Pearson 33

[awindj]

I sailed a Chrysler 22 for about 20 years. Sold the boat about 4 years ago. Since then, I have now retired and would like to sail again.

I have taken a coastal cruising class and am certified to charter up to 36'. My problem is that I have found a Pearson 33 in Bayfield WI that has me intereted in buying. I had thought that my wife and I would charter there and in the Caribbean for a while and then buy a boat later.

If I bought a boat I would put it into the charter fleet in Bayfield to at least pay some of the expenses. My biggest concern is that I liive 6.5 hours away in Iowa. Not sure if I would end up with lots of trips to do maintenance and get the boat in and out of the water. This looks like a good boat that would be capable of taking us and friends on trips in the Apostle Islands and eventually around the Great Lakes. I think it is pretty tough to charter anything and go around the lakes.

Does anyone have any thoughts on my predicament? Some feedback on the Pearson 33 and thoughts on putting it into the charter fleet would be helpful. The info that I could find on the internet about the Pearson 33 seems pretty positive so far.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Al

[sailingdog]

I'm not a big fan of putting boats into charter. The wear and tear on the boat, the loss of gear through theft and negligence, and having complete strangers using/walking through my boat on a regular basis would bother me. Also, in many cases, an older boat such as a Pearson 33, isn't going to be really charterable... most charter operations are looking for more modern, beamy, spacious boats.

The Pearson 33 is a pretty decent boat, and sounds like it is capable of what you're looking to do. However, if making the drive and spending the time maintaining the boat is a problem, maybe you should reconsider owning a boat. Boat maintenance, done properly, takes a fair bit of time if you do it yourself, or a lot of money, if you pay someone to do it.

It might make more sense to get a smaller boat, that you could trailer, and then you could use it both near your home and for doing what you're looking at doing on the Great Lakes. That's one reason I got the boat I did... it is trailerable, yet capable of doing longer trips as well.

[SailorMitch]

Which P-33 is it? P-33-1 is mid-70's boat, P-33-2 is mid-late 80's boat. I own a P-33-2. Both good boats, but very different in looks and design. (Pearson actually made 4 33-foot boats down through the years if I am not mistaken.)

I agree with Dawg (egads!) about not putting the boat in a charter fleet, but that's just me. Seeing all the dings would drive me nuts -- but that's personal preferance. In my experience charters never treat the boat as well as you would, and that will show over time. You would need to learn how much maintenance the charter company would do if you want to go that route. Inspect the other boats in their fleet to see how the boats look because yours will look like them in short order.

[eherlihy]

I agree with Mitch and Dog that the Pearson 33 in any of the 4 flavors (Vanguard, 33, 323, or 33-2) is a great boat. However, a six hour schlep - each way? ... and you would have someone else sailing your boat most of the time ??

Hey, I've got an idea. You could buy the boat and keep it in Boston. Boston is about 6 hours from Iowa by plane. And the airport is in the harbor! I would sail it for you, and promise to take great care of her. She would be ready for you anytime that you say, just give me two days notice...

Seriously, why don't you charter the boats from the Bayfield fleet? Use someone else's boat when you have the chance, untill you move closer to a port. Let someone else take care of the upkeep, and repair, and ownership issues. That's what I do, and I live only 40 min. from the water.

Ed

[SailorMitch]

Oops -- I forgot about the Vanguard. Add the P-10M to the list and Pearson made five 33 footers!

[awindj]

Thanks for the feedback.

The boat is a 1989 Pearson 33-2.

Al

[SailorMitch]

Great boat. Go for it. Mine is a 1988 hull #146 here on the Chesapeake. Sails well, good storage. Join the Pearson email list here on Sailnet and ask questions there about the boat. Lots of 33-2 owners there.

[Zogumwesterly]

I don't know that it is a major problem, but the hull to deck joints on that boat I believe is external. after hurricane charley, I repaired several boats in that line where the joint got mutilated. But otherwise they look like nice boats.

[SEMIJim]

awindj,

I agree with the dog and the others: 1. Do you really want a bunch of strangers using (and possibly [likely?]) abusing your boat? To me, and my wife, come to think of it, our boat has a soul. I would never do that to her. 2. 6.5 hours? You're retired, so I guess you have time to burn, but still... 6.5 hours? We're only one hour away from our boat and have a difficult time finding the time to get over to her during the week.

I dunno. To each his own, and what's unsuitable for me and others, you might find workable--even preferable. But were I in your position, I'd either move closer to the water (1st choice--and property's gettin' real cheap in MI) or get a small boat you can sail on local inland lakes and charter for the more ambitious voyages.

Oh, and obviously I like Pearson boats .

Jim

[awindj]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am planning to go to Bayfield and Charter a sister ship to the Pearson 33-2 that is for sale.

Unless I absolutely fall in love withe the boat, I don't think that I will be buying it. The maintenance issues and the 6.5 hour drive seem to loom pretty large.

I found another Pearson 33-2 owner that has his boat in the Charter Service and has been willing to let me question him about his experience. It sounds like he and his other two partners love the boat but they take a number of trips for maintenance during the year in addition to beginning and end of season trips.

Need to find a real gem before I take the plunge.

Thanks again for the thoughts.

Al