Pearson Owners opinions

[bandit500]

I am in the process of narrowing down my search for a boat and the Pearson 36 or 39 is on my list. My only concern with the Pearson is the location of the engine under the galley sink in the middle of the cabin. What has been your experience with this? Is it noisy, does it give off heat and what about maintenance. I read somewhere that there may be some issues with prop shaft alignment.

thanks,
Ben

 

[Jerry Loomis monterey]

Pearson 37 engine

I have have never had an issue with any of the problems you are concerned over, except maybe noise and that will always be a problem with an in board as far as I know. The filters are a bit remote but I could probably fix that.

 

[bandit500]

Thanks for your reply and comments. These Pearson's seem like solid and well built boats. My list is down to either an Ericson 39 or the Pearson. Is there anyone else out there with any comments.

Thanks,

 

[Ariel]

Some of the 36-2's had a problem with shaft whip, not necessarily shaft alignment. The spacing between the engine and the strut is at the extreme and of the 1 1/4 inch OD shaft. (The shaft is around five and one half feet long). This problem was solved by adding a cutlass bearing in the shaft log where it enters the hull. With two cutlass bearings it is imperative that the engine be in alignment.

I do not know if the 39-2's were made the same but the mechanical arrangement is the same on both boats. If you have a survey done, check to see if there are two cutlass bearings.

As to noise and heat, it is no more than any other boat. The location of the engine and shaft log makes them more accessible than in many boats and the engine weight is close to the CE to reduce the pitching moment of the boat.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[Ariel]

Ben,

Where are you looking at these boats?

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[bandit500]

Thanks Ariel for that good information. This is what I like to know before I buy. I am looking on yachtworld and most of them seem to be in the Northeast. 3 of the 4 Pearson 36's have the engine under the galley sink. The other is a 34' and the engine is under the steps. I will look for the double cutlass bearing.

Ben

 

[NYSail]

The double cutlass is not manditory.... I have a 1986 P36-2 basically the same as Daves (Hi Dave!) and I do not have 2 cutlesses and have no problems with vibration once aligned properly. My friend who has a 39-2 (for sale here on Long Island and a beautiful fast boat) also does not have double cutlass and he too has no problem.

What I am saying is do not rule out a good boat if it does not have it.... wait and see and add if needed as Dave did.

Good Luck!! The Pearsons are GREAT boats.