First Boat- Pearson 27 or Tartan 28???

Spang · #1 08-07-2004

After months of reading SailNet and deliberations on my first sailboat, In my mind I have come down to 2. I live in Florida and this boat would be for daysailing in the bay and some coastal cruising with a family of 4.

I have read many favorable posts on the Pearson along with many favorable posts on the quality of Tartan sailboats. I realize the Tartan lists for 5-6K more, is the quality, layout, extra foot worth it?
What are the pluses and minuses of each?

Please advise...I am open to all feedback as I move closer to my final decision.

Thanks

SailorMitch · #2 08-07-2004

Spang,

I owned a P-27 for 15 years, and only sold it this spring because I bought a P-33 last fall. The P-27 is a fine boat that can take more than you can. I did look at a Tartan 28 before I bought the P-27, but frankly can''t remember that much about it. Anyway, please email me directly and I''ll be glad to answer any questions about the P-27. There''s also a P-27 email list I can hook you up with if you''d like input from about 50 or so P-27 owners.

Spang · #3 08-09-2004

SailorMitch,

Thank you very much for the reply. I have signed up for the P-27 email list and have noted the positive posts regarding this boat.I will probably be emailing you directly as I run into questions.

Is there anyone who can provide feedback on the Tartan 28?

Thank you!

lgsailor19 · #4 08-09-2004

I have owned a P-27 and although, in my opinion, the boat is constructed well, it isn''t my choice .

The P-27 is a bit "tender" (heels quickly) due to its relatively light weight, shoal keel and high freeboard. In addition, due to its external rudder, it is not meant to be sailed with more than 10 degrees os so of heel. ( See the owner''s manual! ) If you do , you will probably experience a rudder "stall", and/or a "round up" as well.

I liked the layout and the quality of construction of the boat,though. I don''t know much about the Tartan model you are considering, but give it a closer look. Good Luck!!

BarryL · #5 08-09-2004

Hello,

Does the Pearson have a wheel or a tiller? The wheels on Pearsons (at least the early 80''s boats I looked at) are located in a strange place, all the way forward in the cockpit. It seems like a strange location to me.

Barry

SailorMitch · #6 08-09-2004

Barry,

The P-27 came with a tiller in early hulls (the first 60 or so), then a wheel became standard. The wheel is at the back of the cockpit. At 27 feet LOA, there isn''t a whole lot of space to move the wheel forward as was done in such boats as the P-35 and (1970''s vintage) P-39, or even the 10M (see Sam Boyle''s articles about converting his 10M from wheel back to a tiller.)

BTW....you''d appreciate the wheel being forward if you were singlehanding, or if you were hit by a storm and wanted some protection from the dodger. As always with a boat -- trade offs.

SailorMitch · #7 08-10-2004

lgsailor19,

Just found your post on the P-27, and I have to offer a different opinion about the ideal angle of heel for the boat. I doubt that any monohull could sail at 10 degrees of heel in a decent sailing breeze. I gave the owners manual to the fellow who bought my P-27 so I can''t look at what it may have said, but I talked directly to Bill Shaw and Bill Richards (who actually designed the P27) about the proper angle of heel when I first had the boat (my wife didn''t like heeling at all, and she thought I was a bad sailor.) According to them, the P-27 was designed to sail at about 15-20 degrees, which is typical of most Pearsons from the mid-80''s on.

At about 15 knots of true wind I started thinking about reefing -- and I had a 155 genoa in place of the factory 130. At 20 knots I definitely reefed. Yes, the boat would round up at higher wind speeds, a sure sign that she was overpowered. To counteract that, lower the main or let out the jib a bit, and you''d regain control right away.

As for quality of constuction, the Tartan is better built, but the Pearson is close behind. I''m still not aware of any structural problems with the P-27, and most of those boats are at least 15 years old now.

BarryL · #8 08-11-2004

Hi,

Thanks for pointing out the difference between the P-27 and other P boats with the wheel forward. I remember reading about Sam B''s boat, and that caused me to write.

Barry