BoatsEricson Yachts 381

Ericson Yachts 381

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1982–1986

An evolution of the Ericson 38, this 11.4-metre masthead sloop features a 1.98-metre draft and a fin-keel hull

Designed by Bruce King.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The Ericson Yachts 381, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Christian Williams

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 25 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 25
CoastalBluewater

1.98 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.98
LightHeavy

227 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 227
EasygoingPowered-up

18.4 — plenty of sail for her weight; lively and quick to respond.

Sail area / displacement 18.4
TenderStiff

44% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 44%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

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 earlier Ericson 38. It features a fin keel with a spade rudder, measures 11.4 meters LOA with a 3.7-meter beam, and displaces 6531 kg. Aboard *Christian Williams*, the 1984 Ericson 381 *Thelonious* underwent a four-year maintenance cycle in Southern California, including bottom paint renewal, barrier coat inspection, and replacement of the propeller shaft and cutlass bearing.2:50 This boat features four cockpit drains, two propane locker drains, and a bow thruster. *Thelonious II*, a 1984 Ericson 381, is equipped for offshore voyaging with a keel-stepped mast, a Universal 5432 32-horsepower diesel engine, a Cape Horn pendulum self-steering vane, a Harken furler, and a 130% Genoa.3:41 Its electrical panel and wiring have been revised, and it includes an Isotherm refrigeration system and a freshwater head.8:25

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen 3 times across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Ericson Yachts 381 on video

What broke, what changed

Gear aboard, as the crews told it

Moments from individual boats of this model that the fleet has filmed — one crew, one piece of kit, one day on the water. Not a review of the class, and not a count of anything.

Each line is one crew's account of their own boat. Another Ericson Yachts 381 may be fitted out entirely differently.

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model for sale, and the asking prices that came with it.

1seen for sale
US$50,000Median asking

  • The creator is selling his 1984 Ericson 381, Thelonious II, for $50,000 due to lack of time for sailing

    from Christian Williamsseen October 2026watch

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
43.8%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
18.4
Displacement / length
226.6
Comfort ratio
24.9
Capsize screening
1.98
Hull speed
7.4 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
1308
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Production
Years built
1982–1986
Units built
39
Designer
Bruce King
Builder
Ericson Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Ericson Yachts 3811.48 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Bruce King-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performance
Why We Sail--"Cape Horn Steering Vane Install and Sea Trial"from Christian Williams
Tartan Marine 37211.34 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1988-1993 masthead sloop featuring a deep 2.08-metre fin keel and a spade rudder for performance-oriented cruising
Tartan Yachts and the Catalina Fallout: How One Brand Survivedfrom Practical Sailor
Hunter Marine 38011.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthOffered with a deep 1.98m keel option, this high-volume cruiser features a spade rudder and a B&R rig
Everyone Hates This Sailboat… So Why Do People Love It?2:20from Lady K Sailing
Hunter Marine 37611.35 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA spacious cruiser featuring a B&R rig and wing keel, sharing a proven hull design with the later 380 and 386 models
Hunter 376 - The Aegean Tragedy: What Really Happened in the Newport–Ensenada Race0:47from Practical Sailor
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 3711.41 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA versatile charter-proven hull from 1998 that served as the foundation for multiple Jeanneau model variations
She's a TEN at the most bikini photographed beach in the world!13:14from Sailing Doodles
Gin Fizz 3711.40 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA versatile Michel Joubert design offered in ketch or sloop rigs and multiple cockpit configurations.
Laura Dekker’s Life AFTER Sailing Solo Around the World | Step 4204:23from Sailing Uma

The family

Boats like this

Nearby designs by size, type, and era — worth a look alongside her.

Ericson Yachts 41A 12.6-metre masthead sloop from the late 1960s featuring a heavy displacement hull and a deep 1.8-metre fin keelEricson Yachts 38A Bruce King-designed masthead sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio for spirited performanceEricson 380A Bruce King-designed masthead sloop featuring a redesigned interior and hulls built by Pacific SeacraftEricson Yachts 34-2A Bruce King-designed masthead sloop balancing performance and cruising comfort with a stiff, fin-keel hullEricson Yachts 38-200A Bruce King-designed masthead sloop featuring a revised deck and interior layout built on the proven Ericson 38 hullEricson Yachts 32-200A 1988 masthead sloop with a 1.84-metre draft and a balanced displacement-to-ballast ratio for coastal cruising

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

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