1982 Pearson 323 Pearson

• September 2017, bottom job
•  Topside buffed and waxed 2017
• Rig tuned by Harbor marine services 2017
• New windexinstalled and mast top Sheaves lubricated 2017
• New foam on cushions in salon with new upholstery, 2018
• New bimini and frame July 2018
• New mainsail and stack pack cover  May, 2018
• New cutlass bearing and zincs September, 2017
• All new running rigging, 2017_18
• Engine serviced and ALL previous diesel removed Sept. 2017
• New nav lights on bow, 2017
• New cockpit inspection plate, 2017
• Extreme heater for engine compartment, 2017
• New batteries, 2019

Written by: Zuzana Prochazka

Bill Shaw drew the lines of the Pearson 323, eschewing IOR design rules (which were so popular in the 1970s) for a more practical aesthetic that would be safe, easy to sail, and comfortable to cruise. He hit the right notes with this 32-footer because over an eight-year period between 1976 and 1983, 385 hulls of this classic plastic were produced in Portsmouth, RI—and many are still enjoyed by passionate owners today.

Many Pearson 323 cruisers, like this 1978 build currently listed in New Bedford, can be found at or even below the $20,000 mark.

The hull is solid fiberglass with an encapsulated, elongated fin keel and a skeg-hung rudder. The beam (10’ 3”) is moderate by today’s standards, and the transom is vertical, leaving room for the installation of davits or self-steering gear.

The masthead sloop rig has a keel-stepped mast with a single set of spreaders. It supports 478 square feet of sail area, over half of which is in the large headsail. She will sail five knots in eight knots of true on a close or beam reach, which won’t set any records but the 323 is first and foremost a cruiser, not a racer. Under power, the original design was pushed by a 30 HP Atomic 4 gasoline engine with a V-drive. Many owners have since repowered, however, and diesels have made an appearance.

The interior maximized cruising comfort. Although there was an early flirtation with a quarter berth to starboard, it was soon replaced by a dedicated forward-facing nav station. Today, the boat will sleep five: two in the V-berth, two on a berth formed by the hi/lo table at the dinette to starboard, and one on the straight settee to port.

The galley is next to the companionway steps to port and is L-shaped with an icebox/refrigerator, a sink, a two-burner stove, and stowage outboard. Water tanks totaling 70 gallons are under each settee and fuel is 30 gallons. Both were respectable capacities for their time, and are even by today’s standards.

Having only 32 feet to work with, Shaw decided to make the head a pass-through space. Positioned between the forward master stateroom and the saloon, the head occupies a hull-to-hull sliver of space with the toilet to starboard, a locker to port and an optional shower with teak grate flooring in the middle. It may not be ideal if someone is in the V-berth and wants to go aft, but how much time do we really spend in the head outside of a quick shower?

Three things give the 323 appeal beyond comfort and easy sailing. First, there’s an active and well-maintained online owner’s association, chock full of information including spec sheets, history, owner recommendations, and a sense of community that makes owning a particular boat even more fun. Second, there are many 323s around so acquiring one will not be difficult. They can be found mostly along the Eastern Seaboard and around some lakes of the Midwest. Finally, although initially positioned near the middle of the market price-point when launched, today asking prices for the 323 run primarily $15,000 to $30,000. That means cruising on a budget is completely within reach. For anyone seeking a dependable, comfortable and very affordable classic, the Pearson 323 should be on the shortlist.

Visit Pearson 323 listings.

Specifications: LOA: 32’2” * Beam: 10’3” * Displacement: 12,800 lbs. * Draft: 4’5” * Sail Area: 478 sq. ft. * Fuel Capacity: 30 gal. * Water Capacity: 38 gal.

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.