| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | William Shaw |
| Location | United States |
| Year | 1983 |
| No. built | 42 |
| Builder | Pearson Yachts |
| Role | Cruiser |
| Name | Pearson 23C |
| Boat | |
| Displacement | 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) |
| Draft | 4.00 ft (1.22 m) |
| Hull | |
| Type | monohull |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| LOA | 23.00 ft (7.01 m) |
| LWL | 20.00 ft (6.10 m) |
| Beam | 8.00 ft (2.44 m) |
| Engine type | outboard motor |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | fin keel |
| Ballast | 1,200 lb (544 kg) |
| Rudder | transom-mountedrudder |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | cat rig |
| P mainsail luff | 30.00 ft (9.14 m) |
| E mainsail foot | 14.00 ft (4.27 m) |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | catboat |
| Mainsail area | 210.00 sq ft (19.510 m2) |
| Total sail area | 210.00 sq ft (19.510 m2) |
| Racing | |
| PHRF | 240 |
ThePearson 23C is an Americantrailerablesailboat that was designed byWilliam Shaw as acruiser and firstbuilt in 1983.[1][2][3]
The Pearson 23C is acat rigged development of thesloop-riggedPearson 23.[1][3][4]
The design was built byPearson Yachts in theUnited States from 1983 until 1985 with 42 boats completed, but it is now out of production.[1][3][5]
The Pearson 23C is arecreationalkeelboat, built predominantly offiberglass, with wood trim. It has acatboat rig with an unstayed, spun-taperedaluminum mast. The hull has araked stem, a plumbtransom, a transom-hungrudder controlled by atiller and a fixed finkeel or optional keel andcenterboard. It displaces 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) and carries 1,200 lb (544 kg) of ballast.[1][3]
The keel-equipped version of the boat has a draft of 4.00 ft (1.22 m), while the centerboard-equipped version has a draft of 5.17 ft (1.58 m) with the centerboard extended and 2.33 ft (0.71 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water or ground transportation on atrailer.[1][3][4]
The boat is normally fitted with a small 3 to 6 hp (2 to 4 kW)outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[1][3]
The design hassleeping accommodation for two people, with a double berth in the main cabin, made up from two straight settee berths, that can be joined athartships. Thehead is located in the bow. Cabin headroom is 56 in (142 cm).[1][3]
The design has aPHRF racing average handicap of 240 and ahull speed of 6.0 kn (11.1 km/h).[3]
The boat is supported by an active class club, thePearson Yachts Portal.[6]
In a 2010 review Steve Henkel wrote, "this boat is one of Bill Shaw's few catboat designs. In a way is a daring flight of fancy for Shaw, who was generally quiteconservative in his designs. Not much was at risk, however, the cat proved to not be very popular (which it wasn't; only 42 were built), since virtually the same molds and tooling were used to build the Pearson 23 sloop version ... Best features: Part of the idea for the cat rig was its innate simplicity: only one sail to trim, and the ability to tack without adjusting any lines. One owner says, 'It’s hard to imagine a better singlehander's boat.' Worst features: Some owners found the boomtopping lift a nuisance to operate because of the pronounced roach in the mainsail, and replaced the lift with a rigidvang. The 7/8" sailtrack tends to stick; some owners have tried Battcars, others installed something called Strongtrack, which slides over the existing track."[3]