ERICSON 32 (SCORPION)

About the ERICSON 32 (SCORPION)

The SCORPION hulls were built from a mold created from a wood 5.5 meter boat in which George O'Day won the 1960 Olympics. In 1967 Ericson produced 24 of these modeled after the COLUMBIA SABRE and called them the SCORPION 32. It was Ericson's original 32' yacht, sometimes called the ERICSON 32-I. It is nearly identical to the COLUMBIA SABRE presumably built using this same mold. Most had outboard wells though some were fitted with small inboards.

The Ericson 32 (Scorpion) is a rare, short-production classic designed by an unknown designer and built by Ericson Yachts (USA) between 1966 and 1967, with only 24 hulls constructed. Its lightweight displacement of 4600.0 lb and fractional sloop rig reflect its origins as a performance-oriented cruiser from the mid-1960s.

Best for:

This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend racers who prioritize speed and agility over heavy offshore comfort, given its low displacement and moderate comfort ratio of 24.22.

Bluewater capability:

With a capsize ratio of 1.51 and a relatively light displacement of 4600.0 lb, the Ericson 32 is better suited for protected coastal waters than heavy bluewater passages, where its fin keel and low ballast ratio may feel tender in extreme conditions.

Comparables:

Comparable boats include the Pearson 303 and O'Day 30, which share similar fractional sloop rigs and lightweight construction philosophies from the same era, though the Ericson 32 is significantly rarer with only 24 units built.