Design and Construction
Bruce King drew the 29 as a recreational keelboat in the mold of other popular Ericson cruisers of the era, and the result is a solid-fiberglass hull with wood trim rather than an exotic cored structure. The raised counter and angled transom give her a distinctive profile among the shorter Ericsons, while the 45.88 ballast-displacement ratio places her firmly in the coastal cruiser class. She is not a lightweight racer, but the 356 displacement-to-length ratio and 28.3 comfort figure speak to a settled, load-carrying hull meant for nights at anchor as much as daysailing.
Rig and Handling
The 29 wears a masthead sloop Bermuda rig with a standard sail plan totaling 407 square feet—a 184-square-foot main beneath a 223-square-foot jib or genoa on a 36.5-foot foretriangle. A factory tall rig stood the mast about two feet higher for lighter-air regions, but the standard 40.42-foot mast height from the waterline suits most cruising grounds. Steering is by an internally mounted spade rudder on a tiller, with an optional wheel offered; the spade gives quick response, though period observations note she is not as easy to handle singlehanded as Ericson’s shorter models. Her hull speed calculates to 6.29 knots, and the shallow-ish 4.33-foot fin keeps her manageable in tight anchorages.
Accommodations
Below, the 29 sleeps five with a layout that uses her 9.25-foot beam well. A double V-berth fills the bow cabin, while the main cabin holds two straight settee quarter berths and a drop-leaf table for meals. A third quarter berth lies aft to starboard, and the head sits just aft of the bow cabin on the same side. The L-shaped galley to port, just forward of the companionway, carries an ice box and sink—compact but functional for a 29-footer, and reviewers noted there is plenty of room to move around despite the berth count.
Engine and Systems
Propulsion comes from a Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine rated at 30 horsepower, fed by a 12-gallon fuel tank and backed by 20 gallons of fresh water. The Atomic 4 is a period-standard four-cylinder, and the modest tankage reflects her design brief as a coastal cruiser.
The Verdict
The Ericson 29 is a King-designed cruiser that balances accommodation and handling in a 1970s fiberglass package. She rewards a couple or small family with five berths and a real galley, yet asks for crew assistance over the shorter Ericsons when sailed solo. The tall-rig option and tiller-or-wheel choice let a buyer tailor her, but the shallow fin and 6.29-knot hull speed cap her ambitions at coastal waters.
Pros
- Sleeps five with a practical L-shaped galley and drop-leaf table
- Bruce King cruiser pedigree with solid fiberglass hull and wood trim
- Optional tall rig and wheel steering broaden appeal
Cons
- Less singlehanded-friendly than Ericson’s shorter models
- Gasoline Atomic 4 and 12-gallon fuel limit range
- 4.33-foot draft and 6.29-knot hull speed suit coastal cruising only
