1970 Columbia 26 Mk II vs 1972 Ericson 32 — Comparison
1972 Ericson 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II | 1972 Ericson 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Columbia | Ericson |
| Year | 1970–1975 | 1972–1978 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 26.2 m² (282 ft²) | 39.0 m² (420 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 1972 Ericson 32 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II is a 1970s design by Columbia from USA, while the 1972 Ericson 32 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II was penned by William Crealock. The 1972 Ericson 32 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II measures 7.92m (26.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.44m, compared to the 1972 Ericson 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1972 Ericson 32 is 1.83m longer than the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II. The 1972 Ericson 32 displaces approximately 126% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.33 and 26.2 m² of sail area. The 1972 Ericson 32, with an SA/D of 14.97 and 39.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1972 Ericson 32 has a comfort ratio of 22.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II and 42.1% for the 1972 Ericson 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 38L of water capacity and 23L of fuel. The 1972 Ericson 32 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1972 Ericson 32 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1972 Ericson 32 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1970 Columbia 26 Mk II · 1972 Ericson 32