New Pearson 303 Owner

[rpearlberg]

We are in the process of buying a 1983 Pearson 303. I'm wondering if there is some sort of "owner's manual" or maintenance guide to help us get started. Mainly just want to know what needs to be done as far as routine maintenance....engine, winter care, bilge, head releases, batteries, moisture, checking lines etc....
Any help would be appreciated...

Thanks!

 

[Tim R.]

I take it this is your first boat. There are many good books out there that can help you. Unfortunately all boats are different and you question is very broad.

Here is a good site for Pearson specific info: http://www.pearsoninfo.net/303/303.htm

 

[NYSail]

Also, post this on the brand specific forum also on this site... many Pearson owners with great ideas.

Some of the items you listed though are general boat maintenance / concerns so you could also ask them here...

Good Luck
Greg
Pearson P36-2

 

[higgs]

I am going to disagree with prior posts. While all boats are different, they are also basically the same. Maintenance skills and knowledge transcends brands . Learn to rebed chain plates on a Pearson and you can do it on pretty much any boat. There may be certain problems that are brand specific, but generally, most issues will not be brand specific.

 

[sailingdog]

One advantage to posting on a boat specific or brand specific site is that you will find all the problems that are specific to the brand or model in question.

 

[BobM]

Be sure to check for wet decks. In their later years Pearson apparently was a little lax in sealing their deck penetrations. Survey says?

 

[SVCarolena]

Congrats on the boat! We have a 1984 P303, which has been great for us and is in the midst of a general refit. There are two very active Pearson message boards - one on Google Groups and the other on Yahoo. Although most of what you are asking about will be general to all boats, we have all the original documentation for our boat if you need anything specific, or if you want me to make copies. The best part about having the documetation is not so much telling you how to perform maintenance, but showing where the various bits are located - like thru-hulls, for instance (assuming previous owners haven't moved things around). I also suggest getting the engine manual (from the manufacturer, not aftermarket), and a couple maintenance/repair books by Don Casey and Nigel Calder.

 

[rpearlberg]

Congrats on the boat! We have a 1984 P303, which has been great for us and is in the midst of a general refit. There are two very active Pearson message boards - one on Google Groups and the other on Yahoo. Although most of what you are asking about will be general to all boats, we have all the original documentation for our boat if you need anything specific, or if you want me to make copies. The best part about having the documetation is not so much telling you how to perform maintenance, but showing where the various bits are located - like thru-hulls, for instance (assuming previous owners haven't moved things around). I also suggest getting the engine manual (from the manufacturer, not aftermarket), and a couple maintenance/repair books by Don Casey and Nigel Calder.

I'd love to get a copy of the original documentation. Email me at rpearlberg@gmail.com

Thanks!!

 

[Alex Dare]

deck fittings

Once it's yours, one of the first things I would do maintenance wise would be to start re-bedding the deck hardware if it hasn't been done recently. Stanchion bases, chain-plate covers and the cabin top mounted plates that locate the tops of the interior bulkheads would be first on the list. Those areas seem to be common points of water intrusion on these boats. (Your surveyor should be able to tell you if you have any deck/cabin top issues and if so, to what extent they've progressed)
Good luck with the purchase! If well cared for, those are nice boats.

 

[rpearlberg]

Thanks. The sale was completed a few months back and we've had in the water and taken it out a few times. It seems to be in great shape.....Our next step is getting the head and water system working. I think it probably works, we just haven't tried to use it yet....

 

[RichH]

Links for most of the world's Pearson nets, BBs, etc.
Also additionally choose/locate/peruse, etc. the P323 as its essentially a stretched 303 as its evolution/design immediately followed the 303. Many of the issues, etc. on the 323 are almost exactly the same on the 303.

http://pearsoninfo.net/links.htm pearsoninfo.net and pearsoninfo.net/links