Pros & Cons Pearson 365 Ketch

[captainstubbie]

OK, I am getting closer - looked at numerous Water boats">blue water boats - and the Pearson 365 Ketch keeps coming up in my top 3. I have seen threads where many experienced cruisers seem to have lots of good things to say about them. If it is OK to ask again - please tell me the pros & cons of this fine vessel for a 1-2 year stay in the Carribean getting comfortable and then heading out to destinations unknown. Will only be 2 of us most of the time, would love to hear what you have to say. Thanks in advance for your comments.

[maxingout]

We sailed in the company of a Pearson 365 half way around the world - from Thailand to Trinidad. They loved their boat, and it seemed to work fine for them.

[captainstubbie]

did they happen to say much about how she sailed close to the wind?

[Mambo]

The P365 always seemed like a good boat for the money. The cockpit is pretty large for offshore work but not incurably so (store a liferaft in the cockpit, install some other watertight space eater) and that extra room is great when you are in port. Nice combination of traditional lines but not *too much* teak up top. People rave about the crusing sail combos with the ketch. I have never head it called a total dog to weather -- obviously it won't point like a racer. From a CD owner's perspective, the extra beam of the pearson is real attractive -- the galley is nice sized and you have a ton of storage. Nice boat.
-M

[Mambo]

Pearson 365/367 Yacht Club - Index

[maxingout]

Originally Posted by captainstubbie

did they happen to say much about how she sailed close to the wind?

They sailed with us 700 miles to windward up the Red Sea, and they did very well sailing to windward. I was impressed with the performance for an older cruising design.

[captainstubbie]

thanks for the info so far - lots to read on their site

[Mike Sibley]

If looking at a P365, pay attention to the mast step, the fuel tank, old wiring, and anything (stantions, ets.) that go through the cored deck.

The mast step was made of steel and most/all will need replacement by now. Check the botton portion of the mast for corrosion. It is not a cheap fix.

The fuel tanks on many 365s were constructed of steel and tend to rust. Replacing the fuel tank is not an easy job as the engine must be removed to put in a tank of similar size to the original. An alternative is to cut out the old tank and replace with two smaller tanks that that will fit through cockpit lockers. Neither approqach is cheap or easy.

The original wiring on 365s was not tinned and corrodes with time. Check to see how much of it has been replaced.

There are many 365s on the market for 25K - 45K that have not been well maintained or upgraded. If buying one of these, count on spending another healthy chunk of change to get it in safe condition.

[captainstubbie]

thanks for the input - the survey on the 1 i wanted didn't come out too good...soft spots, wiring, and mast step. great advice - thanks! so..........the search continues.

[Inkwell]

Pearson 365 Sloop for Sale $16K - Cruising World Forums & Community. This guy did a lot of upgrading and seem to know what the P365 could do. The S/V Third Day.