Conference unifix::sailing

    Exactly which Pearson are you looking at?  A Pearson 30 is an entirely
    different boat from a Pearson 303, although they're the same size.
    As you will see elsewhere in this notesfile, there are terrific sources
    of information on these boats in Practical Sailor.  Nail down the exact
    model you're looking at and I bet we can russel up some info.
    
    As for advice, they're all good boats for coastal cruising.  O'Day went
    belly up, so replacement parts may be a problem sometime in the future,
    but even that shouldn't deter you since most of the things that are
    likely to break come from third parties anyway.  Pearson tends to be
    the most expensive boat of the three and Catalina the most popular
    (over 5,000 of them out there, including mine, and they're still in
    production).  I wouldn't take  any of them to Bermuda, but then, that's
    not where I sail.
    
    

If you haven't already done so, see Note 3.4 for a list of the notes in 
SAILING that discuss boat buying.

Without knowing more about your sailing experience, what kind of sailing
you are planning, etc, it is difficult to say if this boat or that boat
is a good choice. There are many, many new and used boats around 30'
available of varying quality, condition, equipment, design, etc. My
suggestion would be to look at many more of them (eg, Bristol, Tartan, 
Hunter, C&C, and Cape Dory to list just a few) before you decide. 

    This is a Pearsons 303 that we're looking at.  What is the difference
    b/t the 30' and the 303?
    
    We're planning to stay on Winni.  That is where we sail now.  Currently
    we have a 23' Paceship.  No luxuries.... all manual effort for
    sailing.  We're probably the average sailor.  This is our third
    season sailing.  We don't race, only leisure cruises.
    
    Any info. would be appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    Sue

    I chartered a 303 for a long weekend a few years (maybe more than a
    few) back.  For the three of us in the group it was a spacious, easy to
    handle boat.   No glaring faults.  With the right sail up, it was well
    bahaved in the 5 - 25 knots of wind we encountered.  Nice cockpit with
    the teak covered curved coamings.  Lots of stowage in the lazarettes. 
    Inherently it's a good cruiser.   With a good range of sails it's not 
    a bad performer.  It wants a 150 in the light stuff.
    
    I've seen lots of these around with roller furling jibs and mains. 
    While convenient, they do exact a price in the boat's livliness while
    sailing.  
    
    - gene

    I sailed a Pearson 303 last summer as part of a sailing club I belong
    to.  I found the boat to be more oriented towards comfort for
    family/coastal cruising.  Below decks is spacious, with a private
    forward cabin, larger head, and larger main cabin.  The cockpit is
    about average. 
    
    As for performance, the most I got was about 6 -6.5 notes in Force 6
    winds. This boat is not really built for speed.  IN the heavier winds
    that I like, it proved to be very stable and safe.
    
    In light winds it would hold to the 3 knot maximum range.
    
    All in all before I would buy a Pearson 303 I would be absolutely sure
    of my expectations, i.e. am I getting room and giving up performance?
    It is a good all around boat for crusing, with a simple rigging and
    ease of hanlding.  I single handed the boat on a few occasions.
    
    I have a neighbor who has a wing keel Pearson, and is very disappointed
    with its performance if heeled over more than 10 degrees.  He would say
    to avoid this keel and go for the fin.  
    
    I hope all this information helps.
    
    

    If anyone needs parts for any of the Pearson Yacht Line contact:
    
    D&R Enterprises
    PO Box 921   or
    68 So Main Street
    Assonet Ma
    		02702
    tel (508) 644-3001
    
    
       According to the flyer that came with some parts I ordered, they
    carry the parts for all the lines. I also believe they said they have
    the O'Day line also.
    
       I ordered parts Tuesday afternoon and had a couple of questions the
    clerk couldn't answer. The parts were sitting at my house thursday
    afternoon and the instruction sheets had the answers to my questions
    penned in.
    
    For Technical Services Contact
    
    Bill Richards Yacht Design
    PO box 262
    Bristol R.I.
    		02809
    tel (401)254-0775

    re .6
    
        As an update, D&R now has the molds for all the Pearson boats.
    Same numbers are still good.