pearson yacht portal

Pearson 323 Owners

Pearson yachts portal, p323 sailboat design, a brief design philosophy.

The Pearson 323 was produced by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island from 1976 through 1983. Although the exact number is unknown, it is believed that 385 or more were built. Designed by Bill Shaw and his team, as most Pearsons' were from the mid – 60's on.

The P323 bucked contemporary design trends of the time by being very focused on its designated purpose rather than following trends to meet IOR rules. In the mid 1970s, IOR rating rules influenced the design of many yacht from major builders like Catalina, Ericson and Islander. Many of the boat designs of this era represent a compromise in cruising attributes with the rule-beating design specifications of the IOR. The results were often less than desirable, sometimes yielding awkward looking and sailing yachts. As true innovators in fiberglass boat building, Pearson Yachts, as we knew it, closed in 1991. More history and references can be found at Pearson Yachts Portal from the main menu.

The Designer

Bill Shaw , the designer of the Pearson 323, had a remarkable career. He started working for Sparkman & Stephens in 1952, leaving in the early 1960's. While at S&S he was involved in the design of many famous yachts, including the America’s Cup defender, Columbia, as chief designer. In 1964 he was hired as chief naval architect for Pearson Yachts.

He later became general manager of Pearson Yachts and vice president of Grumman Allied Industries and continued to be Pearson’s chief naval architect. During his 27 years at Pearson, he and his team designed over 40 different boats.

Bill designed the 323 as a coastal cruiser without regard for the IOR ratings. He designed it for comfort, capability and style, targets that he seemingly hit. This is one of the reasons why the 323 and most other Pearson's are still being enjoyed, and treasured, by their owners today. With the 323 he set about to design an honest cruising boat with youthful ideas and an international flavor. See the words of Bill Shaw himself below in "the Boat"

Construction and Performance Details

The only rule to which she was designed was the personal rule of Bill Shaw ... that a boat should be safe, attractive, and a delight to sail. See interview on Bill's design philosophy in the mid-80's. Although not explicitly stated in any Pearson literature, the 323 target was the middle of the price market for this size boat. The money was spent on the structure and functional equipment rather than on the cosmetic bits. This resulted in a solid, thick fiberglass hull, good sailing characteristics and spacious accommodations. Although no speed demon, the 323 can move at 5 knots in an 8 knot breeze and will cruise near her hull speed as the wind climbs into double digit speeds. The 323 doesn't like to be overpowered, so aggressive use of the reefing systems will keep the boat comfortably moving at top speed.

You may be interested in what was going through my head when I was designing the new 323. In a nutshell... the young adults of America, to my way of thinking, are bringing an exiting new dimension to sailing. A dimension that reflects their attitudes - lifestyle, values and approach to their leisure time activities. Be it skiing, surfing, camping, canoeing, or sailing, the younger generation is doing things with a flair that cannot be denied. They're seeking quality, style, performance, informality, resale value, and no hassles. Then too, after a couple of my recent trips to the continent, I came away impressed with some of the international styling and innovation. Functional, pleasing touches that, in my opinion, deserved consideration. So I set about to design an honest cruising boat with youthful ideas and an international flavor. The 323's underbody configuration is as modern as her profile is traditional. To look fast is one thing. To go fast in comfort is quite another. After all, the water is only concerned with what it touches. The combination gave me a big, roomy 32-footer that really gets up and goes. But to look classic doesn't mean you have to leave out fresh ideas, so the 323 has a lot of refinements like a recessed anchor well forward, compartments aft for propane gas cylinders and 6-man life raft, a molded-in chart table, smoked windows, an accent stripe around the coachroof, and a number of other refinements both above and below decks that I consider real progress in both design and construction. Oh, one more thing. With the price of things today climbing the rigging, I had to develop some procedures that would maintain or improve our quality while holding or reducing costs. We did that too. So take a real close look at our new 323. She features the best of international design for today's young at heart.

Pearson Yachts Inc. - Circa 1977

The New Pearson 323...

Along with a delightful foreign accent, she's got what it takes to move you.

There is a changing attitude. It's reflected in people's flair for the good life and their approach to leisure activities. You see it expressed in the quality of their possessions. Fewer but better. Cars, skis, cameras, clothing, and boats that are built to stand up to their active lives and provide a fair return on their investment.

To this end the new Pearson 323 was designed to maximize cruising comfort and performance. A boat that is as much for après sail as it is for sailing itself. The 323 is different . Fresh and alive . Ready to be judged today for her innovations, and tomorrow for the accuracy of her predictions.

She has a distinct international flavor about her. Recessed anchor well in the foredeck, bulwarks, liferaft and propane stowage, smoked windows, and coachroof accent trim. Her cockpit has been human engineered as much for lounging under an awning as it was for leaning into it under a full spread of sail.

And belowdecks? The only way to describe this very big 32-footer is to compare her with that super feeling of a plush tufted quilt on a cold winter's night. Warm, tranquil, cosy. A lounge where the crackle of an après ski fire is replaced with the flicker of a kerosene lantern. Six berths, navigation center, aft galley, retractable vanity, hand rails, directional illumination. Even the kerosene lantern.

The new 323 is truly the result of superior thinking. The kind you've come to expect from Pearson

Come Sail With Us...

The more time one spends on a 323, the more one recognizes the more subtle elements of this thoughtful design. While she only draws about four-and-a-half feet of water, her ability to point isn't significantly compromised when sailing upwind. Many boats of this size with a displacement of 6.5 tons could be very slow and unresponsive, but the 323 benefits from the stability of large displacement while remaining lively under sail.

This is also one very roomy boat. Although she'll only sleep five (a starboard quarter berth was deleted from the original design in favor of the nav station), the roominess of the cabin and the two spacious cockpit lockers provide more usable space than most other 32-footers. Overall, it's a design that was well thought out and holds up very well today. How many other things from the 1970's can one say that about?

Pearson Yachts Portal

The Pearson 24 : 1968–1969

A racing hull built around beamier interior comfort.

Pure Pleasure

Exiting example of Pearson's new concept in sailing design — a racing hull built around beamier interior comfort. The Pearson 24 was designed for the budget-minded family who wants to enjoy the thrill of racing, the relaxation of day sailing or the freedom of cruising. She's 24 feet of pure pleasure, beautiful in line and thoughtfully conceived. The Pearson 24 fulfills all the requirements of energetic yachting families; truly a long-lived investment in wholesome recreation.

Pearson Yachts Inc. 1968

Pearson 24 On The Web

Pearson 24 Specifications - SailboatData.com

Pearson-Info - dan.pfeiffer.net

Pearson 24 Brochure

Click to enlarge

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

Pearson Yachts

Founded by cousins, Clinton and Everett Pearson. It was the 28’ TRITON sailing auxiliary that put the company ‘on the map’. Before this they had been using the newfangled fiberglass construction materials to build dinghies and small power boats. At the request of Tom Potter, who worked for American Boat Building, the Pearsons set out to built a sailing auxiliary that would sell for under $10,000. Designer Carl Alberg was assigned the task of drawing the lines. After building the first boat, the Pearsons had to borrow money in order to have it transported to the 1959 New York Boat Show. Before the show ended, they had deposits for 17 orders and the Pearsons took the company public that April. Sales stayed strong enough for the company to purchase the old Herreshoff Yard as an additional production site. In addition, a number of new models were introduced, again, mostly designed by Carl Alberg and the company was building nearly one boat a day. In order to finance further growth, the Pearsons tried to get approval for another stock offering but were not successful. In 1961, Grumman Allied Industries bought a controlling interest in Pearson Yachts in order gain a stake in the developing fiberglass technology. Pearson was considered a leader in the field at the time. Under the Grumman umbrella the company experienced stability and steady growth for a number of years. During this period, new models continued to be introduced, most also designed by Alberg. There was the ELECTRA, which had been added in 1960, and the ALBERG 35 introduced in 1961. Also by Alberg were that 26 foot ARIEL, and a 16’ HAWK. Soon afterward came the INVICTA, a 38-footer designed by William Tripp Jr., the first production fiberglass boat to win the Newport-to-Bermuda Race. The lineup at this time also included a few medium sized powerboats. In 1964, Grumman financed the construction of a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Portsmouth, R.I., and planned to move the company there the following year. At this time, the designer, William Shaw was hired as the Director of Design and Engineering. At the Portsmouth factory business was booming for Pearson Yachts and Grumman combined the sailboat company with its subsidiary that made aluminum canoes and truck bodies. But the Pearsons began to chafe at the Grumman corporate culture and they both decided to go their own separate ways. Clinton Pearson bought out Sailstar Boat Co.of West Warwick, R.I. and moved the assets to the factory in Bristol, RI. and created a new company called Bristol Yachts. Everett Pearson joined Neil Tillotson to form Tillotson-Pearson, Inc., (later TPI Composits) which became a major force in industrial uses of fiberglass-reinforced plastics and other, more exotic composites, with a product line including windmill blades, flag poles, subway cars, aquatic therapy pools, and J-Boats, among other sailboats and power boats. William Shaw was named general manager of the Pearson Yacht Division. Under Shaw’s leadership, Pearson Yachts continued it’s rapid growth during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. The product line continued to expand with new Shaw designed models up to 44 feet. In 1980, Grumman expanded the Portsmouth plant to 240,000 square feet and the company built ever larger yachts like the Pearson 530 which was the largest the company ever built. In March 1986, Grumman sold Pearson Yachts to a private investor group headed by Gordon Clayton. Clayton had also purchased the tooling and rights to built the LASER, SUNFISH, and the entire line of O’Day Corp. With the recession of 1990 the molds and trademarks were shuffled back and forth between a number of different entities. Grumman re-purchased all the assets and then promptly sold everything off in a bankruptcy sale. PEARSON HID (1972-): PEA CAL-PEARSON CORPORATION HID (1986-2003): KDG

Associations

• Alberg 35 User Group

Pearson 10M

• Sunfish (Int. Sunfish Class Association)
• Ensign Class - USA
• 210 Class Home Page (USA)
• Pearson 424 owners
• LaserPerformance
• Pearon Ariel
• Pearson 385 Owners
• Pearson Yacht Owners Portal
• Alexander Bryan/Cortland Heyniger/Carl Meinart
• Carl Alberg
• Doug Peterson
• Doug Peterson (hull/unauthorized)
• Doug Peterson (unauthorized)
• Gary Grossman/Steve Nichols
• John G. Alden
• Philip Rhodes
• Raymond Hunt (C.R. Hunt & Assoc.)
• Robert B. Harris
• William "Bill" Tritt
• William H. Tripp Jr.
• William Shaw

83 sailboats built by Pearson Yachts

Pearson Ensign

Pearson Ariel 26

Pearson Vanguard 33

Pearson Electra

Pearson Commander 26

Pearson 26 Weekender

Pearson 424 Ketch

Pearson 424 Cutter

Pearson Wanderer 30

Pearson Renegade 27

Pearson Lark 24

Pearson Countess 44

Pearson Rhodes 41

Pearson 36 Cutter

Pearson 422

Pearson 36 Pilot House

Pearson 390

Invicta (Tripp)

Invicta II (Tripp)

Pearson Packet

Pearson 36-2

Pearson 33-2

Grumman dinghy.

Pearson Triton

Grumman Flyer

Pearson 23C

Pearson 37-2

Pearson hawk 16.

Pearson 34-2

Pearson rhodes 41 yawl.

Pearson 28 (1975-80)

Independence 20.

Pearson 365

Pearson 21 (Triton 21)

Pearson 419.

Pearson 323

Pearson 530

Pearson resolute 20.

Pearson 27 (Triton 27)

Pearson 300

Pearson 39-2

Pearson 28 (1980-82), pearson 26 (one-design), triton (pearson) yawl.

Pearson 365 Ketch

Pearson 303

Pearson petrel 12.

Pearson Coaster 30

Pearson 28-2

Pearson 386

Pearson 31-2

Pearson Flyer

Pearson 385

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Forums New posts Unanswered threads Register Top Posts Email
• What's new New posts New Posts (legacy) Latest activity New media
• Media New media New comments
• Boat Info Downloads Weekly Quiz Topic FAQ 10000boatnames.com
• Classifieds Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale
• Parts General Marine Parts Hunter Beneteau Catalina MacGregor Oday
• Help Terms of Use Monday Mail Subscribe Monday Mail Unsubscribe
• Brand-Specific Forums

Sticky threads

• Oct 1, 2011

• Feb 24, 2011

Normal threads

• Jul 15, 2024

• Nov 2, 2023
• May 27, 2024
• Mar 27, 2024

• Mar 18, 2024
• The_Sailing_Pelican
• Jan 21, 2024

• Jon Elliott
• Aug 27, 2023

• Jeff Miller
• Nov 29, 2023

• Dec 16, 2015
• Aug 12, 2023

• Jul 31, 2023
• Jul 24, 2023
• Sep 30, 2020
• May 2, 2023
• Oct 29, 2020

• Mar 29, 2023

• Island Pilot
• Jun 20, 2019

• Dec 21, 2022

• ChrisHunter
• Sep 12, 2022

• WanderingOnTheWay
• Aug 24, 2020

• This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more…

For test owners

For test centers

Shop learning products

To schedule, reschedule and cancel exam:

• Forgot my username
• Forgot my password
• Find a test center
• Find a test center on a military base
• Test accommodations

The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)

The U.S. Department of State strongly encourages candidates to use a personal email address to which they will have regular, long-term access throughout the hiring process. Please consider this carefully before using a .edu or other email that may be attached to any current student or employee roles. Please also note the Department of State will communicate with candidates via the email address they provide at the time of original application and failure to respond by established deadlines may result in the Department of State discontinuing a candidate’s application. Candidates who are current U.S. government employees may not use their U.S. government email addresses for the Foreign Service application, testing, and assessment process.

The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is an important part of the FSO selection process, covering the job knowledge, English expression and situational judgement necessary to work as a Foreign Service Officer. The FSOT also includes an essay. View complete information on the  FSOT and the selection process .

Please note:  New candidates must  create a web account  before they can submit an application.

FSOT At-Home Online Proctored Testing (OnVUE)

Before the exam

• Visit the FSOT Online Proctoring page and review information on exam policies and procedures, system requirements, and the System Test.
• It is very important to complete the required System Test on the same computer, in the same location, and at the same time as your exam appointment so the System Test can accurately read the computer’s connectivity in that location and timeframe.
• Corporate, university, and military firewalls often cause issues while trying to take your exam. We strongly recommend taking your exam in a setting without an institutional firewall.
• Review the identification requirements below

On exam day

Showing Up : We ask that you log into your Pearson VUE account 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to start the check-in process and to allow for any troubleshooting. If you click on the “Begin Exam” button more than 15 minutes after your scheduled exam time, you will be considered a No Show and are unlikely to receive a refund.

Identification : Please be prepared to show one (1) valid form of unexpired, Government-issued personal ID. The Government-issued ID must have your signature and must have your photo. The name on the exam registration in the Pearson VUE system must match the name on the Government issued ID exactly. Please verify that your name listed on your confirmation email matches your identification.  *If your identification is not considered valid, you will not be permitted to complete your exam and are unlikely to receive a refund.*

Examples of acceptable identification:

• Driver’s license
• Military ID (including spouse and dependent)
• Identification card (national or local)
• Registration card (such as green card, permanent resident, visa)

Please note that we are unable to accept the following ID’s for an online proctored exam:

• Renewal forms with expired ID’s
• Government-issued name change documents with Government ID

Personal Belongings : FSOT exams are closed-book exams. No personal items should be in the testing room. This includes all bags, purses, wallets, reference materials of any kind (books, notes or papers, etc.), electronic devices except for your cell phone (no tablets, PDAs, watches, calculators, etc.), writing instruments, food, beverages, etc.

Please note that you are required to have a clean and clutter free workstation. During check in, the Proctor will ask you to perform a room and desk scan using your phone or webcam and will inspect any materials near your workstation.

Logging into your Pearson VUE account:

• Login to your  Pearson VUE Account
• Click on the Schedule/Reschedule my FSOT
• Click “Begin Exam” and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the check-in process
• Important : the “Begin Exam” button will show up 30 minutes before your exam appointment and will remain available until 15 minutes after your exam appointment. If the “Begin Exam” button is not visible, you are either too early or too late for your exam. Please check your appointment details to make sure you’re trying to start at the proper time.
• During the check-in process, you will be asked for your phone number so Pearson VUE staff can communicate with you while you are checking in for your exam. You will be asked to take a photo on your phone of yourself, your ID, and 4 photos of your room. The check-in process takes approximately 15 minutes for candidates who have previously completed a system test. After you have completed the check-in process, you will be asked to place your phone out of reach, but close enough to be heard.
• Once you have completed the check-in process you will be contacted by a Proctor to begin your exam at your appointment time. You may not be contacted by the Proctor before your appointment time to start the exam.

Facial Comparison Policy

You understand and agree that Pearson VUE may use facial comparison technology for the purpose of verifying your identity during the testing process. It will compare your facial image to the one on your identification and to facial images captured during the testing process and help us further develop, upgrade, and improve this application. If you do not agree to the use of facial comparison technology during your testing session, do not accept this term. You will not be able to complete your registration online. Instead, please call the Pearson VUE call center to complete your registration.

Reporting Unusual Circumstances : Significant and unusual circumstances that occur during the testing process should be reported immediately to the Pearson VUE exam proctor so an incident report can be filed. If you are unable to communicate with the proctor you are required to notify Person VUE ASAP. 

Reschedule Policy

Rescheduling an exam appointment can be done in your  Pearson VUE account  24/7 or by calling Pearson VUE at  (888) 572-2276 Mon-Fri, 7-7 Central . You can reschedule your OnVue exam right up to the scheduled appointment time at no cost. If you do not reschedule your appointment before the scheduled appointment time and do not take the exam, it will be considered a No Show and you will forfeit your entire exam fee.

Cancellation Policy

Canceling an exam appointment can be done in your  Pearson VUE account  24/7 or by calling Pearson VUE at  (888) 572-2276 Mon-Fri, 7-7 Central . You can cancel your OnVue exam right up to the scheduled appointment time at no cost. If you do not cancel your appointment before the scheduled appointment time and do not take the exam, it will be considered a No Show and you will forfeit your entire exam fee.

No Shows : Failure to appear for an exam forfeits the entire exam fee, unless documentation of extenuating circumstances is provided within 10 days, such as: death in the family, serious illness, or military duty. In such circumstances, the candidate should email the State Department at  [email protected]  as soon as possible, providing documentation and a full description of the situation.

Exam Canceled by Pearson VUE : In the event of an unforeseen circumstance occurring on the day of a scheduled exam, candidates will be given as much advance notice as possible and will not be penalized if Pearson VUE cancels their exam appointment.

For more information on OnVUE : please visit  gov.pearsonvue.com/fsot/onvue

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, the U.S. Department of State requires that each candidate be:

• A U.S. citizen on the date the candidate submits the registration package
• At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day the candidate submits the registration
• At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day the candidate is appointed as a Foreign Service Officer
• Open to acceptance of assignments based on the needs of the service

Registering for the FSOT

Candidates complete both registration steps - submitting an application and selecting a seat - during the same five-week period immediately prior to a specific testing window. Applications are valid only for that test and will expire when that testing window closes. The registration period closes three days prior to the opening of the testing window.

If you have a documented need for an accommodation, you must  request and receive approval  for your accommodation before scheduling your test.

Once an application for a test window is submitted it cannot be changed, and candidates may test only once in a 12-month period.  Click here for answers to General FSOT FAQs .

Upcoming Foreign Service Officer Testing Windows

This chart contains relevant dates for upcoming Foreign Service Officer Test. As a reminder you will be able to register – apply and select a seat – for approximately five weeks before each testing window (dates subject to change).

October 2024

February 2025

*The FSOT is offered at both domestic and overseas locations.

As a part of the registration process, all candidates will be asked to complete their Personal Narratives (PNs). Candidates will be asked to address the following six areas: Leadership Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Management Skills, Intellectual Skills, and Substantive Knowledge. Each of the six PNs will consist of no more than 1,300 characters. Beginning with the June 2022 FSOT, all candidates who complete the FSOT will proceed to the qualifications and evaluation panel for review.

Pearson VUE On Base Test Centers (OBTC) to Offer the FSOT

The Foreign Service Officer Test is offered at approximately 130 OBTC locations on U.S. military installations in U.S states and territories, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The OBTCs will add additional appointment options during each testing window for those candidates with access to the included military bases.

Click here to learn more about on base testing at Pearson VUE »

Use of Overseas Pearson VUE Testing sites

The Board of Examiners has expanded the number of Pearson VUE testing sites for the FSOT both domestically and overseas. Embassies/Consulates located in other cities may continue to offer the test as their resources permit. Candidates testing in locations outside the U.S. must use their U.S. passports for identification verification.

Please click on  find a testing center  to find the closest site available.

Plagiarism & AI Policy

• The Department of State prohibits candidates from plagiarizing any portion of their employment application materials to include responses to questions in which candidates must provide a narrative response.  Candidates must create their own responses originally and not copy or adapt them from other sources. The Department analyzes candidate submissions for plagiarism and will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this plagiarism policy. 
• While the Department of State encourages candidates to create their narratives with great care, including correct use of grammar and style, candidates are prohibited from using any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, to include but not limited to ChatGPT, to aid in their written responses.  The Department will discontinue any individual’s candidacy if found to have violated this prohibition on use of AI tools in the application process.

Find more information on a rewarding career in the  Foreign Service . If you have specific questions about the Foreign Service Officer Test you may send them to  [email protected] .

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 minutes per response, including time required for searching existing data sources, gathering the necessary documentation, providing the information and/or documents required, and reviewing the final collection. You do not have to supply this information unless this collection displays a currently valid OMB control number. If you have comments on the accuracy of this burden estimate and/or recommendations for reducing it, please send them to: HR/REE, SA-1, H-518. 2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC, 20522.

OMB Approval Number: 1405-0008 Expiration Date: 3/31/2021

AUTHORITIES: The information is sought pursuant to 301(b) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, as amended (22 U.S.C. § 3941(b)).

PURPOSE: The information solicited on this form will be used to determine eligibility to take the Foreign Service Officer Test, to register for the Foreign Service Officer Test, to assess qualifications for selection as a Foreign Service Officer, and to ensure the integrity of the examination process.

ROUTINE USES: The information solicited on this form may be made available to prepare statistical reports and analyses at the Department of State. Such reports and analyses, which are prepared in such a way that they are not individually identifiable, may be shared outside the Department. This information may also be shared with other federal agencies in response to request for information about hiring or retention of an employee or to Members of Congress in response to an inquiry on behalf of the applicant. More information on the Routine Uses for the system can be found in the System of Records Notice State-31, Human Resource Records.

DISCLOSURE: Providing this information is voluntary. Failure to provide the information requested on this form may result in the user’s inability to submit appropriate responses to the FSOT questionnaire and/or the FSOT and oral exam.

Related links

• U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) website
• Non-Disclosure/Conduct Policy Statement (PDF)
• What to expect in a Pearson VUE test center
• Online Practice FSOT

Office hours

Telephone numbers.

• 866-389-8339 (toll-free)
• +1-201-366-9530 (toll)