Pearson Owners

We own a Pearson 323, Now or Never! which we cruise and live on for about 4 months each year (this year is an exception). We have spent quite a bit of time on other boats--over 3 months this year on a Hunter 37--and none of them is as comfortable as our P323. I am always interested in trading ideas with other Pearson owners.

I have a Pearson 35 yawl which I liveaboard during the summer months here in New England. This year the plan is to sail south and possibly spend the winter months in the Bahamas.

I have a little Pearson Ariel 26, 1966. We are land locked now, lake sailing in Alabama. Even though I truly miss sailing in the Gulf Coast, I'm learning that lake sailing is better than no sailing! Of course when you can sail all year that is good too!

How do you guys like your Pearson's?

I spend my summers on my Pearson 323, which I hopefully will launch in two weeks - if I can finish these winter projects.

Do any of you 323 owners have a problem with leaks around the mast partners? If so, what have you done about it? Related, how about corrosion at the bottom of the mast on the step?

Peter
Now or Never!

When I purchased my 323 the partners were soft, so I cleaned out the rotten area and replaced it with oak and re-bedded the collar. I have tried a couple of types of boots and found that the wrap-type seems to be the driest. The base of the mast was also in poor shape, so I cut off 3 inches and built a higher step to compensate. BTW if anyone is looking for the swing-out sink, I have removed mine when rebuilding the head and offer it for free - just pay shipping.

Mike

Mike, what did you build up the step with?

Peter

Peter, I took patterns from the old step and mast butt and made a new one from stainless. While Al might be neutral with the mast, I chose ss for strength, and I keep then separated with a coat of grease. So far (3 y later) all is doing well. Last winter I also took the mast down to bare metal and coated it with a two-part polyurethane.
Mike

My family has a Pearson 422 Center Cockpit Cutter on the Chesapeake Bay currently available for sale. Great boat! If anybody may be interested let me know.

Hi Jeremy,
We live on a 422 and have an internet friend that has been actively looking for a 422. If you can post a link to the particulars and your email address I'll forward it to him.
Bill
s/v Veranda
Veranda422.blogspot.com

Hi Bill,
That's great! There are photos of the boat online at www.picasaweb.google.com/caplumer. Unfortunately the specs, etc are not posted online but if he emails me at jeremy@jeremypsmith.com I will be happy to send everything.

We have a Pearson 365 ketch, named Talisman, that we bought a year ago. We've been working on it as the previous owner just lived aboard at the marina. He added some good things and some not. Right now Mike is sawing out the 30-yr. old fuel tank and is trying to replace it with 2 smaller tanks. We haven't done much coastal cruising but hope to make it to southern FL sometime soon and then on to the Bahamas. What cruising we've done we've truly enjoyed and look forward to a more intense set of offshore experiences. Have really liked the accounts re s/v Veranada! Will be looking at your other sites. Glad to become part of the group. Mike and Gina

I am a new owner as of this past month of a 1976 30 ft Pearson. I live in eastern NC and would also like to make it after Christmas to Florida and the Bahamas. Right now it is in the Washington NC boatyard getting bottom painted and electronics installed. (also new name painted on of course.) I would love to meet others planning to do the same in the new year.

We're planning to take Now or Never! (P323) to the Bahamas at about the same time. We'll probably head down the coast from Brunswick, GA to Fernandina Beach, FL, then St Augustine FL, then Ft Pierce, then Ft Lauderdale and finally Miami. We'll cross from there to Bimini as the weather permits. Last time we did it, we crossed in early Jan.

Peter

am planning on same trip in December, I plan on using Ponce inlet instead of St. Augustine. Left from Miami Christmas day had a good window.

I haven't been in at Ponce. I understand that the inlet itself is pretty straightforward, just respect the buoys. Once inside, there is apparently a lot of shifting shoals. If you've been there. I would appreciate any info you can share. I was once on the ICW a bit north of Ponce inlet--very skinny in places. The boat in front of us went aground.

I'm just logging in.

I have a Pearson 32 and sail the Great Lakes. I love my boat, with one exception. I too big for the area fwd of the mast. Difficulty shuting the head door, and it's difficult to get in/out of the V berth at 6' 1", 230 lbs.

It's great for coastal cruising, but for me, not a live aboard, full time boat. And I'm without a first mate, I can't forsee 2 people living comfortably aboard for an extended period.

Handling wise, she's sweet.

Hello, I have a 1974 Pearson 10 meter I sail out of Salem, Mass. I previously had a Pearson 30, but with a growing family (wife and 3 kids) I needed something a little biigger. I am thrilled with the boat. We do mostly weekend trips during the summer months, and looking forward to next summer where we plan to go to the cape, and maybe a trip to Maine late in the season. We would love to find other people with children who enjoy sailing the north shore since the kids are always happie rwith other children are around to play with. My kids are 2 boys, and a girl, ages 14, 11, and 10. Drop me a line sometime!