Pearson 323 or Hunter 34 or Catalina 30?

[SailorMitch]

Originally Posted by rkfitz

SailorMitch is wise, SailorMitch is true.....
I have a 323, and have been out in 10 ft seas and 35kt winds with it, and was very comfortable. Will get up to hull speed (7 kts) in 18kts of wind on a close reach in 1' seas, likes to be heeled at 18 degrees. Needs a reef around 25kts of wind. Since the keel is inside the hull (keel was part of the hull mold) there are no keelbolts to worry about. The only folks I know of who still make hulls like this is Island Packet. Too expensive for Hunter or Catalina. Could go on about slow beamy boats, but then I'd turn this into a 500 post thread from indignant beamers.

Rob

Rob -- You're a helluva guy! Thanks for the vote of confidence. I know several people with 323's (one on my dock at my marina that I walk past all the time) and they all love the boat. Plus, it just looks like it should be on the high seas. Glad you like yours, too!

Fair winds, Rob!
Mitch

[Lottie]

Thanks Rob for that vote of confidence. WE have narrowed down our choice to two Pearson 323s....both about the same age, 27 years old. Now to make a decision between the two and make an offer. Structurally, they seem to be in similar condition for boats of this age. The more expensive one has a newer engine and sails. Any last minute things to examine before we make an offer? Cheers!

[AlanBrown]

Lottie,

Regardless of what boat you decide on, spend a couple bucks ($350 approx) and have it professionally surveyed before you commit to buying. With older boats especially, you may purchasing a gem or a nightmare. Perhaps the current owner will even agree to split the cost of the survey with you. You'll need to have a current survey anyway if you plan to insure it.

I own a 1981 Hunter 30 and had to get my boat surveyed before I could insure it. The surveyor found some serious problems I needed to correct before I sailed back to the Bahamas. I never would have known what to look for, but he did. By the way, the age of my boat has not prevented me from getting insurance.

Good luck with your purchase!

[MoonSailer]

We have owned our P323 for 4.5 years and still love the boat. Like all boats it dependsupon how you plan to use the boat. We have been out in 15' waves and the boat did well and we were never pooped. The boat rides very well. But I do like the catalina 30 but I don't think it is as comfortable at sea. We have friends with C30s complaining about rough conditions that we considered "no problem" . Check the mast step for corrosion!!! That is the only issue we have had. We plan to replace the mast step at some point. But as nearly as I can tell the step hasn't changed since we have owned the boat. Part of our problem might have been the bilge pump. I discovered that a wire to the bilge pump had failed and was shorting out a little and it might have been causing the corrosion. It really was bad that it was leaking current and corroded but the pump still worked. When the pump finally failed I discovered the corroded fuse holder. Check out www.peason323.net I think Ping sailed from California through the canal and up to Florida and back.

[rkfitz]

Hope I'm not too late! Absolutely get a good surveyor. If you or a friend don't know one, I'll bet if you start a thread asking for references you'll get a number to choose from in your area. Have your surveyor pay particular attention to moisture in the deck. If the fittings, lifeline stanchions, and especially the hatch cover weren't rebedded on occasion there is a good chance that there has been water intrusion and damage to the core. Just for fun, google the owner's name. I once found that a seller had written an article for a sailing magazine about how he damaged his boat by purposely taking it out into a storm! I can't imagine that you will have any problem getting insurance. I insure mine through Boat US, 6 mos. for under $500. I'm in Ct., obviously it'll be more in Fl, but available.

Rob