sgwright67
Member III
Hello,
I am considering a '76 Ericson 29, currently listed for $7500 CAD, with wheel steering, 2 cyl Volvo diesel (not original, but not new either), furler, and propane cook top and heat. I haven't seen the boat as it is a few hours away. I did view a '74 29' last year, but passed on it due to price and condition - core separation in the decks mainly. I've also looked at a 30+ but it is listed at over $20K.
I'm curious about the known weak points of the 29. I like the encapsulated keel design used by Ericson, but the longer fin feel in the 29' seems to make it a bit slower than others in its class, not that I'm too concerned as I won't be racing it. I am planning to cruise the BC coast, and possibly to Haida Gwai and around the Island at some point. My priorities are a safe, comfortable boat for a couple that can handle rough weather, but also be reasonable good in light air and to windward, which is more typical along the inside passages in the summer.
Is the 29' a good fit for this use, given my budget of $20-25K CAD? Or should I be looking at a 30+ or 32?
I like the large aft berth in the 29' but in both examples I've seen, the retrofit of a diesel has meant a modified engine cover which renders the centre portion of the bunk only useful for storage, so it's really just a single. Other boats I have considered are: C&C 26,27,30, 32, 35, Catalina 27,30, San Juan 28, 34, Columbia 36, Newport 28-2, Nicholson 31, 35 and a few others. This list has been based on what is available in my area and price range. I've seen quite a few Ericson 32s and larger, but none for sale yet. One thing the 29 appears to have in its favour, which may offset the lack of speed is the motion comfort, which rates higher than the 32, due to the high displacement and narrower beam. I'm ok giving up a bit of speed for a stiffer, more comfortable boat in rough seas.
Thanks for any tips you can offer.
I am considering a '76 Ericson 29, currently listed for $7500 CAD, with wheel steering, 2 cyl Volvo diesel (not original, but not new either), furler, and propane cook top and heat. I haven't seen the boat as it is a few hours away. I did view a '74 29' last year, but passed on it due to price and condition - core separation in the decks mainly. I've also looked at a 30+ but it is listed at over $20K.
I'm curious about the known weak points of the 29. I like the encapsulated keel design used by Ericson, but the longer fin feel in the 29' seems to make it a bit slower than others in its class, not that I'm too concerned as I won't be racing it. I am planning to cruise the BC coast, and possibly to Haida Gwai and around the Island at some point. My priorities are a safe, comfortable boat for a couple that can handle rough weather, but also be reasonable good in light air and to windward, which is more typical along the inside passages in the summer.
Is the 29' a good fit for this use, given my budget of $20-25K CAD? Or should I be looking at a 30+ or 32?
I like the large aft berth in the 29' but in both examples I've seen, the retrofit of a diesel has meant a modified engine cover which renders the centre portion of the bunk only useful for storage, so it's really just a single. Other boats I have considered are: C&C 26,27,30, 32, 35, Catalina 27,30, San Juan 28, 34, Columbia 36, Newport 28-2, Nicholson 31, 35 and a few others. This list has been based on what is available in my area and price range. I've seen quite a few Ericson 32s and larger, but none for sale yet. One thing the 29 appears to have in its favour, which may offset the lack of speed is the motion comfort, which rates higher than the 32, due to the high displacement and narrower beam. I'm ok giving up a bit of speed for a stiffer, more comfortable boat in rough seas.
Thanks for any tips you can offer.