I have been inside an Ericson 29, 30+ (ours), 32, 34, 35, 36. I think there is a big difference between the layout of the 29 compared with the others. If you are now wondering if a larger 32 or even 35 might be a better choice for yourself, it might be time for a bit more homework on Yachtworld comparing interiors. Better yet, try to see actual boats in these sizes before you commit.
For us, the 29 would have been the wrong boat, and the 30+ has been absolutely the right boat for us for the past 13 years.
It is an important decision and it takes alot of time and research to get it right, in my opinion.
Frank
Hi Frank,
Now is a good time to re-visit this, as there is certainly a pause in the boats available. The reasons I kept coming back to the 29 were several: it seemed to offer a decent amount of space for the two of us; the galley was functional but about as small as I'd like to go; the cockpit traveller location was good for single handing and clear of the companionway. The things lacking on the 29 are a real nav station, shower, and a dinette style layout (more on this later)
When I compared the 29 with the 32 and 35 on paper (which appear to be its brethren, along with the 27), it seems that the extra few feet in the 32 adds a dinette layout and possibly a shower, and the 35 adds a nav station as well.
When I look at the newer designs like the 30+ and 34T, the nav station and dinette style (and probably a shower) are also added, but the hull shape is more pinched IOR style, giving a different feel to the layout.
Most of the above is based on looking at the drawings and every photo I can find of each example; the only Ericsons I've actually set foot on are two 29s, one early, and one late layout, and one 30+. I liked the 30+ but the boat we looked at was very cluttered inside, so I think that affected my impression of it. At the time, I was mostly looking at C&Cs, and compared to a C&C 35-2 at a similar price on the same dock, the 30+ seemed cramped. Since then, after looking at how scarce and costly moorage is, I decided that I would look at the smallest boat that would give us what we needed to reduce moorage fees, with a focus on solid build and good handling in rough seas. With the 29's fairly heavy displacement and longish keel, and a reasonable price, it seemed to be a good fit. I also prefer the look of the earlier 29/32/35 designs; I think the more moderate beam, and the evenly spaced portlight layouts are more pleasing to my eye.
The dinette interior is something I have changed my mind on several times - when I first saw an early 29, I didn't like the table setup that much, compared with C&C dinettes (and the early 29 woodwork seemed a step below C&C), but then after being on a few boats where the dinette made the cabin too cramped, I started to prefer the two settee style of the 29, thinking it would be more practical for the two of us, with a half table for when we eat inside, or to put the laptop/books on. We'd probably never use the 2nd half of the table.
I think the key is to just get on more boats, but this is difficult to do with so few listed in this area, and even fewer Ericsons. Ironically, there was a nice 34T (I think) at the dock on Gabriola where I saw the last 29; I think it's the first 34 I've seen so far. I've been looking on Yachtworld since last spring, but the only deals seem to be in Toronto or on the East coast. There are a few cheap boats in Washington or California, but not cheap enough to justify the trouble of going that distance (unless we were to just sail it directly to Mexico from California). We have considered travelling to California for a few weeks to look at boats, and it still might come to that, but I'd prefer to start sailing closer to home first.
We're going to a movie to get my mind off this for a while - Ian McAllister's Great Bear movie at the IMAX, which looks amazing.