ERICSON 32-3
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 32.5 ft |
| LWL | 25.83 ft |
| Beam | 10.83 ft |
| Draft | 6 ft |
| Shoal keel | 4.33 ft |
| Wing Keel | 4.42 ft |
| Displacement | 9,800 lb |
| Ballast | 4,200.3 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.8 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 42 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 13.8 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 36 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 11.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 13.8 ft |
| Mainsail | 513.4 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 289.8 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 492.7 sq ft |
Engine
| Commonly | Universal, Kubota, Atomic 4 |
About the ERICSON 32-3
Renamed ERICSON 333. (1996?)
The Ericson 32-3 is a classic 1985 design by Bruce King, built by Ericson Yachts (USA) with a production run limited to that single year. This masthead sloop features a 32.5 ft LOA, 10.83 ft beam, and a displacement of 9800.0 lb, offering a comfortable cruising platform with a comfort ratio of 22.79.
- Best for:
- This boat is well-suited for coastal cruisers and families seeking a stable, comfortable interior with manageable handling, as evidenced by the high frequency of dodger and bimini installations for protected cockpit comfort.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 9800.0 lb and a low capsize ratio of 2.03, the Ericson 32-3 is capable of offshore passages, though its fin keel and moderate ballast ratio suggest it is best suited for protected coastal and nearshore bluewater cruising rather than extreme ocean racing.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the Cal 32 and O'Day 32, which share similar beam dimensions and displacement characteristics, appealing to buyers looking for spacious, moderate-performance cruising sloops from the mid-1980s.
Direct variant of the ERICSON 32-3
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
8 listings · boat years 1976–1990 · median $16,718
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 32.5ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
11 reported issues across 7 systems for the ERICSON 32-3, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a ERICSON 32-3? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 11 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your ERICSON 32-3?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Universal, Kubota, Atomic 4, Yanmar — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the ERICSON 32-3
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…