1981 Pearson 424
Sodus Point, NY
This 1981 Pearson 424 Ketch is a center-cockpit bluewater cruiser designed by William Shaw with documented offshore passages to Bermuda, St. Martin, Grenada, the Virgin Islands, and along the U.S. East Coast. She is equipped for extended cruising or liveaboard life with a comprehensive suite of navigation, electrical, and mechanical upgrades already in place. Sailors seeking a passagemaker with real offshore history and extensive onboard systems will find this vessel ready for serious consideration.
Specifications
Key Features
- Proven bluewater passages: Bermuda, St. Martin, Grenada, Virgin Islands, and U.S. East Coast
- Full sail inventory: roller furling headsail, full-batten mainsail, mizzen, mizzen staysail, and asymmetrical spinnaker
- Solar panels and wind generator installed for cruising independence
- 35-gallon-per-hour watermaker installed (new membrane required)
- Raymarine C80 chartplotter, new GPS, and SSB radio aboard
- Below-deck autopilot reported to perform flawlessly in heavy seas
- Victron components included, valued at approximately $2,000, for future lithium battery conversion
- 2-year-old Zodiac 10' dinghy with 8hp 2-cycle outboard included
Description
This 1981 Pearson 424 Ketch is a proven offshore cruiser that has already completed serious bluewater passages, including voyages to Bermuda, St. Martin, Grenada, the Virgin Islands, and the U.S. East Coast. She is exceptionally well equipped for extended cruising or comfortable liveaboard life, and is equally at home preparing to head south tomorrow or enjoying the summer season on Sodus Bay.
**Design & Construction**
Designed by William Shaw, the Pearson 424 is widely respected for its strong construction, comfortable motion offshore, spacious interior, and practical center cockpit layout. This vessel has benefited from extensive upgrades and thoughtful cruising equipment additions over the years, making her an outstanding value for sailors seeking a capable passagemaker.
**Deck & Sail Plan**
The boat is set up for safe, manageable short-handed cruising with the following:
– Roller furling headsail
– Full-batten mainsail
– Mizzen sail
– Mizzen staysail
– Asymmetrical spinnaker
– Windlass
– Davits
– Lifesling
– Radar
– Full enclosure canvas package
Included with the boat is a 2-year-old Zodiac 10′ dinghy paired with an 8hp 2-cycle outboard.
**Electrical & Energy Systems**
The electrical and energy systems have been upgraded to support cruising independence, including:
– Solar panels
– Quiet wind generator
– 1,800W inverter
– MPPT charging system
– Victron components (valued at approximately $2,000) included for a future lithium battery conversion
A 35-gallon-per-hour watermaker is installed and currently requires a new membrane.
**Navigation & Communication**
– Raymarine C80 chartplotter
– New GPS
– SSB radio
– Below-deck autopilot (reportedly performs flawlessly, even in heavy seas)
**Mechanical**
The vessel has seen significant investment and maintenance, including:
– Chainplates replaced
– Mast step rebuilt
– Fuel polishing system installed
– New fuel tank
– New oil pan, new gaskets, front and rear seals (engine)
– Rebuilt V-drive (completed 2012)
**Below Deck**
The Pearson 424 offers warm, spacious accommodations well suited to long-distance cruising. Features include a large aft cabin, generous salon, abundant storage, refrigeration plus a separate freezer, and excellent ventilation.
This is not a project boat — it is a genuinely equipped cruising yacht with real offshore history, extensive upgrades, and the gear needed to continue adventuring immediately. If you have been searching for a capable classic cruiser with pedigree, equipment, and proven offshore experience, this Pearson 424 deserves serious consideration.
Additional Details
Disclaimer
More Features:
- Ais Receiver
- 1800W Inverter
- 5 Disc CD Changer
- Spinnaker Pole
- Dripless Prop Shaft packing
- PYI Engine Damper
- Icom SSB With Tuner
- KISS Ground Plane
- 4 Anchors including a MansonSupreme
- 300 Feet 5/16″ HT Chain
- Cockpit Shower
- Steering Wheel with Hydraulic Ram
- Mizzen Main and Mizzen Staysail
- Midship Companionway into Main salon
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Upgrades & Maintenance
- 2012 — Rebuilt V-drive
- 2012 — New oil pan, new gaskets, front and rear seals (engine work)
- Chainplates replaced
- Mast step rebuilt
- Fuel system upgraded with fuel polishing system and new fuel tank
- Solar panels installed
- Wind generator installed
- 1,800W inverter installed
- MPPT charging system installed
- Victron components added (valued at approximately $2,000 for future lithium battery conversion)
- Radar installed
- Full enclosure canvas package added
- Davits installed
- Windlass installed
Contact the Broker
Interested in the 1981 Pearson 424? Get in touch with our broker directly.

