²), which gives it a sail area/displacement ratio of 17.6. This means that the boat is moderately powered and can sail well in light to moderate winds. The fractional rig provides for easier sail handling and trimming, especially when sailing upwind. The boat also has a spade rudder, which provides good maneuverability and responsiveness.
The Ericson 28+ has a diesel engine with 11 HP, which can provide adequate power for motoring when there is no wind or when docking or anchoring. The fuel capacity is 95 l (25 gal), which gives the boat a decent range for coastal cruising.
How is the accommodation of the Ericson 28+?
The Ericson 28+ has a spacious and comfortable interior for its size, thanks to its wide beam and clever layout. The boat can accommodate up to six people, although four would be more comfortable for longer trips.
The boat has two dedicated sleeping cabins: a V-berth in the bow, which can sleep two people, and a quarter berth in the aft starboard side, which can sleep one person. The main cabin also has two settees that can be converted into single berths, one on each side of the folding table.
The boat has a galley on the port side, which has a sink, a stove, an icebox, and ample storage space. The boat also has a head on the starboard side, which has a sink, a toilet, and a shower.
The boat has plenty of natural light and ventilation from the large windows and hatches. The boat also has ample headroom of about 1.8 m (6 ft) throughout the cabin.
How does the Ericson 28+ perform under sail?
The Ericson 28+ is a fun and fast sailboat that can handle various sailing conditions with ease. The boat is well-balanced and responsive, and can point well upwind thanks to its fractional rig and fin keel. The boat can also sail well downwind with its large genoa or spinnaker.
The boat is suitable for both inshore and coastal sailing, as well as offshore or ocean voyages, depending on the skill and experience of the crew. The boat has a hull speed of about 7.4 kn (8.5 mph), which means that it can cover good distances in moderate winds. The boat also has a comfortable motion at sea under sail, although it might be lively in rougher seas.
The boat's main weakness is its performance in very light winds, when it might need some help from the engine to keep moving. However, this is not uncommon for most sailboats of this size and type.
About the Designer:
Bruce King was a yacht designer from California who became famous in the early 1960s for his collaboration with Ericson Yachts, for which he designed many production fiberglass racing and cruising yachts. He also designed large custom sailing and motor yachts, using modern technology and composite materials, and was known for his series of successful offshore racing classic maxi yachts¹.
Sailboats designed by Bruce King include:
- Ericson 27 (1971): A 26' 8" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, suitable for coastal cruising.
- Ericson 25+ (1978): A 25' 5" sloop with a shoal draft keel and a centerboard, featuring a pop-top cabin for extra headroom.
- Ericson 35-2 (1969): A 34' 8" sloop with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, one of the most popular models from Ericson Yachts.
- Ericson 32-2 (1969): A 31' 7" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a fast and comfortable cruiser-racer.
- Ericson 23-2 (1975): A 22' 11" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a trailerable pocket cruiser.
- Ericson 23-1 (1969): A 22' 6" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, the first model designed by Bruce King for Ericson Yachts.
- Ericson 38 (1979): A 37' 7" sloop with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a spacious and seaworthy cruiser.
- Ericson 39 (1970): A 39' sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a fast and sleek racer-cruiser.
- Ericson 28+ (1980): A 28' 6" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, an upgraded version of the Ericson 28 with more interior space.
- Ericson 31 Independence (1977): A 31' cutter with a full keel and an attached rudder, a traditional bluewater cruiser.
- Ericson 36C (1975): A 35' 11" cutter with a fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder, a performance-oriented cruiser.
- Ericson 37 (1973): A 37' 5" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, a powerful and agile racer-cruiser.
- Ericson 41 (1968): A 41' 4" sloop with a fin keel and a spade rudder, an elegant and fast offshore cruiser.
- Zap 26 (1977): A 25' 11" sloop with a lifting keel and twin rudders, a lightweight and fun sportboat.
- Zap 29 (1978): A 29' sloop with a lifting keel and twin rudders, an enlarged version of the Zap 26.
- Tradewinds 55 (1980): A 54' 9" ketch with a long keel and an attached rudder, a luxurious and classic cruiser.
- Islander 37 (1966): A 36' 6" sloop with a long keel and an attached rudder, an early design by Bruce King for Islander Yachts.
- Islander 55 (1968): A 54' 7" ketch with a long keel and an attached rudder, the largest model from Islander Yachts.
- Yachtcraft 37 (1966): A variant of the Islander 37 built by Yachtcraft Marine in Canada.
- Yachtcraft MS (1974): A motorsailer version of the Yachtcraft/Islander 37 with an enclosed pilothouse.
- Cape Bay 31 (1977): A 31' sloop with a long keel and an attached rudder, a traditional and sturdy cruiser.
- Signe (1990): A 35 m schooner with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a classic and elegant yacht built by Renaissance Yachts.
- Hetairos (1993): A 42.9 m ketch with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a stunning and fast yacht built by Abeking & Rasmussen.
- Alejandra (1993): A 41.3 m ketch with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a sister ship of Hetairos built by Royal Huisman.
- Sophie (1994): A 28.8 m sloop with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a graceful and swift yacht built by Renaissance Yachts.
- Antonisa (1999): A 39.6 m sloop with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a refined and elegant yacht built by Hodgdon Yachts.
- Maria Cattiva (2003): A 39.9 m sloop with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a sister ship of Antonisa built by Royal Huisman.
- Whitefin (1983): A 27.4 m schooner with a clipper bow and a counter stern, a beautiful and fast yacht built by Renaissance Yachts.
- Scheherazade (2003): A 47.4 m ketch with a clipper bow and a counter stern, the largest sailing yacht designed by Bruce King, built by Hodgdon Yachts.
This additional info was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material, and believes it to be accurate to the best of their knowledge.
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Ericson 28+ Info
- Thread starter Robert Douglas
- Start date May 23, 2022
Robert Douglas
- May 23, 2022
Hi everyone, Name is Robert and my wife and I currently own and sail a Cape Dory 25D out out of Boston. We are smaller boat people, but value strong builds, longer distance capability when needed, and are not looking for a starter boat per se. Given the strong build of Ericson Yatchs, I am wondering if folks can advise me on this boat's abilities given an expereinced crew and proper equipment. We are looking to purchase and my goals are the following: Sail safely and in relative comfort for a small boat in the greater New England area including the Gulf of Maine. Perhaps plan and execute a trip to Bermuda one day, and/or participation in one of the West to East (more difficult) Cross Atlantic experinces (ARC) with the World Cruising Club. Mostly the boat will be used for cruising, but possibilities are important to me. Thoughts? Is anyone aware of a good article or review of the boat? Thank you very much for any help folks can provide! Robert
Christian Williams
E381 - los angeles, model-specific.
Thanks so much Christian - I am feeling a bit star struck as your books turned me on to the Ericson line. I am seeing a 32-3 next week-end that may need to be repowered, but is priced to reflect this. Also, she has a wing keel, which I am not sure about in terms of my needs/wants. I think I prefer the nice deep fin keel - especially as a current full keel sailor. Thanks again Christian - I will start looking at models larger than the 28+ up to the 32-3. I appreciate the advice!!
Sustaining Member
Sailboatdata.com - ericson 28+ sailboat.
ERICSON 28-2 - sailboatdata
markvone said: Hi Robert, If you are referring to the 1980 - 1984 Ericson 28+, I've heard it's difficult motoring due to the engine/shaft being off center. My local Ericson dealer, back in the day, strongly urged buyers to order the wheel version to help fight tiller pull to one side due to prop wash. This would be a non-starter for me. I think having a tiller option is one of the advantages of boats this size. SailboatData.com - ERICSON 28+ Sailboat Sailboat and sailing yacht searchable database with more than 8,000 sailboats from around the world including sailboat photos and drawings. About the ERICSON 28+ sailboat sailboatdata.com The later Ericson 28-2 from 1986 - up does not suffer this problem and I would much prefer it. I believe it also got a full TAFG in its redesign. This model is most identifiable by the T shaped cockpit vs the 28+ linear cockpit. ERICSON 28-2 - sailboatdata Deep draft: (Competition) 5.5’/1.68m sailboatdata.com Mark Click to expand...
The version I was looking at here in New England was a 1988 28 plus. Might that version have the off center prop?
Loren Beach
O34 - portland, or.
Robert Douglas said: The version I was looking at here in New England was a 1988 28 plus. Might that version have the off center prop? Click to expand...
Loren Beach said: And don't overlook the Ericson 30-2 and Ericson 30+. Since you are starting to shop in the E-28 size/displacement range.... do not overlook an Olson 911, should one appear the market. Happy shopping! Loren Click to expand...
markvone said: No. And the 1986 - up E28 model really isn't the 28+ (28 or 28-2) but people aren't always particular about nomenclature. The later model has a T shaped cockpit and most had wheel steering. You are good with all E28s 1986 and newer. Mark Click to expand...
- May 24, 2022
Robert, I graduated from a Sabre 28 to an Ericson 32-3 two years ago and am quite happy with the purchase. Sabre 28 (also 30) had an offset prop and I enjoyed waving to marina friends while backing out the marina fairway straight as an arrow. The offset compensates for the prop walk. My boat had wheel. Here are a few thoughts comparing 28' and 32' after two years of ownership and a solo trip exploring the lower and middle Chesapeake Bay. Some are specific to Ericson 32-3, some may apply to other boats. Wide side deck: CD 25-D's shrouds are outboard, E-28 are inboard so moving forward will be a different experience. 32-3 has a wider deck which makes moving forward easier. Sabre 28's shrouds are in the middle, tough to navigate for larger person. Dinghy storage: I was able to store 9' inflatable dinghy fully inflated on the foredeck without interfering with the anchor locker. I doubt you can do that on a 28' boat. Dinghy davit on a 32' just doesn't look right to me. LWL matters: Chesapeake Bay can be rough. I was impressed by the upwind motion on the 32-2. This can be attributed to longer waterline, heavier displacement, keel configuration (Sabre 28 has 4'8" keel, my 32-3 has 4'3" shoal keel), or a combination of all. One butt boat vs. two-butts boat: wider beam means two can cross each other in saloon with ease. Counter surface: I never thought this matters since cooking elaborated meals is not something I do. But the counter surface is more than for chopping onion, it doubles as a work bench, temporary storage when I had boat torn apart. The companion step doubles as a counter surface in the Sabre 28. I do encourage you to compare 32-3 and 32-200 layouts if aft head is a must. In 32-3, you have to step halfway into the V berth to use the head. The family whom I purchased the 32-3 from moved to other boats but returned to a 32-200, it suit a family with 2 children. Just be aware that any boats with an aft cabin and head not only take away storage but may disperse mechanical components to odd places. Good luck hunting. I am quite happy with the move from a New England boat to a West Coast boat.
Actual Berth Size (Master Thread)
jtsai said: Robert, I graduated from a Sabre 28 to an Ericson 32-3 two years ago and am quite happy with the purchase. Sabre 28 (also 30) had an offset prop and I enjoyed waving to marina friends while backing out the marina fairway straight as an arrow. The offset compensates for the prop walk. My boat had wheel. Here are a few thoughts comparing 28' and 32' after two years of ownership and a solo trip exploring the lower and middle Chesapeake Bay. Some are specific to Ericson 32-3, some may apply to other boats. Wide side deck: CD 25-D's shrouds are outboard, E-28 are inboard so moving forward will be a different experience. 32-3 has a wider deck which makes moving forward easier. Sabre 28's shrouds are in the middle, tough to navigate for larger person. Dinghy storage: I was able to store 9' inflatable dinghy fully inflated on the foredeck without interfering with the anchor locker. I doubt you can do that on a 28' boat. Dinghy davit on a 32' just doesn't look right to me. LWL matters: Chesapeake Bay can be rough. I was impressed by the upwind motion on the 32-2. This can be attributed to longer waterline, heavier displacement, keel configuration (Sabre 28 has 4'8" keel, my 32-3 has 4'3" shoal keel), or a combination of all. One butt boat vs. two-butts boat: wider beam means two can cross each other in saloon with ease. Counter surface: I never thought this matters since cooking elaborated meals is not something I do. But the counter surface is more than for chopping onion, it doubles as a work bench, temporary storage when I had boat torn apart. The companion step doubles as a counter surface in the Sabre 28. I do encourage you to compare 32-3 and 32-200 layouts if aft head is a must. In 32-3, you have to step halfway into the V berth to use the head. The family whom I purchased the 32-3 from moved to other boats but returned to a 32-200, it suit a family with 2 children. Just be aware that any boats with an aft cabin and head not only take away storage but may disperse mechanical components to odd places. Good luck hunting. I am quite happy with the move from a New England boat to a West Coast boat. Click to expand...
Loren Beach said: Actual Berth Size (Master Thread) http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?t=7522 This current thread is getting into assessing the "sleeping accommodations" on the Ericson 38 series, and I thought it would be useful to transition to a fresh thread with some comparative stats on the various Ericsons. This topic... ericsonyachts.org This can be a helpful thread when comparing models, and if anyone sees a missing boat model, PLEASE add some 'sleeping' info numbers. Click to expand...
This is a fresh water only boat with excellent care and light use. .... a must see for anyone in the market. Ericson is famous for the quality of its build, and for sailing performance in all weather. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Starting forward, there is a vee berth with a removeable centerline insert. The insert can be lowered for seating, or raised to increase sleeping area. Next aft, the head is to starboard with a shower. The head has an opening port for light and ventilation, lots of storage, and plenty of room. She had a manual head with holding tank and pump out. Across the hull to port is a hanging lock and more storage. Next aft is the salon. To port is a settee. To starboard is a second settee. This settee expands to form a double berth when desired. There is a dinette table that folds up against the forward bulkhead to allow more room when desired. The table can be used in a full mode (shown) or only half unfolded. Behind the table on the bulkhead is more storage for cups, wine, books, etc. . The engine is under the companionway, with 3 comfortable steps leading up to the cockpit. Aft and to starboard is the quarterberth. At the head of the quarterberth is the electrical panel with the circuit breakers and controls for the whole boat. 
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IMAGES
COMMENTS
A boat with a BN of 1.6 or greater is a boat that will be reefed often in offshore cruising. Derek Harvey, “Multihulls for Cruising and Racing”, International Marine, Camden, Maine, 1991, states that a BN of 1 is generally accepted as the dividing line between so-called slow and fast multihulls.
About the Boat: The Ericson 28+ is relatively stiff and stable, and can handle moderate to strong winds without excessive heeling or weather helm. The sail area of the Ericson 28+ is 39.2 m² (422 ft²), which gives it a sail area/displacement ratio of 17.6. This means that the boat is moderately powered and can sail well in light to moderate ...
Mar 15, 2020 · My first keelboat, “Island Magic” was a 28 Islander. The Ericson 28 and Tartan 27, were the other two I looked at. Very comparable the Ericksons are well made and spacious for the size. All three sail adequately. As stated it is a good boat to learn on and begin a cruising experience.
Aug 21, 2009 · Ericson 28 As my first and only boat, I purchased my 1988 E28 about 8 years ago. Great boat, solid, easily single handed. The interior, if well maintained, is a head-turner. Since purchase, I've added an autopilot and stereo (my E28 was pre-wired for cabin speakers).
May 23, 2022 · SailboatData.com - ERICSON 28+ Sailboat Sailboat and sailing yacht searchable database with more than 8,000 sailboats from around the world including sailboat photos and drawings. About the ERICSON 28+ sailboat
1988 Ericson 28 . This is a fresh water only boat with excellent care and light use. .... a must see for anyone in the market. ... Allows all seacocks to remain ...
28 Ericson is a 28' (8.53m) Cruising or Racing Sailboat built by ERICSON YACHTS and delivered in 1984. Photos and specifications available below. Photos and specifications available below. Find yachts and boats listed for sale and ones off the market in our YATCO Yacht & Boat Directory.
1981 Ericson 28+ If you're looking for an affordable, well-equipped cruising boat that can keep up with the big boys, this may be the boat for you. The Ericson 28+, designed by Bruce King, is a fast, stiff and comfortable cruiser with all the interior room of a 35 footer, in under 29 feet.
Ericson 28+ is a 28′ 6″ / 8.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Bruce King and built by Ericson Yachts between 1980 and 1984. Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session.
Jan 27, 2008 · T28 well made boat. Maybe a little stiffer than the Ericson. Both are good boats, but only the survey wil tell. I lived in OC, NJ for 18 years and sailed an Islander 28 out of OC of many of them and also spent 5 years in Barnegat Bay.