Ericson 27
Built 1971–1978 by Ericson Yachts
About the Ericson 27
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1971–1978
- Builder
- Ericson Yachts
- Designer
- Bruce King
- Length
- 26.75 ft
- Waterline
- 20.5 ft
- Beam
- 9 ft
- Draft
- 3.92 ft
- Displacement
- 6,600 lb
- Ballast
- 2,900 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Number built
- 1,250
- Stern thruster
- none
- Steering
- tiller
Early boats were sold stripped with an outboard in a transom cutout (outboard boats carry extra inside ballast); about 80% got an inboard, usually the Atomic 4, with a Yanmar diesel standard in the final year. A late-1974 upgrade brought teak interior, redesigned deck/cockpit and more standard gear; post-1974 boats are preferred. A few tall-rig boats exist. Balsa-cored deck over solid hull.
Known problems for this model
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Exhaust fitting recall exhaust
A faulty original exhaust fitting let water back up into some engines; Ericson replaced it under recall, so check the engine and exhaust on any 27.practical-sailor.com
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Heavy helm and awkward handling under power steering
The spade rudder plus an off-center prop shaft make the boat demanding to steer under power, and it builds weather helm when pressed; some owners have modified or enlarged the rudder.practical-sailor.com
-
Gate valves on through-hulls plumbing
Original gate valves are typically due for replacement with proper seacocks on boats of this age.practical-sailor.com
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Leaky ports and cored deck deck
Leaking portlights are a common complaint; the deck is balsa-cored, so leaks around ports and hardware should be checked for wet core.practical-sailor.com · sailboatdata.com
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Spar corrosion rigging
Aluminum spar corrosion is among the typical age-related problems owners report.practical-sailor.com
1 more
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Poor ventilation interior
Ventilation below is weak, especially on pre-1975 boats without the midships hatch; many owners have added vents or hatches.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)
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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
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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
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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 (2)
Other Ericson models
- Ericson 30+ 1979–?
- Ericson 32-3 1985–?
- Ericson 35-2 1969–1982
- Ericson 38 ?–1987
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.