Centerboard 39-2

[mpbeagle]

I'm looking seriously at a 1987 39-2 but have some concerns:
1-Centerboard-What keeps it from clanking up and down in big waves? IE Once it is lowered, what keeps it down? I had a Mac with a swing keel and everytime the waves kicked up the 500 lbs would go smacking into the keel trunk. I'm also worried that the CB is just another thing that can fail. Is there anything I need to look at before I buy the boat signalling poor maintenance or impending failure.
2-I have seen differing opinions about how the hull is cored below the waterline. Is this true? Are there problems seen with the cored hull or deck/hull joint?

 

[NYSail]

I have a 1986 P36-2 with Centerboard which is highly similar.
When I got mine the main sheave was seized as it is bronze within a stainless steel housing. I took the whole thing apart, had a new housing build with new sheave and now the system works perfect and is easy to crank... Does not clank around.... stays down just fine. I use the board only when sailing to wind and never had the issue you mentioned. Hull is not cored.... solid fiberglass. Deck hull joint on mine was in poor condition. When I replaced the rub rail I completely cleaned the joint and rebed with 5200.... no leaks and no problems.

Good luck

 

[cromer]

I have a 1989 Pearson 39-2. The bottom is cored below the waterline. Here is a link to the 1987 brochure. It states cored bottom. They are great boats! http://web.archive.org/web/20051214051513/http://pearsoninfo.net/39-2/brochure/brochure_2.gif

 

[NYSail]

Wonder why they would core the 39-2 and not the 36-2?

 

[Capt Gary175]

Can't speak to the centerboard question, but I have a 1989 P39-2 and the hull is in great shape. Very solid boats and the performance is very good (at least with a 5'3" wing keel). I'm very happy with the layout. I originally had the same concerns with a cored hull, but I don't think it is a problem.

 

[ablegen]

I've also got a 1987 39-2, and have never had any problems with the CB banging up on the trunk. The cored hull is normally not a problem unless you start adding thru hull fittings and don't properly prepare the hole.
I do have problems with a wet core on the deck as Pearson did not over drill holes for deck gear and fill them with epoxy. Overall a great comfortable boat that goes great especially on a reach.