Pearson 40 for first boat? Thoughts?

[vicpr25]

Hi All,

I've been searching around for boats and I found this one and put a deposit for it (I got a few days before closing). For what I read, these are very capable boats and fiberglass work is top notch. Not too big inside for a 40, but if it safer and more performance, its something I can live with..

I went to see the boat, it has the original standing rigging, but looks in decent shape (definitely needs to be checked out in the future, im not a rigger) and running rigging is dirty, needs cleaning or replacing. No soft spots on the the deck or spider cracks. The boat is in the hard, I didn't noticed anything with the hull, no blisters or anything. Needs sanding and new paint. We connected a hose to the engine, de-winterized it, ran it, switch to reverse, turned off, turned on the first try and we then winterized it again. Now the boat is barebones, no A/C, Dodger or Bimini, or fancy stuff, it does have a water heater, but don't know of the condition. It has a max prop and tiger rope cutter. I believe it has the original rudder, not the Mark II.

The only bad thing I could find was in the inside. It seems it has a leak, either through the compression post or the hatch, and that got all the cabin top core rotted and the headliner is pealed off and hanging. I don't think that is a major work to fix. It definitely doesn't look structural, is more cosmetic.

Now, I have a little bit of experience in sailing, I participated this season in races as a foredeck. Next season I want to sail on my own. I know this seems a very big boat to learn with, but I got a feeling that for the price and for the boat of this caliber, is a deal I should not let pass by.

Any thoughts? Am I crazy or let's call it adventurous?

If you guys want to take a look at the boat ad, THIS IS THE BOAT.

PS: got it for less that the asking price in the ad..