Pearson 323

Description

The Pearson 323 is a classic coastal cruising sailboat that prioritizes comfort, safety, and ease of handling in a compact 32-foot package, making it ideal for couples or small families exploring bays, sounds, or short offshore hops. As a masthead sloop designed by William (Bill) Shaw, it features a fin keel with skeg-hung rudder for protected steering and balanced performance, with a focus on volume belowdecks and a user-friendly cockpit. Owners appreciate its solid construction, roomy accommodations for its size, and forgiving nature in moderate winds, though it's more cruiser than racer—best suited for relaxed sailing rather than competitive speed. At nearly 50 years old, it's a durable, affordable entry into classic fiberglass ownership, with a dedicated association for support. Introduced in 1976 by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the 323 was part of a lineup of family-oriented cruisers that marked a shift toward contemporary designs with broader beams and longer waterlines, following the Pearson brothers' departure from the company in the mid-1960s. Bill Shaw, Pearson's chief naval architect since 1964 (and later general manager), drew from his Sparkman & Stephens background—including work on America's Cup yachts—to create a practical, non-IOR-influenced vessel emphasizing style and livability. Production ran through 1983 (some sources cite 1985), with approximately 385 hulls built—a solid run for the era, reflecting its popularity as an "everyman's cruiser." Pearson Yachts closed in 1991 under Grumman Allied Industries, but the 323 endures via the active Pearson 323 Owners Association (pearson323.com), which offers forums, classifieds, and events.