[StephenMaturin]

Hi all,

I'm looking at a PSC 32 Pilothouse. There isn't much info out there about them. I've read that its the same hull as the PSC 31 (the newer one, not the Mariah).

That said, can I ask what you like/dislike about your PSC 31? As the interior is entirely different, I'm more interested in sailing characteristics, common quirks, and any other helpful information. In particular, how close does she point efficiently? How much wind is needed to get her above 4 kts on a beam reach? What is her "sweet spot" in terms of wind speed under full sail?

My last boat was a 1990 C&C 36 with a deep fin keel. I loved the way that boat sailed. While I don't plan on taking the PSC to any races, I do want a boat that sails well.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Drifting]

Having a great time with my PSC32 pilothouse in northern climes with nice scenery - to date as far west as Isle Royale in Superior and east to Ingonish, Cape Breton. As for performance with a rather old suit of sails on the short but stout mast (36’ LeFiell): I like 12 to 25 knots of wind (perhaps a mainsail reef and turn on the 130% genoa at the upper end..) and I will get up to 6.5 knots on a reach. Definitely not for light airs, but then running under power, steering from the inside station in the rain is luxurious. Ditto for heavy weather.

BUT the 4”3” Scheel keel does give a bit of leeway - it is not C&C performance. I am interested on what 31’ owners without the pilothouse say.

I fitted a removable forestay for a storm jib, but have yet to figure out how to run the sheets. No backstays (the mast has tangs, but no pad eyes on cabin). Recently had an asymmetric spinnaker made, which doubles sail area and am still in the learning curve handling it.

Now contemplating an Atlantic crossing..

 

[StephenMaturin]

Thanks for the info!

I was reading last night about Asym spinnakers on PS 31's. All of the reviews seemed favorable. Some discussion about using a furler vs. sock. The furling system sure seems nice.

We'll be using ours in the PNW, often during poor weather (i.e., not just July 15 - August 7th), so I'm pretty psyched about the potential for dryness and warmth.

re: the short mast... it's deck-stepped, so the overall bridge clearance remains the same as the PS 31, right? Is there any reduction in Mainsail area? I can see a dodger on top of a regular cabin top being as high as the pilot house on the PS 32.

Hopefully, we can check her out tomorrow and if things go well, we'll do an extended sea trial and really check out her sailing characteristics.

Thanks again for the info. If you think of anything I should focus on when looking at her, please PM me.

Pondering the move north from SF bay to the Puget Sound...

 

[wmjr]

I have owned my '87 31 (not Pilothouse) for 15 years and love it even more now than when I first bought it. It is a joy to single hand. It is also a joy in (gulp) heavy weather. I often take two or three day trips with up to four, very occasionally five people (who get along). Close quarters, of course, but it all works out fine.

I have the sheel keel but have no practical way to know how close to the wind I would sail with another keel. I would love to see two equally skilled sailors with new '31s, one with each type of keel, duke it out to see what the real life difference would be.

I do enjoy having the sheel keel when I get a little too close to the rocks but if I could afford to buy a new boat it would be a Pacific Seacraft 31 with the regular keel. It would definitely be a Pacific Seacraft and definitely a 31.

Watermark

 

[Drifting]

Stephen - let us know your observations of the 32PH. They don't get much discussion here; I believe only a couple of dozen were built (I have #15).

 

[StephenMaturin]

Well, damn. After being on the market for 2 years, she got an offer and was out for a sea trial the day I planned on going down to see her!

I'll keep my eye out for one... especially on the water to see how she moves.

Thanks for your thoughts