Ericson 38

1979–1987 · designed by Bruce King · built by Ericson Yachts

The Ericson 38 was designed as a performance-oriented coastal and offshore cruiser aimed at the serious bluewater-capable market segment of the late 1970s through mid-1980s. Bruce King penned a hull that balanced IOR racing influences with cruising utility, giving the boat a reputation for lively sailing and solid offshore capability. It became one of the more respected production cruisers of its era, favored by buyers who wanted a boat that could race competitively on weekends and cross an ocean when called upon.

This is a general read on the Ericson 38 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: Bolt On Lead
Rudder: Spade
Mast step: Keel Stepped
Hull construction: Fiberglass
Production: 1979–1987
Built in: USA

What the Ericson 38 is known for

Responsive, well-balanced sailing performance with a hull form that rewards skilled sailors — notably quick on its lines for a production cruiser of its era.
Keel-stepped rig is a conservative, offshore-appropriate engineering choice that holds up well in heavy weather.
Solid fiberglass hull (balsa-cored deck) with Ericson build quality above average for production contemporaries of the period — laminate and interior joinery were well regarded.
Active owner community at ericsonyachts.org means hard-to-find knowledge and sourcing support is available to owners.

Known trade-offs

Balsa-cored deck is nearly universally showing moisture intrusion at hardware penetrations on hulls of this age — treat deck work as a likely cost on any purchase.
Interior volume is modest for a 38-footer by modern standards, reflecting the IOR-era emphasis on performance over accommodation.
Original standing rigging, if not replaced, is a safety liability on any hull approaching or past 20 years from last re-rig — this is a budget certainty, not a maybe.
Spade rudder post and bearings on unserviced hulls can develop dangerous slop — this is a specific inspection point that skeg-hung designs do not share.
Older electrical systems are typically a layered patchwork of modifications with no central documentation — budget for a full electrical audit and likely partial rewire on most examples.

Age-related quirks to expect

Osmotic blistering below waterline Medium 1979-1987 (all years)

Balsa core deck delamination and rot around hardware penetrations High 1979-1987 (all years)

Original Universal or Westerbeke diesel approaching or past service life Medium 1979-1987 (all years)

Standing rigging life on unrepowered or original rigs — chainplates and wire at or past age threshold High 1979-1987 (all years)

Spade rudder post and bearing wear — a known fatigue point on aging spade-rudder hulls Medium 1979-1987 (all years)

Teak deck overlay over fiberglass — seam failure and underlying deck core saturation Medium 1979-1987 (fitted hulls)

Systems to check before you buy

Deck core and chainplate area priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

Balsa-cored deck is prone to water intrusion at every fastener penetration — stanchion bases, cleats, and chainplates in particular. Probe with a moisture meter across the entire deck, tap-test for soft spots, and inspect chainplate knees for weeping rust staining below decks. Saturated core and corroded chainplates are the single most common expensive surprise on this class.

Keel-to-hull joint and keel bolts priority: offshore, coastal

Bolt-on lead keel with a fiberglass sump. Inspect for weeping rust stains radiating from the keel bolt recesses, soft or cracked tabbing at the hull-keel interface, and any lateral play. A surveyor should pull at least one keel bolt sample on older hulls. Keel bolt replacement is a haulout job and costs increase sharply if the sump is compromised.

Standing rigging and mast step priority: offshore, coastal, racing

Wire rigging and swaged terminals on boats of this vintage are typically well past their offshore service life (15-20 year standard). Check for meat-hook strand failures at swages, inspect the keel-stepped mast heel for corrosion and the mast step casting for cracks. A full re-rig is likely required for any offshore passage planning.

Spade rudder post and bearings priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard

The Ericson 38 uses a spade rudder — check for slop at the rudder head (lift and push laterally at the trailing edge), inspect the rudder post where it exits the hull for corrosion or weeping, and verify the lower bearing has not deteriorated. A sloppy spade rudder is a safety issue offshore and repair cost escalates if the post is compromised.

Engine and raw water cooling system priority: offshore, coastal, liveaboard, motor

Original Universal or Westerbeke diesels are aged. Check engine hours, raw water impeller housing for erosion, heat exchanger for saltwater scale, and exhaust elbow for corrosion failure — a known failure point on aged marinized engines. Many hulls have been repowered; verify that installation quality was professional.

How it fits your plans

Offshore: A capable offshore hull in competent hands, but only after a thorough refit of rigging, through-hulls, and any deck core issues. The keel-stepped rig is a genuine offshore design feature. The spade rudder requires inspection of post and bearings before bluewater use. Budget for a full refit before offshore use on any unvetted example.
Coastal: Well-suited for coastal cruising with good performance and comfortable motion. Many examples are actively used this way. Standard pre-purchase inspection diligence applies — deck core and rigging are the top items to price before offer.
Liveaboard: Reasonable liveaboard platform for a 38-footer of its era — adequate cabin volume, separate head, and a proper galley. Older systems (electrical, plumbing, engine) will demand ongoing attention and budget. Not a boat to liveaboard on a tight maintenance budget without a thorough systems audit first.
Weekending: A strong weekending boat — responsive, sails well, and handles a crew comfortably. The IOR-influenced hull gives enjoyable performance even in weekend conditions.
Racing: Competitive in its era under IOR rules; today primarily participates in PHRF club racing. Performance credentials are genuine but the hull is not competitive at the front of current fleets without significant updating.
Motor: Adequate auxiliary power for a cruising sailboat of this size; original engine installations are aged and should be assessed carefully.

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