Looking for comments on 1989 Pearson 31-2

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cromer

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Jul 22, 2009
29
Pearson 39-2 Clinton River
I'm going to look at a 1989 Pearson 31-2 tomorrow. Besides the standard "this old boat" stuff. (chainplates, water intrusion on deck, etc) Anything I should pay particular attention to in a Pearson 31-2?

Also looking for comments. What is your opinion of a Pearson 31-2? 1987-1991. Quality boat?

Thanks
 

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
This is a good quality production boat. I would put it a notch above a catalina(flame suit on) in terms of build quality, consistency and interior finish.

I believe this is a Bill Shaw design which should make it a relatively fast cruiser.

If you like the 31-2 then you should look at a 33-2 which has a nice aft cabin/head layout.

Here is some more info onthe 31-2:

http://pearsoninfo.net/31-2/31-2.htm

Where are you looking at this boat?
 
Jan 2, 2005
779
Hunter 35.5 Legend Lake Travis-Austin,TX
If its anywhere near as nice as the one TimR linked you to, I'd be all over it!!! Pearson quality was great. Good access for the diesel, nice layout, should sail and manouver(sp) very well. Nice size boat that will "Sail 6-Feed 4-Sleep 2" as good as any sub 35/36 boat out there.
 

MSter

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Apr 12, 2010
131
Sabre 38' MK II Oriental, NC
Other Pearson models

Tim etc.
Do the favorable comments made about the 31 & 33 ft models also apply to the Pearson 36 & /or 38 ft models from the late 80's.
They are on my short list but am having a hard time finding one close enough to check out.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,694
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
The one area that you need to be watching is the keel to hull joint on the 31-2. Yankee Marina in Maine, and a few others, have done many re-builds on these boats. The stringer & keel root system is rather lightly built and when one hits bottom, even at low speeds, they don't usually fair all that well. Yankee did the same boat twice and the second time they completely re-engineered the stringer / keel root system the second time.

They also tend to have small cockpits compared to other boats in this size category and a very shallow bilge. The teak toe rails on these boats, 31-2, 33-2, can also tend to leak and this goes directly into deck core. Most deck moisture is found along the outer toe rail area on these boats so check for that.

They are good boats, with a decent turn of speed, but I agree with Tim R. that the 33-2 is significantly more spacious and the space is used better. Just inspect the keel/hull area very, very closely.
 

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Tim etc.
Do the favorable comments made about the 31 & 33 ft models also apply to the Pearson 36 & /or 38 ft models from the late 80's.
They are on my short list but am having a hard time finding one close enough to check out.
Same generation of boats but I have heard of problems with wet decks. My friend's 33-2 is bone dry though. We just tested it last fall as he is thinking of upgrading.
 

cromer

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Jul 22, 2009
29
Pearson 39-2 Clinton River
Thanks everyone, this is exactly the information I was looking for.
 
Feb 6, 1998
11,694
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
Same generation of boats but I have heard of problems with wet decks. My friend's 33-2 is bone dry though. We just tested it last fall as he is thinking of upgrading.

What is he getting? His Pearson is in nice shape...
 

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Nothing right now but I think he is dreaming for a couple years down the road. When his daughter graduates from MMA.
 
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