Pearson 323
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About the Pearson 323
Built between 1976 and 1983 by Pearson Yachts, this William Shaw-designed 32-footer represents solid American cruising boat construction from the era when fiberglass sailboats were reaching maturity. The 323's traditional masthead sloop rig and fin keel with skeg-mounted rudder configuration delivers dependable performance for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. With a displacement of 12,800 pounds and 4,500 pounds of ballast, this boat offers the stability and seakindly motion that Pearson built its reputation on during the 1970s. The moderate sail area of 477 square feet provides manageable sail handling for couples or small crews, while the fin keel design ensures reasonable pointing ability and maneuverability in tight quarters. Shaw's design emphasizes comfort and practicality over pure performance, evident in the boat's generous beam and traditional proportions. The comfort ratio of 31.84 suggests pleasant motion in a seaway, while the capsize screening value of 1.71 indicates good stability characteristics for coastal and near-offshore sailing. The 323 appeals to sailors seeking a well-built, no-nonsense cruiser capable of extended coastal passages. Its Pearson pedigree means solid construction quality and a design philosophy that prioritizes seaworthiness and crew comfort over racing performance.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
$4,000 – $27,500
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
32.25 ft / 9.83 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
27.50 ft / 8.38 m
Beam
10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft
4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement
12,800.00 lb / 5,806 kg
Ballast
4,500.00 lb / 2,041 kg
Ballast Type
Lead
Sail Area (Reported)
477.00 ft² / 44.31 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
William Shaw
Builder
Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built
1976
Last Built
1983
Associations
Pearson Yacht Owners Portal
Related Sailboats
Cape Dory 32 · Sabre 32 · Endeavour 32 Cb · Aloha 32 · Irwin 32 Citation
Owner Reviews
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Known Issues & What to Watch For
The deck-to-hull joint on the Pearson 323 uses an inward-turned flange bolted and bedded with a sealant that dries out and cracks over time. Water intrusion at this joint is a chronic problem and can lead to delamination and core saturation in the toerail area.
Pearson used balsa core extensively in the deck of the 323. The area around chainplates, stanchion bases, and deck hardware is highly prone to core rot from fastener penetrations that were poorly bedded at the factory or have lost their seal over decades.
The chainplate attachment points pass through the deck and are prone to leaking, which saturates the balsa core and can compromise the structural integrity of the chainplate knees below deck. These should be removed, inspected, and rebedded during any purchase survey.
The 323 carries an external lead keel attached with stainless steel keel bolts that are known to corrode at the keel-to-hull interface. Weeping rust stains in the bilge at the keel sump area indicate bolt corrosion that may be well advanced before it is visible.
The keel-to-hull joint on many 323s shows cracking and separation of the fairing compound used at the factory. This is common and should be carefully distinguished from structural movement; probe the joint to check for actual hull-to-keel separation.
The chainplates on the 323 are internal, glassed to the hull liner, and difficult to inspect without removing interior joinery. Stress cracking in the liner or gelcoat near the shroud attachment points can indicate chainplate movement or failure.
Many early 323s were fitted with the Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine. These engines are aged and parts availability is limited; the carburetor, fuel pump, and raw water cooling system are common failure points. Confirm engine type and verify whether conversion to diesel has been done.
1976–1980 models
The molded fiberglass liner system used by Pearson in the 323 traps moisture between the liner and the hull, leading to hidden fiberglass degradation and mold growth that is very difficult to detect or remediate without partial liner removal.
The skeg supporting the rudder is solid fiberglass but the skeg-to-hull junction can develop stress cracks and separation after years of rudder loading. Inspect the skeg root carefully for cracking or soft spots indicating delamination.
Original wiring on surviving 323s is now 40–47 years old; Pearson's factory wiring used undersized conductors by modern standards and non-tinned copper that is prone to corrosion and brittleness. A full rewire is advisable on boats that have not been updated.
Own or have surveyed a Pearson 323? Submit a known issue
Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
174
SA/Displacement
Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
14
Ballast/Displacement
Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
35.16
Displacement/Length
Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
274.77
Comfort Ratio
Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
31.84
Capsize Screening Formula
The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.71
Hull Speed
Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions.
7.03 kn
S# (Speed Number)
The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.68
Pounds/Inch Immersion
Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline.
982.61 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc)
Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure.
14
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
41.00 ft / 12.50 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
13.83 ft / 4.22 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
36.00 ft / 10.97 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
10.75 ft / 3.28 m
SA Fore
283.52 ft² / 26.34 m²
SA Main
193.50 ft² / 17.98 m²
SA Total (100%)
477.02 ft² / 44.32 m²
Est. Forestay Length
43.27 ft / 13.19 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Universal
Engine Model
Atomic 4
Engine Type
Gas
Horsepower
30
Fuel Capacity
30 gals / 114 L
Water Capacity
70 gals / 265 L
How It Compares
vs. Aloha 32, Cape Dory 32, Endeavour 32 Cb, Irwin 32 Citation, Sabre 32
This boat
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Dimensions
LOA
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
LWL
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Beam
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Displacement
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Ballast
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Sail Area
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Hull Speed
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Pearson 323 ★
Aloha 32
Cape Dory 32
Endeavour 32 Cb
Irwin 32 Citation
Sabre 32