King gave the boat classic, head-turning lines, while an original light-blue hull option also drew compliments. The result is a graceful, space-efficient design that earned its keep as an inexpensive but solid coastal cruiser.
Design and Construction
The 35 Mark II measures 34 feet 8 inches overall, with a 25-foot-10-inch waterline, a 10-foot beam, and a modest 4-foot-11-inch draft. The comparatively light 11,600-pound hull carries 5,000 pounds of ballast. Its .43 ballast-to-displacement ratio and 300 displacement-to-length figure mark it as a lively coastal cruiser rather than a heavy voyager.
Bruce King drew the boat as a then-modern racer/cruiser. Its masthead sloop rig carries 533 square feet of sail at 100 percent, producing a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 16.6.
On this solid coastal hull, owners could order factory upgrades including a teak-and-holly cabin sole, satin-varnished mahogany trim, and distinctive gelcoat colors. These options dressed up an otherwise purposeful interior.
Rig and Handling
Test sailors found the helm neutral until the wind reached about 18 knots. Above that, the boat developed some weather helm, which yielded to easing the traveler or shortening sail. Once settled into her easy groove, she tracked with hardly a hand on the wheel, even in 4- or 5-foot seas. In light Southern California conditions, she averaged 4 to 6 knots.
Under the original 30-horsepower Atomic 4 gasoline engine, the boat made 6 to 6.5 knots in calm conditions. The engine was a bit underpowered when punching into wind and waves, though that was a fair trade for the minimal maintenance demanded by the basic systems.
Accommodations
The galley sits to starboard of the companionway and offers plenty of storage. Its cavernous icebox was extended by owners with closed-cell insulation to hold block ice for at least five days.
To port, a roomy quarter berth proved to be the most comfortable bunk. Just forward are a full-size chart table and an electronics shelf. Amidships to port, a U-shaped settee surrounds a removable dining table; the table drops to convert the settee into a double berth. The straight settee opposite provides another single berth, with storage above, behind, and beneath the seating.
Farther forward, a hanging locker and shelves face the enclosed head to port. The fine bow narrows the V-berth at its forward end.
Known Issues
Long-term owners have documented several recurring weaknesses. After a rough crossing to one of California’s Channel Islands, one boat developed a creak at anchor that was traced to a pulled bulkhead tab.
Soft spots in the deck’s balsa core, particularly around the chainplates, appear on many hulls and were repaired by the owners who found them. Persistent window leaks led to a full removal and rebedding of the windows with new gaskets. Welded seams in the aluminum fuel tank were also known to begin failing, prompting replacement with custom stainless. Some hulls have suffered from blisters as well.
The Verdict
Cruising World found that the Ericson 35 Mark II endures because King balanced sparkling light-air performance and forgiving helm characteristics with a genuinely roomy, practical interior on a low-cost platform. She’s no offshore heavyweight, and the Atomic 4’s modest punch to weather is a real limitation. But as a fun-to-sail coastal cruiser with classic looks, she remains a sensible used proposition for a hands-on owner.
Pros
- Light displacement and a 16.6 SA/D ratio make her quick and fun in light air
- Neutral helm up to 18 knots and good tracking in 4- to 5-foot seas
- Roomy quarter berth, full-size chart table, and versatile U-shaped settee berth
- Factory upgrade options for the cabin sole, trim, and gelcoat
Cons
- Aluminum fuel-tank seam failures and soft balsa core around the chainplates
- Window leaks and occasional bulkhead-tab pulls after hard use
- Atomic 4 is underpowered when motoring into wind and waves
- Some hulls suffer from blisters
