pearson 27 questions

[ohgary]

I am looking at a Pearson 27, So far I only have a hand full of photo and a seller that is hard to reach for questions.

One thing I noticed was this Pearson 27 appears to have a tiller but most of the internet searches show the 27 with a wheeled helm. Was the tiller an option on the 27?

Any P27 specific forums around for more questions?

[MB750]

Not to discourage you but in my experience if the seller is hard to reach, look elsewhere. That tells me they're not too interested in actually selling their boat.

[jstevens]

I suspect the tiller was the standard configuration as it just bolted to the top of the outboard rudder, but most owners opted for the wheel option. I would prefer a tiller for this size boat.

There are many reasons a seller can be difficult to reach. One of them is not being a serious seller.
There is a general Pearson forum at Pearson Yacht Owners Portal,


John

[maxingout]

I had a Pearson 27 for three years when I was stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico more than thirty years ago.

It had tiller steering and a rather long cruising keel typical for the time period. I loved the way it sailed, and I rigged sheet to tiller steering when sailing in the waters of eastern Puerto Rico.

It was very responsive to the tiller, and I liked the boat a great deal. One of the best boats I ever had.

It was also the only I boat that I every sold for more than I paid for it. I purchased it for $12,000 and sold it for $16,000 after a linear polyurethane paint job.

Great boat!

[Don C L]

I am guessing you are referring to the 27 built in late 80s with the transom-hung rudder (not the Renegade of an earlier vintage) and I am pretty sure they came with tillers, in fact if you look at the photos the top of the rudder is ready for a tiller mounted there. Adding a ladder to the pushpit gives less room for a tiller, and there are a lot of folks who feel more sailorly with a wheel too.. better selling point.
This drawing shows a tiller:

[maxingout]

We had the Pearson 27 Renegade. Very strong mini cruiser. It did not have an outboard rudder, and it did have a tiller.

[maxingout]

The hatch on the stern of the yacht was a well in which we dropped the outboard motor. Not my favorite feature, but at least we did not have an outboard motor hanging off the stern.

[rognvald]

I don't believe Pearson ever made a bad boat. They are solid, well-tabbed internally, solid hulls and sail well. If I bought a boat under 30 feet, I would prefer a tiller boat for maximum responsiveness, simplicity of design and repair and maximizing cockpit space at anchor. I've owned my 34-2 wheel-steered Pearson since '95 and have had no structural issues whatsoever in 20K miles of both coastal and offshore sailing. In regards to no response by the seller, I would agree with previous respondents that he may not be a serious seller. I hope this helps you. Best, Rognvald

[maxingout]

I agree the that the structure of the Renegade is absolutely tough. No oil canning in this hull and bulkheads massively tabbed in place.

The only problem I ever head with my Renegade was I had to replace the chainplates as they cracked where the bolt holes went through the chainplates.

I also had to make new wooden spreaders as they eventually had some rot in the area where they attached to the mast. Easy job.