Pearson 424 question

[BoonDoc]

So I’m looking at Pearson 424’s and I’m getting conflicting information. Sites such as Sailboatdata show the cutter and ketch having the main mast in different locations (cutter appears 2.45ft aft compared to ketch). Looking at pictures on YW and Sailboat Listing it appears the placement of the mast in the centerline salon table is inconsistent across the 2 models. I know some people convert the ketches to sloops/cutters.

Can anyone with any degree of certainty tell me how I can differentiate between a factory cutter vs a converted ketch? I don’t want a chopped up bastardized cutter.

[stormalong]

This boat was available from the factory in both configurations.

[BoonDoc]

Yes I’m aware. My question is how do I tell the difference from a factory cutter vs a factory ketch that someone converted to a cutter?

[Spindrift NH]

As you already stated, the position of the mast relative to the saloon table is one way. Sloop/ketch at the forward end, cutter at aft end. From the outside, the mast relative to the portlights. Sloop/ketch mast is in line with the second portlight from the bow, cutter is in line with the third portlight from the bow.

[BoonDoc]

Ok. So I would have thought a sloop and cutter would have the main mast in the same spot and only the ketch would have a forward main to account for/balance the mizzen mast. I’m not a naval architect but make sense in my pea brain.

[Pearson365Guy]

I believe that the sloop will also have a taller mast. In the Pearson 365 series has the same thing, a sloop and a ketch version. The ketch's mast is shorter and further forward.

[BoonDoc]

Yeah that makes sense to me.
Unfortunately, I got into a “spirited” discussion via test about this with a seller of a 424 on Sailboat Listing. I was trying to discern if his boat was an original cutter or a converted ketch. He was trying to tell me there is no difference in the main mast position and he has owned 2 424’s and yadda yadda yadda. I wasn’t trying to argue with him I just wanted him to tell me where his mast went were the salon table and he apparently was very offended by this and said it was “ridiculous “ to think that Pearson would make 2 different mast setups for the main. I just said thanks and good luck selling the boat. 🙄

[donradcliffe]

It takes a certain personality type to want to sail a Pearson 424. Most of them end up as single handers.

[BoonDoc]

Oh man! I don’t know if that’s a dig at me, the other guy, or both? Lol!

I’m just very OCD and research things to exhaustion when I’m passionate about them. It’s a curse, but it got me through med school, residency and 15 years of practice so I can’t complain too much. I will probably single hand but ideally my wife and kids will also fall in love with sailing life as much as I have.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by BoonDoc

Oh man! I don’t know if that’s a dig at me, the other guy, or both? Lol!

I’m just very OCD and research things to exhaustion when I’m passionate about them. It’s a curse, but it got me through med school, residency and 15 years of practice so I can’t complain too much. I will probably single hand but ideally my wife and kids will also fall in love with sailing life as much as I have.

Nothing wrong with that! All boats are a compromise anyway. Of the boats I've had, I liked those with less weather helm much better. A converted Ketch may be nice that way...... It just depends on all the details. Many Ketches are sailed without the mizzen up much of their lives.
Center of Effort on a sail plan is a variable thing. Every time you reef, change headsails, heel more, it changes.

[Spindrift NH]

I own a cutter. It has the 51’ mast. The manufacturer moved the position of the mast aft as you said about 2 1/2’ vs the ketch and sloop. That includes repositioning the chainplates. The interior of the cutter had 2 layouts, one the same as the ketch/sloop, one quite different which does not have the forward entry.
I have been all three versions and know an owner that owned both, first the ketch then sloop. The sloop has a longer boom, that’s it.
All three versions are from the same mold, top and bottom. The sole of my cutter has the reinforcement for the mizen mast.
Check out pearson424.org or the facebook group for good info.