Does anyone know of a book or magazine article that describes the history of the Ericson? I have searched the major book sellers and boat sites with no luck. I am a subscriber to Good Old Boat magazine and they do profiles on boat lines, but I have not seen anything on the Ericson.
Gary,
The only mention of Ericson's history that I have found
is in Dan Spurrs book on the fiberglass boat industry.
There is a small paragraph on Ericson and some of his
facts are dead wrong. Is there something in particular
you would like to know? Perhaps I can help you.
Martin
The only mention of Ericson's history that I have found
is in Dan Spurrs book on the fiberglass boat industry.
There is a small paragraph on Ericson and some of his
facts are dead wrong. Is there something in particular
you would like to know? Perhaps I can help you.
Martin
Here are a couple of sites...
http://ericsonalbergclassic.homestead.com/page2.html
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Concourse/8326/ericson/ericson_history.htm
Use cut and paste to get these into your browser. I did a quick search in Google for "ericson yachts history" and found them on the first page of results.
IMO, Ericson had quite a long history, and their saga of having changes in the company while keeping the name was tame compared to Islander or C&C.
Major sailboat builder survivors seem to be the brands that avoided debt and stayed private, like Catalina. In our city, Cascade Yachts is still building boats, having started in the early 60's, as a private company, as just one example.
Best,
Loren in PDX
http://ericsonalbergclassic.homestead.com/page2.html
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Concourse/8326/ericson/ericson_history.htm
Use cut and paste to get these into your browser. I did a quick search in Google for "ericson yachts history" and found them on the first page of results.
IMO, Ericson had quite a long history, and their saga of having changes in the company while keeping the name was tame compared to Islander or C&C.
Major sailboat builder survivors seem to be the brands that avoided debt and stayed private, like Catalina. In our city, Cascade Yachts is still building boats, having started in the early 60's, as a private company, as just one example.
Best,
Loren in PDX
Yeah, well that E 32 homepage is full of erroneous
info as well. The Kohlman's were not on the scene
until the 80's. Gene was a former salesman and worked
for the Bay area dealer. Bruce King did design a new
boat-a 43 that was to become the next generation of
Ericsons in the 90's. It was targeted toward 38 owners
looking to move up, but was not produced. I don't know where the rumor started about PS chopping up the molds, but I asked Don Kohlman in person about it earlier this year and he assured methey were in fact, intact.
Ericson was an undercapitalized company that managed
to hang on for nearly 3 decades and produced some
nice boats along the way. Rising labor and material
costs along with competition from the used boat
market pushed boatbuilders to the edge, and
the luxury tax was the final straw for many.
Martin
E31C
info as well. The Kohlman's were not on the scene
until the 80's. Gene was a former salesman and worked
for the Bay area dealer. Bruce King did design a new
boat-a 43 that was to become the next generation of
Ericsons in the 90's. It was targeted toward 38 owners
looking to move up, but was not produced. I don't know where the rumor started about PS chopping up the molds, but I asked Don Kohlman in person about it earlier this year and he assured methey were in fact, intact.
Ericson was an undercapitalized company that managed
to hang on for nearly 3 decades and produced some
nice boats along the way. Rising labor and material
costs along with competition from the used boat
market pushed boatbuilders to the edge, and
the luxury tax was the final straw for many.
Martin
E31C
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Gary,
I'm not sure there's enough there for a book! The late sixties
through the 70's were the golden years for fiberglass
boat production. Costa Mesa was the center for much
of it-there seemed to be a builder on every corner and
customers were lining up to buy. If this subject interests
you, check out Spurrs book "Heart of Glass", it's an
interesting look back at this era.
Martin
E31C
I'm not sure there's enough there for a book! The late sixties
through the 70's were the golden years for fiberglass
boat production. Costa Mesa was the center for much
of it-there seemed to be a builder on every corner and
customers were lining up to buy. If this subject interests
you, check out Spurrs book "Heart of Glass", it's an
interesting look back at this era.
Martin
E31C
Rocinante33
Contributing Partner
Gary,
Good Old Boat magazine will have the E-29 as the featured boat for the Jan '04. Perhaps they will throw in some Ericson history. Check it out.
Keith
Good Old Boat magazine will have the E-29 as the featured boat for the Jan '04. Perhaps they will throw in some Ericson history. Check it out.
Keith
Thanks. I had emailed Jerry Powlas at GOB, and he told me they had the E29 story in the next edition. It looks like the history I want is going to be piecemeal -- a little bit from one source and a little bit from another. Whatever. I just know that my wife and I are enjoying our E28 even more than we thought we would. I also notice that when I mention to our marina mates that we have an Erickson, I see a bit of envy in their eyes.
EY.o - v.2
On the new site there will be an 'Company History' page - which I'll combine current sources of info - and that will be corrected and referenced until it's correct....hopefully...
//sse
On the new site there will be an 'Company History' page - which I'll combine current sources of info - and that will be corrected and referenced until it's correct....hopefully...
//sse
rbonilla
"don't tread on me" member XVXIIIII
don't forget the So Ca EPA & Emission regulation in the early to mid 80's for boat mfgs that wanted to "lay up" fiberglass...When I worked @ Ericson Inc...that was a big problem...
