Pearson 10 Meter Questions

[Andy Karlin]

First Question: Does anyone have experience with the Pearson 10 meter? I’m considering making an offer on a 1980 model. Here’s the ad— https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ws...287946989.html

I spoke to the seller—the head of the charity that received the boat as a donation. He said he knows the former owner, who has owned it since 2013 and donated it because he’s awaiting delivery on a Dufour 39. Per the seller, the former owner maintained the boat regularly and diligently without regard to cost.

My background, for those interested:

I’m 59 years old and live in Los Angeles, about one-half mile from Marina Del Rey. I sailed some as a teenager and got back into it (sailing, not, alas, adolescence) last summer, when I completed the ASA 101 course. Thereafter, I joined a local sailing club—both to sail and learn basic maintenance, as I’m not handy, don’t know squat about fixing boats, and the club’s encouragement of members to help maintain the fleet provides a nice learning environment.

I have about 100 hours on the water skippering and crewing since last summer. I don’t have experience sailing on boats other than Cataline/Capri 22s. I think most of my sailing will be day sailing around Santa Monica Bay, mostly single-handed but regularly with friends (my wife has less than zero interest in sailing), with an occasional trip to Catalina or the other Channel Islands. I have no interest in racing, but will do some because I understand it’s an exciting way to get force-fed on sailing trim and other skills.

My plan was to wait for another year or so before buying a sailboat, and was thinking something between 25 and 30 feet in the $15K-$30K range would suit me best, but the most important criteria for me is finding a boat as close to pristine as possible. Hence, my interest in this Pearson 10 meter.

I’ve been reading this forum avidly for the last six months—thanks to all of you who contribute for the valuable knowledge and experience shared—and thus will apply Boatpoker’s insights to my initial inspection (in fact, I did so on a Coronado 25 that did not pass the smell test) and condition any offer on a survey (or surveys; boat and engine) and sea trial.

Second Question: Does anyone have a referral to a trustworthy and competent surveyor in Marina Del Rey, California?

Third Question: Is a 33-footer biting off more sailboat than I should chew? I’m not so much concerned about the sailing part as the maintenance responsibilities. I’m going to stick with the sailing club to continue to learn how to do the simplest repairs (and for other reasons), and can afford to pay for repairs that a handier person would tackle himself/herself, but am wondering if a 33-footer is on the far side of some threshold where maintenance becomes exponentially more difficult and costly.

Final Question: I looked at the boat this morning and it seems in very good condition. There was some water in the bilge, and a bunch of marbles. Why would someone put marbles in a bilge?

[psk125]

Don't know why someone would put marbles in the bilge, but you could do a lot worse than getting a well-cared-for Pearson 10M. It is a lot more boat than a Capri 22, but offers a lot more as well. Headroom. A head! A galley with icebox (maybe a fridge?). Real bunks and a V-berth. Going to Catalina becomes a pleasant option instead of a long slog. The boats seem to sail well and hold up well. If you take it on gently you should be able to get up to speed handling the bigger boat fairly quickly.

[thomm225]

I almost bought one a few years ago.

Make sure the boat has had all the upgrades.

I believe there was a change to the chain plate setup. Those that were an earlier serial number had to be redone by a factory recall or something.

Plus the mast base.

It's all on the Dan Pfeiffer website

Pearson 10M Documents

http://dan.pfeiffer.net/10m/10m.htm

http://dan.pfeiffer.net/10m/chainplates.htm

[Andy Karlin]

Thanks to all for your replies. Based on various factors, some not having to do with the boat itself, I have decided to pass on it.