I'm considering buying an Ericson 35 or 38 as a liveaboard, and I wondered if anyone who's owned or been in both boats for a few overnighters could help me. I know that bigger is always better if you're going to spend much of your time at the dock, but it seems to me that the 35 (Mark III--the one with the separate shower, unless later Mark II's had them as well) is a better deal. It LOOKS like the three feet that got pulled out of the 38 to make the Mark III 35 came only out of the galley and navigation table section towards the rear (sorry--aft) of the boat, where, on the 38, you have that little booth-sized area you can close off for privacy in front of the rear quarter berth. Although it's possible that they stole six inches here and three there, etc. I can't tell from the photos.
Anyway, my question is this. If you've spent time--especially lived on--a 35 (Mark III--I've gotta have that separate shower) AND a 38 (the later models--again, with a separate shower and what I think they call the tri-cabin layout), would you recommend going with the 35 as a liveaboard for the slightly cheaper purchase price (or equal purchase price but newer boat) and slightly cheaper most about everything, etc., or do you think that, for a liveaboard, I'd REALLY miss that extra 3 feet, especially if I had guests for a few days or my two daughters (pre-teen) came to visit for a couple of weeks?
I really would appreciate any thoughts on this. Feel free to ramble on about the hows and whys of the differences; I'm an English teacher, so I'm used to that.
As you can see from the above.
Thanks.
Anyway, my question is this. If you've spent time--especially lived on--a 35 (Mark III--I've gotta have that separate shower) AND a 38 (the later models--again, with a separate shower and what I think they call the tri-cabin layout), would you recommend going with the 35 as a liveaboard for the slightly cheaper purchase price (or equal purchase price but newer boat) and slightly cheaper most about everything, etc., or do you think that, for a liveaboard, I'd REALLY miss that extra 3 feet, especially if I had guests for a few days or my two daughters (pre-teen) came to visit for a couple of weeks?
I really would appreciate any thoughts on this. Feel free to ramble on about the hows and whys of the differences; I'm an English teacher, so I'm used to that.
As you can see from the above.
Thanks.