as I own a Pearson 10M. However, until I found the 10M, I really wanted a Pearson 34/Fin Keel.
Pearson (Bill Shaw) built a solid late 70's/mid 80's boat. Some say B. Shaw's designs are a little overbuilt for coastal cruising/day sailing. That being said, a Hunter/Churbini 30 is a decent boat.
Some bonuses with the Pearson 34 for your needs:
- Bigger boat, more volume room
- HUGE Cockpit - 9' feet long (Ideal for guest and group daysails)
- Probably a little better initial build
- Soild glass hull
- Proven in mild off-shore conditions
- WAY Faster than the Hunter 30 - Means more distance covered in equivalent time
- Centerboard, allows boat to go into more gunkhole spots
The negatives of the Pearson 34 for your needs:
- May be seem too big for a quick day sail for two people
- Bigger Boat means more $ for upkeep, storage, taxes, fees. Remember everything is related to boat length.
- Centerboard, one more thing to break
I wouldn't let the "old" electronics dissuade you, all other things being the same. These are relatively cheap (aside from
radar) and can be upgraded easily. I have
radar,
GPS,
autopilot,
chartplotter, depth, windspeed/direction. In the two years that I have owned our boat, I have yet to use the
radar and used the
autopilot twice. I rarely use our
chartplotter for the "Chart" portion. The depth meter is used a lot as is the apparent wind module.
As others have said, whatever boat is best for your needs and "sings" to you, is the one for you. As other's have also said, look at the condition of each boat and get a good survey on which every you choose.
DrB