Ericson 27

1971–1978 · designed by Bruce King · built by Ericson Yachts

The Ericson 27 was designed as an affordable, production-built coastal cruiser and club racer for the American weekend sailor. Bruce King's hull prioritized responsive sailing performance over offshore ruggedness, producing a light-displacement boat suited to protected and semi-coastal waters. The design earned a reputation as a lively sailer that rewarded good helmsmanship, and the low purchase price made it a popular entry point into keelboat sailing. It was not intended for deep-water passagemaking and should be evaluated in that context.

This is a general read on the Ericson 27 class — informed background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history, and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.

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At a glance

Hull form: Fin Keel
Ballast: Encapsulated Lead
Rudder: Spade
Mast step: Deck Stepped
Hull construction: Fiberglass
Production: 1971–1978
Built in: USA

What the Ericson 27 is known for

Lively, responsive sailing performance for its size — the fin keel and spade rudder combination produces quick helm response and good upwind ability in moderate air.
Encapsulated lead ballast eliminates the keel bolt corrosion and reattachment risk common on bolt-on keel designs of the same era.
Simple systems and layout reduce maintenance burden and make DIY work accessible to an owner without professional trades experience.
Manageable size for a singlehander or couple, with reasonable sail area that does not require a winch for every maneuver in normal conditions.
Large production run of over 1,300 hulls means a healthy used market, active owner community, and good availability of shared knowledge and spares.

Known trade-offs

Light displacement and moderate freeboard limit seakeeping ability in heavy weather or steep chop — not a comfortable or safe boat when conditions exceed its design envelope.
Deck core delamination is endemic across the class; finding a hull with a genuinely dry deck is the exception, not the rule, and repairs are expensive relative to boat value.
Accommodation is cramped by modern standards — standing headroom is absent or marginal, and the galley and head are rudimentary even for a 27-footer.
Deck-stepped mast means a single stay failure can bring the rig down with no redundancy from a keel step — rigging inspection and replacement history are non-negotiable.
The Atomic 4 gasoline engine, where still fitted, represents a fire and reliability liability that a surveyor will flag on any pre-purchase inspection.

Age-related quirks to expect

Osmotic blistering on early hulls (pre-1975 layups) Medium 1971-1974

Balsa or plywood deck core delamination, especially around hardware penetrations and chainplates High 1971-1978

Original Atomic 4 gasoline engine — aged carburetors, fuel lines, and fire risk if not repowered or recently overhauled High 1971-1978

Chainplate corrosion and leaking deck penetrations — stainless work-hardens and cracks behind fiberglass tabbing High 1971-1978

Standing rigging life — wire rigging on boats with original or unrecorded rig replacement is beyond serviceable life Medium 1971-1978

Systems to check before you buy

Deck core and hardware bedding priority: coastal, offshore, liveaboard, weekending

The balsa or plywood sandwich deck is highly susceptible to water intrusion at every hardware penetration. Soft spots under foot, crazing around cleats and stanchion bases, and weeping hardware are common. A thorough tap-test survey of the entire deck is mandatory. Recore of a badly saturated deck is a major structural and financial undertaking.

Chainplates and bulkhead attachment priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Chainplates on this era of Ericson are stainless plates glassed or bolted through fiberglass and backing structure. Crevice corrosion is hidden behind the fiberglass tabbing and is invisible without removal. Any deck leak near the shroud bases warrants full chainplate pull and inspection before offshore or extended use.

Engine — Atomic 4 or repower condition priority: coastal, liveaboard, offshore, weekending

Boats retaining the original Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine require careful assessment of fuel system integrity, carburetor condition, exhaust water-lift, and fire suppression. Many have been repowered with small diesel inboards — inspect repower quality, motor mounts, shaft alignment, and raw-water circuit.

Standing rigging and deck-stepped mast base priority: offshore, coastal, weekending, racing

Wire rigging on boats with no documented replacement history should be assumed end-of-life. Inspect swage fittings for cracking at the barrel and tangs for elongation. The mast is deck-stepped, meaning a stay failure provides no redundancy from a keel step — the mast will come down. Inspect the deck step casting, mast partners, and compression post below deck for rot or movement.

Hull-to-deck joint and hull blistering priority: coastal, offshore, liveaboard

The hull-to-deck joint on production Ericsons of this era used a mechanical fastener plus bedding compound approach that can open over decades, admitting water and promoting local delamination. Below the waterline, inspect for osmotic blistering — particularly prevalent on early 1970s hand-laid hulls. Barrier coat application cost should be factored into any purchase.

How it fits your plans

Offshore: Not recommended for offshore or bluewater passagemaking. The Ericson 27 is a light-displacement coastal design without the structural reserve, tankage, or seakeeping intended for extended offshore exposure. A well-maintained example could handle coastal passages in settled weather, but the rigging, deck hardware, and overall construction standard are not offshore-grade.
Coastal: Well-suited to coastal daysailing and overnight cruising in protected or semi-exposed waters. The boat performs well in moderate conditions and is manageable for a couple or small crew. Deferred maintenance on aging hulls is the primary risk.
Liveaboard: Tight quarters make full-time liveaboard uncomfortable. Short-term liveaboard is feasible at a dock but the accommodation is spartan. Tankage and systems capacity are limited.
Weekending: This is the design's sweet spot. A clean Ericson 27 makes an economical, fun weekend boat for a couple or small family in calm to moderate conditions. Operating and slip costs are low relative to larger cruisers.
Racing: The boat was competitive in PHRF club racing in its era. Performance-minded owners still race them in one-design and PHRF fleets. As a racer it rewards crew work and sail trim; spinnaker handling in the open cockpit is manageable.

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