The Pearson 323 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Pearson 323

Underwater Profile: Fin Keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 32'3" (9.8m)

Waterline Length: 27'6" (8.4m)

Beam: 10'0" (3.1m)

Draft: 4'6" (1.4m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 12,800lb (5,806kg)

Ballast: 4,500lb (2,041kg)

Designer: William Shaw

Builder: Pearson Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1976

Year Last Built: 1983

Published Design Ratios for the Pearson 323

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.0

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 35.2

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 275

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 31.8

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.7

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Pearson 323

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 14.0 suggests that the Pearson 323 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 35.2 means that a sailboat like the Pearson 323 (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 275 tells us the Pearson 323 is a moderate-to-heavy displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Maybe not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in lively conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 31.8 suggests that crew comfort of a Not an ideal choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions. in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 indicates that a Pearson 323 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.