What the fleet has seen
The Ericson Yachts 381, as the fleet has seen it
Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.
The Ericson Yachts 381 is a 1982–1986 masthead sloop designed by Bruce King, an updated version of the Ericson 38, with an LOA of 11.4 meters, a beam of 3.7 meters, a draft of 2.0 meters, and a displacement of 6531 kg. Aboard *Christian Williams*, a 1984 Ericson 381 named *Thelonious* undergoes a four-year maintenance cycle in Southern California, including bottom paint renewal, barrier coat inspection, and replacement of the propeller shaft and cutlass bearing.1:09 The boat features four cockpit drains, two propane locker drains, and a bow thruster.3:41 The dripless shaft seal requires disconnection from the transmission coupling for servicing.2:18 Williams adjusts the lazy jacks on the mast to improve sail handling and demonstrates tacking the vessel through 140 degrees using 14 wheel pilot increments in light winds and southerly swells.6:57 A diver performs monthly hand-scrubbing to maintain the hull between four-year haul-outs.2:02 Williams, at 82, continues to sail his Ericson 381 despite a back injury, contrasting its demands with a Laser dinghy's low boom.0:07
