Pearson 35 C/B Yawl

[veprjack]

Hi,

Although I'm looking at two C30s this weekend and they are both below $20K, this Pearson caught my eye - http://tinyurl.com/3hj69on It seems like quite a boat for the money and it has a LOT of desireable features that the C30s do not (I'm going to live aboard). The C30s don't have pressurized water, hot water, any nav/radar/auto pilot, etc. equipment - so the extra $8K is justified by the electronic package alone? - and it is 5 feet longer (although the C30 interior is BIG for its size). One C30 has a dingy/outboard so that would offset the Pearson's accessories somewhat. Yeah, this is just the typical "What do I want/need vs. reality" and "How do I compare two such different boats, etc."

Being a relative newbie, perhaps a 35' YAWL isn't ideal, but I'm willing to grow into it, if it's meant to be. Because I'll be living aboard, the hot water, real shower, pressure H2O, etc. are nice. The stove/oven is gas vs. alcohol too so...

What I'd like is just some comments on a) Yawl setup b) The helm seems to be right on top of the gangway - almost under the dodger (is this normal?) c) Not to start a thread war, but maybe comment on sailing features of this boat vs. C30 - both C30s I'm looking at are standard, NOT tall rigging. What about weather helm - basic sailing features, sea worthiness? I know the C30 is not a blue water boat, and the Pearson MIGHT be closer to being one. d) I'm confused by the listing's range on the draft Max Draft: 3' 9"/7' 6" - must be able to change it for shoal vs. deeper? Pull up centerboard? e) Farryman diesel - any personal experience?

I searched the forums and found some things on Pearson Yawl, but couldn't find answers to the above questions. Sorry to be a pain - I've been posting a lot of questions because of the vast experience here - and the GREAT help I've been getting from members. Hopefully, I won't wear out my welcome!

Thanks for the help and patience,
Jack From Boston

[CalebD]

Originally Posted by veprjack

Hi,


What I'd like is just some comments on a) Yawl setup b) The helm seems to be right on top of the gangway - almost under the dodger (is this normal?) c) Not to start a thread war, but maybe comment on sailing features of this boat vs. C30 - both C30s I'm looking at are standard, NOT tall rigging. What about weather helm - basic sailing features, sea worthiness? I know the C30 is not a blue water boat, and the Pearson MIGHT be closer to being one. d) I'm confused by the listing's range on the draft Max Draft: 3' 9"/7' 6" - must be able to change it for shoal vs. deeper? Pull up centerboard? e) Farryman diesel - any personal experience?

I searched the forums and found some things on Pearson Yawl, but couldn't find answers to the above questions. Sorry to be a pain - I've been posting a lot of questions because of the vast experience here - and the GREAT help I've been getting from members. Hopefully, I won't wear out my welcome!

Thanks for the help and patience,
Jack From Boston

Ketch Yawl. Both are similarly rigged. The Yawl has the mizzen mast behind the rudder post while the Ketch has the mizzen mast forward of the rudder post. With both of these rigs the main mast is usually a bit smaller (lower) the a similar sized sloop rigged boat. This means smaller sails, easier sail handling and less speed or power. What this kind of rig has as an advantage is the range of sail options you can fly versus a sloop. You can rig all 3 sails in light winds or use only the "jib and jigger", or jib and mizzen only. The mizzen can also be left up when at anchor to keep the boat pointed into the wind. A boat like this was intended for longer ocean cruises (mostly down wind) and is not likely to win many races.
The difference in Max Draft numbers is the range of draft provided by the center board and keel.
Farymann diesels are pretty old, difficult to find parts for and may even be a little under powered for that boat. What was the HP listed as? The ad for the P35 Yawl did not come up for me.

[veprjack]

Thanks Caleb. For some reason, that link doesn't bring up the boat any more. I don't remember the horsepower, but maybe it's just as well. I probably won't be doing the yawl thing for my first boat - but thanks to you, I understand it better. My friend has a GulfStar 50' ketch and LOVES his mizzen.

[SlowButSteady]

In general, a ketch will have a larger mizzen than a yawl, and consequently a smaller main than a yawl. This results in the ketch using its mizzen to actually help power the boat forward, while a yawl's mizzen is used more to help balance the effort of the sails rather than provide much propulsive force. Therefore, a yawl can often be sailed very similarly to a sloop in that almost all the propulsion is coming from the main and the headsails, with the mizzen mainly being used to tweek the trim of the boat and help balance the effort of the sails against the effort of the keel and rudder to minimize weather helm. A ketch can be a bit trickier to sail. Since the main and mizzen carry more similarly-sized sails getting the both main and mizzen to draw properly is more important for moving the boat.

[CalebD]

SBS, that makes sense. I have only sailed on a Ketch so it is interesting to hear your comments on balancing the sails with the Yawl's mizzen.

[SlowButSteady]

Actually, with the boat in question, things can get a bit more complicated. Raising or lowering the centerboard a bit will also change the center of effort of the underwater foils, and thus allow one to balance (or unbalance) things.