Welcome to Pearson Yachts

Sea Trial : True North 33
By The Editors

With the introduction of the True North 38, Pearson Yachts struck a resonant chord with active boaters. It was the nautical equivalent of an upscale SUV, a boat that combined the sweet lines of a custom day cruiser with the robust durability and sea-kindly utility of a Down East lobster boat.

The company's new 33-footer continues the True North tradition, providing a versatile and efficient platform for aquatic adventures mild or wild. In the Pearson tradition, it also blends classic styling with innovative and cutting-edge construction techniques that allow the builder to offer a premium product at an attractive price.

With its plumb bow, low-profile pilothouse and tumble-home stern that culminates in a reverse transom, the 33 makes a strong visual statement. But there are practical reasons for the design that go beyond dock appeal. The transom incorporates a pair of full-width doors which, when open, turn the cockpit into an extended swim platform. It also allows a dinghy to be pulled on board in preparation for a crossing.

By positioning the galley and dinette settee in the airy, upper cabin, the designers have turned the pilothouse into the boat's social center. The open design also provides the helmsman with excellent all-around visibility. Because the forepeak area is not required to house a miniscule galley, there is ample room for a pair of adult-size V-berths and a comfortable head compartment. Large opening ports and hatches are strategically positioned throughout the cabin to provide optimum ventilation.

Appointments throughout the boat are designed for utility, comfort and durability. Notably absent are the frilly details and bright accessories that create an impression at boat shows but can't withstand the realities of life afloat. Instead, the builder has opted for a low-maintenance interior with wood accents that add warmth without sacrificing practicality.

The full-width engine room located under the pilothouse salon easily accommodates the centerline diesel power plant, leaving plenty of elbow room for routine maintenance and access to all ship's systems.

The functionality of the layout and outfitting are immediately obvious to anyone boarding the 33. Equally important, but less visible to the casual observer, is the underlying quality. To fully appreciate

this feature, it's necessary to visit their factory-which Pearson enthusiastically encourages.

TPI, the parent company behind the True North, has long been known not only for quality builds, but also for innovative use of composite materials. The company's J boat line is well known to the sailing community, and the Rampage name remains legendary in offshore sportfishing circles.

The company's most highly touted technology is its proprietary SCRIMP resin infusion system, which allows precise control of all variables of the lamination process. The result is boats that are both stronger and lighter than boats built using traditional open-mold fiberglass lay-up techniques. For example, a seasoned hand laminator working under ideal conditions may be able to produce a finished product with a resinto-glass ratio of 60-to-40. By contrast, the SCRIMP process achieves a uniform 30-70 ratio.

Another area of manufacturing in which Pearson excels is plant efficiency. This process extends to such details as the precise robotic cutting and part numbering of each fiberglass piece, the assembling of all components into centralized parts kits, and the insistence that all tools and parts be organized by work stations.

These seemingly small details can add up to significant savings in labor costs, as workers are not wasting expensive build time searching for missing wrenches or misplaced fittings.

A SECOND OPINION

One of the first buyers of Pearson's new True North 33 was Herbert "Skip" Barlow, who describes it as a boat that "just makes sense."

A lifelong sailor with 23 years in the Navy, Barlow knows his boats. He has his too-ton captain's license and has spent considerable time delivering vessels all along the East Coast and throughout the Caribbean.

"I cruised extensively in my 48-foot DeFever, which I bought after relocating to Florida in 1990," says the retired lawyer, "but I realized that this vessel is much more practical for our lifestyle. I can load up my family, shoot over to the beach and drop the grandkids off on any shallow-water shoreline so they can play."

"The layout is perfect for weekend cruising or even popping over to the Bahamas," he adds."Its layout is as functional as any I've seen. The double transom doors are a blessing for landing fish, swimming or just jumping off to wade ashore for a picnic."

Barlow's boat is equipped with the 440-hp Yanmar option, which provides sustainable cruising speeds in the 20-knot range, and a bow thruster to facilitate docking."The design is amazing," he says. "She throws less wake at 19 knots than some boats at idle speed."

Cost savings realized from manufacturing efficiencies are passed along to the customer, which means Pearson can offer a premium product at a competitive price. A factory-direct sale approach offers further savings: Potential buyers can preview a boat at one of the company's three regional offices Rhode Island, Maryland and California - and order it directly from the builder.

By combining innovative design with timeless styling, and infusing solid doses of practicality and quality, the True North 33 should deliver on its promise of low-effort, high-return ownership.

Specifications

LOA: 33'4"

Beam: 12'4"

Draft: 3'4"

Air Draft: 7'6" with mast down

Fuel Capacity: 200 gallons

Power: 370-hp Yanmar (440-hp option)

Information: 401-247-3000

True North Yachts with Pearson composite, a yacht builder & manufacturer headquartered in Warren Rhode Island, builds power, cruiser, & motor yachts. True North's current line of the tn34, tn38, and tn47 provides a unique and refreshing alternative for power boaters. The True North platform is both stylish and smart ... new thinking based on how people realistically use their boats & luxury motor yachts today.