Design and Construction
The 36C's fiberglass hull carries a ballast ratio of 34 percent, a figure higher than 21 percent of similar sailboats, paired with a length-to-beam ratio of 3.00. That beam proportion is what gives her her character below: evaluated against peer designs, she is roomier than 76 percent of them by length-to-beam ratio, a significant step up in volume from the narrower norm of the era. Her wetted surface measures about 398 square feet, and the immersion rate runs roughly 1,255 pounds per inch, so she settles predictably under load. Ericson built the 36C with different keel alternatives, a flexibility that let owners tailor draft and balance to intended waters without leaving the production line.
Performance Profile
On the numbers that matter to a cruising sailor, the 36C reads as a steady, seakindly boat rather than a rocket. Her Motion Comfort Ratio of 30.3 places her as more comfortable than 66 percent of similar designs — a meaningful endorsement for offshore or long-haul living. The capsize screening value of 1.86 is high enough that, by that formula alone, she could be accepted to participate in ocean races, speaking to a reassuring stability profile. Her theoretical hull speed is 7.3 knots. Under sail, the SA/D ratio is 13.4 with the ISO reference sail and rises to 16.4 with a 135 percent genoa; the latter setup means she is faster than 14 percent of peers in light wind, and the rig overall is slightly more substantial than 54 percent of similar boats, leaving her a touch overrigged by class standards.
Rig and Handling
The cutter rig defines the boat's versatility, letting her carry manageable canvas in a blow. Standing and running rigging dimensions are well documented: all three halyards — mainsail, jib/genoa, and spinnaker — run about 99 feet at a half-inch diameter, while sheets for jib, genoa, and mainsheet run 36 to 90 feet in 0.55-inch line. The kicking strap and clew outhaul each measure about 20.6 feet, with the Cunningham at just over 10 feet. These are practical lengths for a 36-footer and suggest straightforward gear replacement for an owner.
Accommodations
Below, the 36C's generous beam translates to liveable space that the ratios only hint at. Fresh water capacity is 49 US gallons, a credible figure for a couple or small family on a multi-day passage. The boat's heavy-cruiser displacement and comfort-oriented numbers suggest a interior planned for dwelling rather than racing, though the specific layout details are not part of the recorded design summary.
The Verdict
The Ericson 36C is a limited-production Bruce King cutter that trades outright light-air speed for comfort, stability, and volume. Her ratios show a boat more spacious and more comforting than the majority of her peers, with a capsize screen that satisfies ocean-racing thresholds. The different keel options and cutter rig add flexibility, but the modest build count means finding one takes patience.
Pros
- Roomier than 76 percent of similar designs by length-to-beam ratio
- Motion Comfort Ratio better than 66 percent of peers
- Capsize screening value of 1.86 meets ocean-race acceptance alone
- Cutter rig with documented, replaceable standing and running rigging lengths
Cons
- Slightly overrigged versus 54 percent of similar sailboats
- Fewer than 100 built, limiting market availability
- Light-wind speed better than only 14 percent of similar designs
