Ericson 35-2
Built 1969–1982 by Ericson Yachts
About the Ericson 35-2
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1969–1982
- Builder
- Ericson Yachts
- Designer
- Bruce King
- Length
- 34.67 ft
- Waterline
- 25.83 ft
- Beam
- 10 ft
- Draft
- 4.92 ft
- Displacement
- 11,600 lb
- Ballast
- 5,000 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Water
- 25 gal
- Stern thruster
- none
Sources disagree on number built, fuel tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Atomic 4 was the only engine until 1973; various diesels (Westerbeke 4-91 most common, also Volvo, Yanmar, Universal, Westerbeke Pilot 20) offered until diesels became standard around 1978. Engine under the dinette on early boats (good access), under the companionway on two-settee layouts (poor access). Lead ballast inside a molded keel. Short-rig option. Spec conflicts are listed in disputed. Small water tank; owners add tanks. Practical Sailor and Cruising World both say about 600 were built; sailboatdata says 500.
Known problems for this model
-
Split-mold centerline seam hull
The solid hull was built in two halves joined along the centerline; check the outside centerline for cracks.practical-sailor.com
-
Chainplate leaks damaging main bulkhead rigging
Chainplates leak where they pass the deck, staining or delaminating the bulkhead, often hidden behind trim; proper rebedding means removing them.practical-sailor.com
-
Terneplate steel fuel tanks fuel
Older boats have terneplate steel tanks that rust through and pose a fire risk; replace if still original.practical-sailor.com
-
Steel water-jacketed exhaust exhaust
The original fabricated steel water-jacket exhaust develops pinholes that can let water into the engine; a modern waterlift is the recommended replacement.practical-sailor.com
-
Gate valves on early boats plumbing
Early boats used gate valves on through-hulls, which should be replaced with real seacocks.practical-sailor.com
3 more
-
Rotted plywood in winch islands deck
Poorly bedded winches can let water rot the plywood reinforcement in the molded winch islands.practical-sailor.com
-
Mismatched prop and small shaft with diesels running gear
Several boats are incorrectly propped; the stock 12x6 prop and 3/4 in shaft suit the Atomic 4 but are marginal for larger diesels.practical-sailor.com
-
Blistering hull
About 30% of surveyed owners reported at least some blisters, a couple badly.practical-sailor.com
Engines & parts
Universal Atomic 4 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Universal Atomic 4”
Tens of thousands were built (sources say from 40,000 to 50,000). Despite being out of production for decades, the engine is well supported: Moyer Marine sells parts, rebuilt engines, fuel pump rebuilds and exhaust parts, and hosts an owners' forum; Old Lyme Marina and others also supply parts, and electronic ignition upgrades are available.
Parts sources: Moyer Marine
Common problems (3)
-
Raw-water cooling scale and corrosion cooling
Most Atomic 4s are raw-water cooled, so the block scales up and corrodes, especially in salt water; cranking without starting can also flood the engine with seawater through the exhaust.goodoldboat.com · moyermarineforum.com · keelindex.com
-
Gasoline vapor fire/explosion risk fuel
Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and settles in the bilge, so ventilation, blower use and shutting the fuel valve (a stuck carburetor float can overflow) matter.goodoldboat.com
-
Ignition and fuel system faults electrical
Points, condenser, cap and wires, plus gummed carburetors and contaminated fuel, are the most common reasons an Atomic 4 won't run well.keelindex.com · goodoldboat.com
Sources disagree on first year, last year, number built — left blank rather than guessed.
Model sources (3)
Other Ericson models
- Ericson 27 1971–1978
- Ericson 30+ 1979–?
- Ericson 32-3 1985–?
- Ericson 38 ?–1987
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.