Boat choice

[Cherrnkind]

Have been looking at boats for 6 months now and have narrowed my search to 3 boats. I intend to use the boat to sail from Florida east coast to Bahamas and the keys with wife and preteen daughters. I have narrowed it down to a Pearson, a Pearson 323 or a Soverel 37. I would appreciate any and all opinions on these boats.

 

[Tim R.]

What is that first Pearson? You should also provide the years of the boats.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

and length of the pearson. and price. more info in general.

 

[Cayennita]

The Pearson at 32.3' has no quarter berths. Any guests will have to sleep in the main salon. A draft of 4.5 feet is good for the Bahamas banks. Short w/l will not be as comfortable as the Soverel 37 cutter rig ketch. A draft of 9.5 feet board down is good for the crossings. Has more stability and various possible configurations. A draft of 3.5 feet board up will let you go just about anywhere. It will be more sea kindly and you can sail with an awning over the main. It was built between 1971 and 1978. SWo it's old but very thick hull with a protected skeg rudder.

 

[BillyK]

Watch for soggy decks around the toe rail on the pearsons.. when i was shopping, every one that i looked at had that problem.. which was 8 out of 8 of them..

 

[Cherrnkind]

Thank you for the input. The pearson 35 is a 71. The Pearson 323 is 84 and the Soverel is a 75. I like the condition of the Soverel the best but have concern for the narrow beam compared to LOA. Will it make it a tender boat?