I can't speak for the Ericsons per se, but in the Santana 20 fleet, the wing keels do not point as well going to weather, though they're reputed to be slightly faster going downwind. The wing has a slower phrf rating and no serious competitor would race one, but a good wing sailor can beat a poor fin sailor. The principal should be the same with the E34. The purpose of the keel is not just to provide ballast, but to give hydrodynamic lift to windward. The wing is just not going to do that as well as a fin. If reduced draft is more important to you where you sail, the wing might be better. If you run a wing hard aground into the mud, however, i've heard they can be very difficult to get free. Hopefully someone else will weigh in with more direct experience. Good luck.
