Pearson 422 as Liveaboard/Cruiser

[mjdunn]

Hello all,

New here and looking for advice on purchasing a 1985 Pearson 422 as a liveaboard weekend sailer for the next few years and eventually as an offshore vessels. Have been looking at several boats over the last year and this boat just speaks to me and has all that I want. I will move to Hawaii end of the year and take a look and get a survey done of her. What I am asking of all of you is does anybody have any knowledge of major issues to look at with regard to this boat? Ie known tank issues, known engine issues. Things that me as a novice might not know to look at.

[skipmac]

Hi MJ.

Have a 1984 Pearson that I have been working on for the last four years and have been over just about every inch of the boat. Also have spoken with several other 422 owners about their boats to find out what issues they have had. At least 3-4 other 422 owners are on the forum.

Would be happy to pass along all I have picked up. Give me a call if you like and we can discuss at length. I am in USA, Florida. Will send you a pm with my phone.


Skip

[robert sailor]

Not sure exactly how close the 2 layouts are but the 422 is the CC version of the 424. The 424 had issues with oil canning and some cracking on the hull in the forward sections, there were some fixes that looked after that. The transom was on the thin side so if you were going to mount a vane you would want to beef that area up. The V-berth is very tight for anyone 6 ft and up.
The 422 was built in small numbers and is quite popular. The 424 was built in different variations and seems to be an OK offshore boat if well looked after. Either one should make a good live a board as they are quite large compared to many other designs in those years.

[mjdunn]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Hi MJ.

Have a 1984 Pearson that I have been working on for the last four years and have been over just about every inch of the boat. Also have spoken with several other 422 owners about their boats to find out what issues they have had. At least 3-4 other 422 owners are on the forum.

Would be happy to pass along all I have picked up. Give me a call if you like and we can discuss at length. I am in USA, Florida. Will send you a pm with my phone.


Skip

Skip thanks sounds great. I am currently in Bahrain but will definitely call you when I get back stateside here in a couple of weeks. Really want to know what to look for when I take my first look at her. She is currently listed at 88K so not looking to buy if I am look at a high repair bill.

Mick

[mjdunn]

Originally Posted by robert sailor

Not sure exactly how close the 2 layouts are but the 422 is the CC version of the 424. The 424 had issues with oil canning and some cracking on the hull in the forward sections, there were some fixes that looked after that. The transom was on the thin side so if you were going to mount a vane you would want to beef that area up. The V-berth is very tight for anyone 6 ft and up.
The 422 was built in small numbers and is quite popular. The 424 was built in different variations and seems to be an OK offshore boat if well looked after. Either one should make a good live a board as they are quite large compared to many other designs in those years.

Sounds great and thank you for the insight.

[Bucky205]

The Pearson 422 is a great boat as is the 424, we also have friends that liveaboard on a 422. Check the motor mounts. That has been a common problem I have seen them fail on the 422 and 424. As for my short list of live aboard favorites. IP 38+, Pearson 38, 422 and 424, Endeavor 42, Morgan 41. Every boat is a trade off for what your going to do with the boat.

Bucky s/v KALEX

[mjdunn]

Thanks Bucky for the heads up!

[mjdunn]

Well just made my purchase and now a very happy owner of a Pearson 422 S/V Kupani. Sea Trials on Thursday and Haul out and bottom paint to follow.

[skipmac]

Congratulations. Going to stay in Hawaii?

[mjdunn]

Thank you. Yes got a Liveaboard slip at Ko Olina Marina. Will be stationed here for the next 3 years.

[robert sailor]

Sweet. Hope the survey goes your way. Good luck

[mjdunn]

Thank you Robert! Will post pics of the haul out and bottom paint and an update on final survey.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by mjdunn

Thank you. Yes got a Liveaboard slip at Ko Olina Marina. Will be stationed here for the next 3 years.

Sounds like a really tough post but I guess someone has to do it.

[mjdunn]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Sounds like a really tough post but I guess someone has to do it.

Well have to finish my 20 so that I can retire and live the dream with the rest of you and cruise the world.

[skipmac]

20 doesn't sound too bad. I sold my last boat and worked for 30 years before I bought my 422. Been doing a total refit now almost 4 years and hope to launch this spring but still another couple of years before I can quit and go cruising full time.

On the other hand I did get to spend almost 10 years bumming around the Caribbean and east coast when I was younger. Like doing my retirement before I had the job. Now I get the second retirement.