Pearson 303 Owners answer my questions about the boat: ------------------------------~=\P/=~------------------------------ From: Date: Tue, May 30, 2000, 4:03 PM To: RD Subject: Re: Pearson 303 Owners In a message dated 05/29/2000 RD writes: << Hello, I think you all are P303 owners. My wife and I are thinking of moving up to a larger boat. The Pearson 303 has caught our eye on the docks, but I have not found one yet that we could go aboard to examine. I was hoping that some of you P303 owners could answer a few questions. >> Hi Ron: Here's some answers. >1. How long is the Vee-Berth? I'm 6'-2". Our 7' vee-berth with 12" >toe space is just barely comfortable for the two of us to share. I'm 6'6" and the V-berth is long enough for me to sleep comfortably. The quarter berth is pretty good too, but I think some of the later models of 303's with the chart table may not have much room there. > >2. How deep is the bilge? Seems like I once read a comment about >water sloshing out of it? I'd guess about a foot and a half. Maybe a little less. Sloshing water shouldn't be a problem if the boat isn't sinking and you have a working bilge pump or two. >3. What engine is installed in most 303's? I think Yanmar 2GMF's that are rated at either 13 or 18 hp. I've heard from some that there is no real difference between the 13 and 18, but given a choice, I'd go with a bit more horsepower. >4. Do all of the portlights open? The forward two on both sides - the smaller ones. >5. I noticed that the mast has only single lower shrouds. Our >Pearson 28 is the same, and I've never noticed any problem with it, >as the mast is beefy enough it doesn't seem to need it. Single shrouds seem just fine. I've not heard of any problems. >6. Does the 303 have any noticeable weather helm? How does the boat >handle in 25-30 knot winds? Mine does have some weather helm in 25-30 knot winds, but I rarely sail in those winds. I've often thought that additional tuning of the mast would help a bit. >7. Is the rudder on a skeg? The drawing looks like it probably is. Yes. >8. What do you think are the best and worst characteristics of the boat? It's a quality boat for it's price - I'm really not aware of anything better. It is NOT a racer. It IS a comfortable family cruiser. Have you seen the Practical Sailor review of the boat? It's pretty realistic, I think. ------------------------------~=\P/=~------------------------------ From: Date: Mon, May 29, 2000, 7:54 PM To: RD Subject: Re: Pearson 303 Owners In a message dated 05/29/2000 RD writes: << Hello, I think you all are P303 owners. My wife and I are thinking of moving up to a larger boat. The Pearson 303 has caught our eye on the docks, but I have not found one yet that we could go aboard to examine. I was hoping that some of you P303 owners could answer a few questions. >> >1. How long is the Vee-Berth? I'm 6'-2". Our 7' vee-berth with 12" >toe space is just barely comfortable for the two of us to share. I am 6-2 and my wife is 5-9. The v berth is very big for a 30 foot boat and was a factor in our decision. We are very comfortable in it. >2. How deep is the bilge? Seems like I once read a comment about >water sloshing out of it? The bilge is quite deep due to internal ballast. The Pearson 30 has a flat bottom and a shallow bilge (so I have heard--it looks like my old Pearson 26 which had these attributes) >3. What engine is installed in most 303's? I think they all came with a Yanmar 2gmf fresh water cooled diesel. 13 hp 2 cylinder engine. A bit of vibration but very reliable. Pushes our boat a t 6 knots at 2500 rpm in flat water with a clean bottom. You will hear that the engine is undersized but not in my opinion. >4. Do all of the portlights open? 4 of our six ports open and there are 2 large hatches. Later boats may have more opening ports. >5. I noticed that the mast has only single lower shrouds. Our >Pearson 28 is the same, and I've never noticed any problem with it, >as the mast is beefy enough it doesn't seem to need it. the mast is a telephone pole. Any boat this shoal and beamy is going to develop weather helm as the wind pipes up. I combat it with roller furling and an autohelm. >6. Does the 303 have any noticeable weather helm? How does the boat >handle in 25-30 knot winds? Properly canvassed the boat behaves in high winds but it would not be my choice if this is typical for your area. >7. Is the rudder on a skeg? The drawing looks like it probably is. The rudder is on a skeg and she tracks better downwind than our spade rudder 26. Best thing about the boat is the value for the interior room and sturdy construction--no cheap components. the cockpit is a bit tight for more than 4 . >8. What do you think are the best and worst characteristics of the boat? Don't buy the boat is you race a lot. She sails well but not particularly fast--you won't keep up with a Tartan 30. This is a great boat for a couple or family with 2 or fewer children. We cruise with our 2 almost teenage daughters for up t o 2 weeks at a time in relative comfort in Southern New England. If you want a small coastal boat in this price range I think she is the best choice! ------------------------------~=\P/=~------------------------------ From: To: RD Subject: Pearson 303 I have owned my 1984 303 since July 4th 1987. I wil try and answer your questions to the best of my ability. >1. How long is the Vee-Berth? I'm 6'-2". Our 7' vee-berth with 12" >toe space is just barely comfortable for the two of us to share. 1. I just measured my V- Berth 6 Ft. 6" long and 18 " wide toe space. I'm only 6' tal so no problem. >2. How deep is the bilge? Seems like I once read a comment about >water sloshing out of it? 2. My bilge is 13" deep at the mast I have an Auto bilge pump with no problem. >3. What engine is installed in most 303's? 3. Mine has it's orignal 13 HP 2GMF Yanmmar> I think I have heard of 18 HP in later models. Mine has worked great. >4. Do all of the portlights open? 4. Two on each side of the V-Bert tothe V-Berth, one in the head and one across from the head. I have seen a brochure where the main portlights in the Saloon could be opened. >5. I noticed that the mast has only single lower shrouds. Our >Pearson 28 is the same, and I've never noticed any problem with it, >as the mast is beefy enough it doesn't seem to need it. 5. I crossed the Gulf of Mexico in December of 1991 and hgad winds of 20 to 30 knots for a week and one night over 40 without any problems. One time sailing from Galveston Tx. to Chorpus Christi Tx. averaged a half knot above hull speed surfing in front of a northner without any problems. Had my shrouds die tested in 1998 and everything was OK. >6. Does the 303 have any noticeable weather helm? How does the boat >handle in 25-30 knot winds? 6. I,m not experinced with a lot of boats but I would say she has a lot of weather helm. If you keep her with less than 20 degrees of heel she sails wonderful and respectablly. She is not a raceing desigin. In the condition you mentioned Adouble reef in the main and about 85% of my 135 Genoa out would be about perfect. >7. Is the rudder on a skeg? The drawing looks like it probably is. 7.The Rudder is Skeg mounted If you have access to The January/Febuaray 1998 issue of Ocean Navigator under corespondence you will find a story of how I removed, repaired , and replaced mine with the boat in the water. >8. What do you think are the best and worst characteristics of the boat? 8. I think the best characteristic of the boat is great division of space no one area is over sized Cockpit, Saloon, V-Berth. My wife and I just returned from three weeks in the Bahamas and after 13 years we still feel the same way The shoal draft is great in the keys and the Bahamas. The Galley is very limited I have done a couple of things in this area that has helped if you get a 303 and are interested I would be glad to send along information. As an old saying goes the perfect boat drinks 6, feeds 4 and sleeps 2 the 303 meets this perfectly. If you get a 303 and like to adapt a boat to your self I have done a lot of modification on my boat and be glad to share them with you. ------------------------------~=\P/=~------------------------------