Ericson 34-2 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

King, Ericson’s principal designer across three decades, gave the 34-2 sensible proportions. The boat measures 34 feet 10 inches overall, with a 29-foot waterline, an 11-foot 4-inch beam, and a displacement of 13,000 pounds. It carries 5,200 pounds of lead ballast.

Design and Construction

The 34-2 has a solid fiberglass hull formed in a single-piece mold. Its balsa-cored sandwich deck includes plywood backing beneath through-deck fittings. Ericson’s molded Tri-axial Force Grid distributes mast, shroud, and keel loads through thwarts and stringers that give the hull its rigidity.

The fiberglassed hull-to-deck joint is less prone to leaking than through-bolted alternatives. The lead-ballast keel is externally fastened with beefy bolts. Below the waterline, the boat combines a moderate fin keel with a semi-balanced, shallow spade rudder. The rudder consists of foam over a steel frame with a thin fiberglass skin.

Practical Sailor judged the 34-2 to meet the stability and construction standards expected of an offshore cruiser. Several 34-2s have crossed the Atlantic and Pacific.

Rig, Performance, and Handling

The masthead sloop rig carries just under 600 square feet of sail. Its keel-stepped mast has a high-aspect, double-spreader layout. Inboard shrouds and genoa tracks are supplemented by outboard toerail tracks. A cabin-top traveler and mid-boom sheeting keep the mainsheet clear of the cockpit.

Test sailors found that the 34-2 heeled no more than about 15 degrees and settled at 12 degrees, while holding 6.8 knots across an apparent-wind range of 60 to 130 degrees. The 6-foot 2-inch fin keel tracks well to weather, and the balanced rudder provides excellent steering on deep reaches. With a PHRF handicap around 125, the boat is a competitive performer.

Some owners describe the 34-2 as slightly underpowered, but its overall sailing performance remains its strongest attribute.

Cockpit and Interior

The T-shaped cockpit has a standard 36-inch wheel and a raised, cambered seat with gull-wing hatches. Wide side decks make it easier to pass outside the shrouds.

Below, the 34-2 has a real teak-and-holly sole and ample teak joinery. The conventional forward V-berth includes storage shelves. An optional 25-gallon tank beneath the berth supplements the 20-gallon port and starboard tanks.

The keel-stepped mast dominates the saloon, which has a fold-down centerline table. An L-shaped port settee converts into a double berth, while a long settee runs along the starboard side.

The L-shaped galley to port includes a double sink, top-loading fridge, and three-burner stove. Opposite is a forward-facing navigation station large enough for paper charts, with the head and shower immediately aft. Behind the galley, a double quarter berth has drawers, a hanging locker, and opening portlights.

Engine and Known Issues

The standard engine was a 21-horsepower Universal MD 25, although the test boat carried a 28-horsepower Volvo MD-2030. The Universal MD 25’s fuel governor is a known trouble spot: small springs and other components can break and prevent the engine from starting.

Some owners report cracks in the Tri-axial Force Grid. Cracking or crazing around the anchor locker has also been noted. Issues reported specifically on the 34-2 include leaky portlights and a soft cabin sole near the mast step.

The Verdict

The Ericson 34-2 is a well-resolved Bruce King design that balances racer-cruiser performance with a practical, teak-lined interior. Its grid-supported hull and record of offshore passages count in its favor. However, a few owner-reported structural and systems problems deserve a careful survey.

Pros