Ericson 35-2 Buyer's Guide
The Ericson 35 Mark II is Bruce King’s 1969–1982 replacement for the original Ericson 35, with about 600 built as a light-displacement racer-cruiser that still draws owners who want a fun, space-filled coastal boat without a heavy price. On the used market you are looking at a 34-foot-8-inch masthead sloop with a 30-horsepower Atomic 4 gasoline engine and 25-gallon water capacity — a package that rewards a careful eyes-open survey.
What to Inspect
The known weak points on this design are well mapped by owner experience and worth a close look on any candidate. Deck softness in the balsa core shows up most around the chainplates, so press and tap the deck near the shroud terminals and watch for spongy feel or dull sound that signals moisture intrusion anchor. Window leaks are persistent: check the interior fiberglass and liner below each fixed light for staining or mildew odor that means the gaskets have let go. The aluminum fuel tank’s welded seams can begin to fail, so smell for gasoline in the bilge and ask whether the tank has been swapped for custom stainless. A pulled bulkhead tab has occurred after rough crossings, so listen for creaks at anchor and inspect the bulkhead-to-hull tabbing for cracks or separation. Finally, some hulls have suffered blisters, so examine the underwater surface for clustered osmotic bumps below the waterline.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
A used Ericson 35 Mark II is a practical pick for a coastal sailor who can handle basic composites and fuel-system work. Before you commit:
- Tap the deck around chainplates for soft balsa core
- Rebed or confirm all window gaskets are leak-free
- Verify the fuel tank seams or proof of stainless replacement
- Listen for bulkhead creaks and check tabbing
- Survey the hull below the waterline for blisters
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Ericson 35-2. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 2 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 25 | 1 | $30,000 | — |
| Aug 25 | 1 | $9,900 | -67.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
3 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ericson 35-3 | 35.5' | $ 20,900 | 22 | 8 |
| Ericson 38 | 37.67' | $ 43,658 | 12 | 3 |
| Ericson 39 | 39' | $ 34,908 | 7 | 4 |