Pearson 35
Built 1968–1982 by Pearson Yachts
About the Pearson 35
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1968–1982
- Builder
- Pearson Yachts
- Designer
- William Shaw
- Length
- 35 ft
- Waterline
- 25 ft
- Beam
- 10 ft
- Draft
- 3.75 ft
- Displacement
- 13,000 lb
- Ballast
- 5,400 lb
- Hull / keel
- centerboard
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- varies by year
- Water
- 40 gal
- Water heater
- factory option
- Number built
- 514
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- pedestal cable · Edson
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel varies by year
“30 Gallons-gasoline” — owner's manual (Universal Atomic 4 (standard engine)), pearson35.com · “18 Gallons-diesel” — owner's manual (Westerbeke W-30 (optional engine)), pearson35.com · “Fuel 30” — spec database, dan.pfeiffer.netThe builder's owner's guide gives 30 gal with the standard Atomic 4 gas engine and 18 gal with the optional Westerbeke diesel, which explains why sources split between 18 and 30. It doesn't say which was more common over 1968–82.
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Water 40 gal
“40 gl. w/cruise tanks 78 gl.” — owner's manual, pearson35.com · “Water 78” — spec database, dan.pfeiffer.netStandard is one 40 gal forward tank under the V-berth; the optional cruise tanks bring the total to 78, which was our earlier figure.
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Water heater factory option
“Optional Installation #3 (Hot and Cold Hand Pump and Pressure System) ... The hot water heater is at the forward end of” — owner's manual, pearson35.comPearson's owner's guide describes the hot and cold pressure system (with a heater under the starboard cockpit seat) as one of several optional fresh-water installations; the standard boat has hand pumps. No capacity or heating method given.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
Neither the Pearson 35 Owner's Guide nor the reproduced brochure text mentions a thruster.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
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Steering pedestal cable · Edson
“the more you'll appreciate the Pearson 35's huge 9'5" cockpit and well-placed pedestal steering” — brochure (c. 1980), dan.pfeiffer.net · “S-249-2 PEARSON 35 ... FIG. 77111 CHAIN & WIRE ROPE KIT W/HARDWARE” — search excerpt, edsonmarine.comA late Pearson brochure (reproduced on an owners' site) places the pedestal steering forward in the cockpit; Edson's chain-and-wire pedestal data sheet for the Pearson 35 is the only source for mechanism and brand. Whether early boats (from 1968) had a standard tiller with optional wheel is unsettled; owners report wheel-to-tiller conversions.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Keel/centerboard hull, draft 3.75 ft board up and 7.5 ft down. Yawl rig was optional. Largely unchanged 1968-1982; mid-1970s the dinette layout was replaced by a settee layout. Atomic 4 standard, Farymann diesel optional from about 1975, later Westerbeke and Universal diesels (sailboatdata also names Yanmar). Not to be confused with the late-1990s Pearson 35 derived from the 34-2. Sources read do not state whether the hull is solid or cored.
Engines fitted
-
Atomic 4 (Universal) — gas, single
standard
Practical Sailor: the original engine was the Universal Atomic 4, with the prop in an aperture; access was marginal.Sources: practical-sailor.com
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Farymann diesel (model not stated) — diesel, single
factory option
Practical Sailor: by 1975 a Farymann diesel became an option.Sources: practical-sailor.com
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Westerbeke diesel (model not stated) — diesel, single
factory option
Practical Sailor: after the Farymann came a variety of Westerbeke and Universal diesels; the reviewer recommends finding one with a Westerbeke.Sources: practical-sailor.com
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Universal diesel (model not stated) — diesel, single
factory option
Practical Sailor lists Universal diesels among the later factory options.Sources: practical-sailor.com
- Farymann — diesel factory option
- Westerbeke — diesel factory option
- Universal — diesel factory option
- Yanmar — diesel factory option
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
The owner's guide mentions a generator only in the generic fueling checklist; none is listed as standard or optional.
Manuals and brochures online
- Owner's manual Pearson 35 Owner's Guide and Protection Plan — pearson35.com
- Owner's manual P35 Operation Manual — pearson35.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
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Centerboard pivot and pennant hull
The board, trunk, pivot and pennant need regular maintenance and a thorough survey check; some owners have pinned the board up.practical-sailor.com
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Leaking ports, hatches and deck fittings deck
Aluminum ports, fiberglass hatches, stanchion and chainplate penetrations, and sometimes the hull-deck joint tend to leak with age.practical-sailor.com
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Difficult engine access and repowering engine
Access to the Atomic 4 is marginal and worse for diesels; owners' most common complaint is how hard it is to retrofit a diesel.practical-sailor.com
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Fuel tank condition fuel
Have the fuel tank checked professionally, as repair or replacement is not easy.practical-sailor.com
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Gelcoat crazing hull
Gelcoat crazing is a common complaint; blistering is about average for boats of the era.practical-sailor.com
Engines & parts
Universal Atomic 4 parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Atomic 4 (Universal)”
Tens of thousands were built (sources say from 40,000 to 50,000). Despite being out of production for decades, the engine is well supported: Moyer Marine sells parts, rebuilt engines, fuel pump rebuilds and exhaust parts, and hosts an owners' forum; Old Lyme Marina and others also supply parts, and electronic ignition upgrades are available.
Parts sources: Moyer Marine
Common problems (3)
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Raw-water cooling scale and corrosion cooling
Most Atomic 4s are raw-water cooled, so the block scales up and corrodes, especially in salt water; cranking without starting can also flood the engine with seawater through the exhaust.goodoldboat.com · moyermarineforum.com · keelindex.com
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Gasoline vapor fire/explosion risk fuel
Gasoline vapor is heavier than air and settles in the bilge, so ventilation, blower use and shutting the fuel valve (a stuck carburetor float can overflow) matter.goodoldboat.com
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Ignition and fuel system faults electrical
Points, condenser, cap and wires, plus gummed carburetors and contaminated fuel, are the most common reasons an Atomic 4 won't run well.keelindex.com · goodoldboat.com
Maker’s service schedule (9)
| Engine oil & filter change | 50 hrs | “3. FIFTY HOUR CHECK a. Using sump pump, remove all oil from crankcase. Refill with a good grade oil as specified in Tabl” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 50 hrs | “e. Clean fuel pump strainer.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Heat exchanger & oil cooler cleaning | 50 hrs | “b. Inspect oil cooler and remove any accumulation of grit or dirt.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Clean flame arrestor | 100 hrs | “b. Inspect flame arrestor to be sure air passages are clean and free from oil. If dirty remove and wash with kerosene.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Check clutch (reverse gear) adjustment | 100 hrs | “4. ONE HUNDRED HOUR CHECK ... c. Check adjustment of clutch.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 150 hrs or 1 yr | “5. ONE HUNDRED FIFTY HOUR CHECK a. Check valve tappet adjustment.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Spark plugs inspect / replace | 150 hrs | “b. Remove, clean, and reset spark plugs.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Transmission fluid change Universal V-drive unit (V-drive installations only; the standard reverse gear shares engine oil) | 500 hrs | “(2) After the first 50 hours of operation, drain unit and refill ... (3) Change lubricant every 500 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Complete overhaul | 3,000 hrs | “At the end of three thousand hours of operation the engine should be completely overhauled.” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
Service part numbers (8)
| Oil filter optional add-on oil filter (not standard equipment) |
Universal 276236 | “2 Element or Cartridge 1 276236 (Oil Group, Oil Filter, Not Standard Equipment)” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Raw-water impeller Oberdorfer N202M-03 / N202M-07 replacement raw-water pump (Universal pump 295625) |
Oberdorfer 6593 | “5 Impeller 6593 6593 6593 6593 6593 1 (N202M, N202M-03, N202M-07 parts list)” — manufacturer, pumpsandpartsonline.com · “Impeller : Catalog # 6593, Impeller” — dealer, pumpagents.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Oberdorfer N202M-03 / N202M-07 raw-water pump |
Oberdorfer 10725 | “REPAIR KIT N202M N202M-03 N202M-07 10725” — manufacturer, pumpsandpartsonline.com · “Catalog # 10725, Repair Kit, includes O-Ring, Snap Ring, Impeller, 2 x Lip Seal” — dealer, pumpagents.com |
| Drive belt alternator belt (Prestolite and Motorola alternators) |
Universal 239387 | “19 Belt 1 239387 (12 Volt - Motorola 51 Amp Alternator)” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Spark plug | Universal 273276 × 4 | “8 Spark plugs, champion 4 273276” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Thermostat late style, from 1967 / serial #79476 (Holley 145 F, on cylinder head) |
Universal 200206 | “12 Thermostat Kit 1 200206 consists of 262278 and 261601” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Thermostat Dole type, before serial #79476 (on manifold) |
Universal 200207 | “13 Kit, Thermostat (consists of 275965 & 261144) 1 200207” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
| Zinc / anode fresh-water-cooled engines only (Universal heat-exchanger kit) |
Universal 299760 | “23 zinc pencil 1 299760 (Cooling, Fresh Water System, after serial #79476)” — manufacturer, westerbeke.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Sources disagree on first year, last year, number built — left blank rather than guessed.
Steering
Edson — Pedestal chain-and-wire steering parts: good
Edson (New Bedford, MA) still sells service parts: chain-and-wire kits, sprockets, idlers, pull-pull conduit steering and internal pedestal parts, and keeps steering data sheets by boat model, many decades old.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (service parts)
Common problems (3)
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Old or slack steering wire steering
Edson advises replacing steering wire about every five years, checking tension with the wheel locked, and inspecting under load annually; owners often find decades-old stiff wire.usna.edu · youtube.com
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Lubrication and fastener checks steering
Chain, wire, sheaves and pedestal bearings need regular oiling or greasing, and clevis/cotter pins and bolts should be checked monthly to avoid failures.usna.edu
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Replacing engine control cables in the pedestal steering
Swapping throttle/shift cables inside an Edson pedestal is a common owner job requiring removal of the wheel shaft sprocket pin.forums.sailboatowners.com
Edson — Traditional geared steerers (worm / rack-and-pinion) parts: good
Edson says its traditional wheels and geared steerers are still available, now built with modern materials; rack-and-pinion steerers are offered for transom-hung and inboard rudders.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (traditional steerers)
Model sources (5)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · pearsonyachts.org · pearson35.com · dan.pfeiffer.net
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Other Pearson models
- Pearson 26 1970–1983
- Pearson 30 1971–1981
- Pearson 323 1976–1983
- Pearson 34 1983–1986
- Pearson 365 1976–1982
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.