Considering a 323

[Mick8034]

My wife and I are considering purchasing a 1979 Pearosn 323. We plan to use it for some weekends on the lake and some coastal crusing for now with a possibility of a hop over the the Bahamas in a year or so for about a 30 day vacation. Any information anyone can give me about the Pearson 323 would be greatly appreciated such as any quirks it may have; ease of sailing; any problems anyone has encountered with one; dislikes etc. Thanks in advance for any information you could provide. Mick & Pat

 

[Geoff16659]

Refitting one now

My 323 is in my yard undergoing a total refit. To make a long story short, bad accident last year prevented sailing. Had the boat hauled home so we could work on it. Got going...can't stop...now boat is gutted. EVERYTHING will be new when done...well...almost everything. We only had the boat for one year of sailing and are fairly new to sailing. I can't help you with the wisdom of years of experience. If, though, you have questions about the guts of the boat or are planning something and would like to know how I did it I'll be happy to help. Geoff

 

[tsmith]

a good boat

The 323's are heavey by todays standards. You will need to updatemt of the systems for the Bahamas but the local cruising will be ok. The shallow draft will handy. Have fun

 

[p323ms]

Had one for a year

We bought MoonShadow last August and have sailed her regularly since. We have been out in 25+ knots in Mobile bay with a mean chop. Spray had the foot of the genny wet and she felt safe and solid. We have had some problems as with any 24 year old boat. Some corrosion at the mast step. Had to replace the holding tank. Worry about the MD11C diesel engine. Thankfully no problems except replaceing the alternator.  We sailed her twice along the coast once all day(50 miles) and once overnight(100 miles). Oddly on the overnighter the wind died and except for the swell and the dolphins it was like being on a lake. I blundered too close to shoal water and had swells that I had to look up to see the tops while standing in the cockpit. She rode over them with no problems while sailing at 5kts. She has a really strong prop walk to the starboard when in reverse. I have learned to use this trait to my advantage when backing into a slip. Sailing from Panama City to Port Saint Joe(25mile) in the gulf with 10-15kts and 2-4' seas was a fantastic sail staying at 5-6 kts. The more we sail her the more confidence we have. I haven't sailed a Catalina 30 but talking to owners a couple slips over his wife was scared under simular conditions. But it might be the wife and not the boat. But my daughter was with us on this trip and though she has been nervous in the past didn't complain. Her friend tossed her cookies a few times. We plan to use MoonShadow exactly as you are planning to use a boat.