The Pearson 323 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.5′, the Pearson 323 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.5′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
174s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
14.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
35.2%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
275
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
31.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.71
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
983lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
31.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.71
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pearson 323 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Sabre 32
150s/nm
Endeavour 32 Cb
168s/nm
Irwin 32 Citation
170s/nm
Pearson 323
174s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Aloha 32
177s/nm
Cape Dory 32
192s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Run150–180° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
4.0 |
4.1 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (14.0), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Pearson 323 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pearson 323.
|
Pearson 323 |
Aloha 32 |
Cape Dory 32 |
Endeavour 32 Cb |
Irwin 32 Citation |
Sabre 32 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
32.3 |
32.4 |
32.2 |
32.3 |
32.3 |
32.2 |
| LWL |
27.5 |
25.0 |
24.2 |
25.3 |
26.8 |
26.2 |
| Beam |
10.0 |
10.8 |
9.9 |
10.0 |
11.1 |
10.3 |
| Displacement |
12 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
477 |
524 |
509 |
464 |
518 |
480 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
174 |
177 |
192 |
168 |
170 |
150 |
| SA/Disp |
14.0 |
18.4 |
15.8 |
14.5 |
17.3 |
16.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
35.2 |
— |
40.0 |
42.7 |
43.8 |
39.1 |
| Comfort |
31.8 |
23.3 |
32.2 |
30.8 |
23.2 |
25.9 |
| Capsize |
1.71 |
2.03 |
1.75 |
1.77 |
2.03 |
1.89 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
6.7 |
6.6 |
6.7 |
6.9 |
6.9 |