The Ericson 35 1 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 24.1′, the Ericson 35 1 tops out around 6.6 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.1′ LWL = 6.6 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
16.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
44.2%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
384
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
33.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.69
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
5lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
33.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.69
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Ericson 35 1 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Coronado 34
174s/nm
Bristol 35
189s/nm
Baba 35
192s/nm
Alberg 35
201s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.6 |
3.3 |
3.7 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.9 |
5.4 |
5.7 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.6 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.6 |
4.0 |
4.2 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.6 kts),
SA/D (16.7), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Ericson 35 1 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Ericson 35 1.
|
Ericson 35 1 |
Alberg 35 |
Baba 35 |
Bristol 35 |
Coronado 34 |
Ericson 35 2 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.8 |
34.7 |
34.7 |
34.7 |
| LWL |
24.1 |
24.0 |
29.6 |
23.8 |
28.2 |
25.8 |
| Beam |
9.7 |
9.7 |
11.2 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
10.0 |
| Displacement |
12 |
12 |
21 |
12 |
10 |
11 |
| Ballast |
5 |
5 |
8 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
| Sail Area |
544 |
545 |
758 |
529 |
521 |
533 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
201 |
192 |
189 |
174 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.7 |
16.2 |
15.9 |
15.8 |
17.4 |
16.7 |
| Bal/Disp |
44.2 |
42.1 |
37.8 |
41.6 |
41.0 |
43.1 |
| Comfort |
33.1 |
34.8 |
42.2 |
33.3 |
25.1 |
29.3 |
| Capsize |
1.69 |
1.67 |
1.62 |
1.73 |
1.83 |
1.77 |
| Hull Speed |
6.6 |
6.6 |
7.3 |
6.5 |
7.1 |
6.8 |