1981 Pearson 42'
12.80 m1981 Pearson 42' 424
1981 Pearson 424
42' (12.80 m) PANACEA
Well-equipped Pearson 424 cruising ketch with extensive 2021-2026 upgrades, approximately 1,138 engine hours, new canvas, solar, updated rigging and a clean cruising interior in St. Marys, Georgia.
Flag of Registry: United States
Port of Registry: Washington,NC
| FEATURES: |
|---|
| New 2026 Dodger & Bimini |
| Standing Rigging Renewed 2021 |
| Solar, Inverter & Updated Electrical |
| Major Engine and Transmission Service |
| Two-Cabin Center-Cockpit Layout |
| Notable Upgrades: Exterior, Deck & Rigging New Maxwell windlass – 2021 New Rocna 25 anchor – 2023 New 200 feet of G4 anchor chain – 2021 New standing rigging – 2021 New halyards – 2021 New Dyneema lifelines – 2021 New aluminum mast step – 2021 New Martek davits – 2022 New masthead light – 2022 New wind vane – 2022 Exterior lighting converted to LED – 2022 New solar panels and solar controller – 2021 New 2,000-watt inverter – 2021 New dodger and bimini – 2026 Interior, Electrical & Cruising Systems New refrigerator / icebox compressor and evaporator coil – 2021 New freshwater pump – 2021 New bilge pump – 2021 New shower sump – 2021 New settee cushions – 2022 New Trojan house battery bank – 2021 New dedicated windlass batteries – 2021 New chartplotter – 2021 New VHF radio – 2022 Dometic marine toilet Dual solar charging system Shore-power system and 2,000-watt inverter Engine & Drivetrain Improvements New engine starter – 2021 New alternator – 2021 Fuel injection pump rebuilt – 2021 Fuel injectors rebuilt – 2021 Transmission rebuilt – 2021 Approximately 1,138 indicated engine hours Clean, accessible engine compartment with practical service access |
Description
CENTER-COCKPIT CRUISING KETCH
St. Marys, Georgia | Stored Ashore | Approximately 1,138 Engine Hours
A proven Pearson 424 with extensive owner improvements since 2020, new 2026 canvas, updated rigging
and ground tackle, solar charging, refreshed cruising systems, and a clean three-cabin interior designed for
serious coastal or offshore use.
LOA42'
LOA Inch4''
LOA12.90''
Beam13'
Draft Max Feet5'
Draft Max Inch2''
Draft Min Feet5'
Draft Min Inch2''
Fuel Tank (Gallons)80
Fuel Tank (Liters)302.83
Fresh Water (Gallons)170
Fresh Water (Liters)643.52
TypeSail
ConditionUsed
Specifications
PANACEA
42'4" (12.90 Meters)
Sail-Used
1981
33'6"
5'2"
5'2"
3
6
7.7 Knots
Diesel
Fiberglass
Gelcoat
Monohull
80 Gallons (302.83 Liters)
170 Gallons (643.52 Liters)
22000
22000
William Shaw
Pearson Yachts
Engines
Engine 1
- Engine Make: Westerbeak
- ModelEngine Model: FKF53
- YearEngine Year: 1981
- Engine TypeEngine Type: Inboard
- Drive TypeDrive Type: Direct
- Power HPPower HP: 53.00
- Power KWPower KW: 39.52
- Fuel TypeFuel Type: Diesel
- HoursHours: 1140.00
- Engine LocationEngine Location: Middle
- Hours DateHours Date: 07-08-2026
Multimedia
Full Details
Overview
Beginning in 2020 the owner concentrated on practical cruising upgrades rather than
cosmetic changes. The result is a clean Pearson 424 that offers comfortable
accommodations, updated systems and the classic sailing characteristics for which the
model is known.
Vessel Highlights
• New 2026 dodger and bimini
• Dual solar panels
• Updated refrigeration
• Raymarine autopilot and navigation equipment
• Updated anchor and ground tackle
• Approx. 1,138 engine hours
• Dinghy included
• Spacious aft cabin and salon
This 1981 Pearson 424 represents one of Pearson Yachts’ most respected long-range cruising designs. Designed by
William Shaw, the 424 combines a Aft Cabin layout, substantial displacement, a manageable divided sail plan and genuine
liveaboard accommodations. The current owner concentrated on practical reliability and cruising capability, completing a long list
of improvements beginning in 2021 rather than relying on superficial cosmetic work.
The result is an honest, well-equipped cruising platform with renewed standing rigging, upgraded ground tackle, solar
charging, updated navigation equipment, extensive engine and transmission work, refreshed interior systems and
brand-new 2026 dodger and bimini. She is stored ashore at St. Marys Boat Services and needs final bottom preparation and
antifouling paint before launching.
Principal Specifications
Principal Specifications
Builder Pearson Yachts Model Pearson 424
Year 1981 Designer William Shaw
Hull Fiberglass displacement hull Rig Aft Cabin ketch
LOA 42 ft 4 in Beam 13 ft 0 in
Draft Approx. 5 ft 3 in Displacement Approx. 22,000 lb
Fuel Approx. 80 gal Fresh Water Approx. 170 gal
REDMOND BOATS & YACHTS | REDMOND ELITE YACHTBROKER.ORG LISTING
Holding Tank Approx. 30 gal Engine Hours Approx. 1,138
Location St. Marys, Georgia Status Stored ashore
Major Owner Improvements
Exterior, Deck & Rigging
New Maxwell windlass – 2021
New Rocna 25 anchor – 2023
New 200 feet of G4 anchor chain – 2021
New standing rigging – 2021
New halyards – 2021
New Dyneema lifelines – 2021
New aluminum mast step – 2021
New Martek davits – 2022
New masthead light – 2022
New wind vane – 2022
Exterior lighting converted to LED – 2022
New solar panels and solar controller – 2021
New 2,000-watt inverter – 2021
New dodger and bimini – 2026
Interior, Electrical & Cruising Systems
New refrigerator / icebox compressor and evaporator coil – 2021
New freshwater pump – 2021
New bilge pump – 2021
New shower sump – 2021
New settee cushions – 2022
New Trojan house battery bank – 2021
New dedicated windlass batteries – 2021
New chartplotter – 2021
New VHF radio – 2022
Dometic marine toilet
Dual solar charging system
Shore-power system and 2,000-watt inverter
Engine & Drivetrain Improvements
New engine starter – 2021
New alternator – 2021
Fuel injection pump rebuilt – 2021
Fuel injectors rebuilt – 2021
Transmission rebuilt – 2021
Approximately 1,138 indicated engine hours
Clean, accessible engine compartment with practical service access
Hull, Deck & Cockpit
Hull, Deck & Cockpit
The center-cockpit arrangement creates a secure working cockpit while separating the forward living area from the private aft
cabin. Wide side decks provide good fore-and-aft access. The anchoring system has been modernized with a Maxwell windlass,
Rocna 25 anchor and 200 feet of G4 chain. Dyneema lifelines, renewed standing rigging, updated halyards and a replacement
aluminum mast step address meaningful age-related refit items. Martek davits provide stern tender storage, while the new 2026
dodger and bimini improve weather protection and showing appeal.
Rigging & Sail Handling
Rigging & Sail Handling
The divided ketch sail plan is well suited to shorthanded cruising because sail area can be balanced and reduced in stages as
conditions change. Standing rigging and halyards were renewed in 2021, with a replacement mast step completed that year. A
new masthead light and wind vane were added in 2022. The complete sail inventory, sailmakers, ages and condition should be
confirmed during inspect
Helm, Navigation & Communications
Helm, Navigation & Communications
Updated chartplotter – 2021
VHF radio – 2022
Raymarine autopilot observed during walkthrough
Raymarine compass
Updated masthead wind instrumentation
LED exterior lighting
Protected center-cockpit helm layout
Electrical & Charging Systems
Electrical & Charging Systems
Electrical upgrades support marina use and cruising independence. The vessel has dual solar panels and a replacement solar
controller installed in 2021, a 2,000-watt inverter, Trojan house battery bank and dedicated windlass batteries. Exterior lighting
was converted to LED in 2022. Exact battery capacity, charger specifications and shore-power configuration should be verified
during survey.
Galley
The galley is arranged for extended cruising with a large insulated refrigerator / icebox, substantial cabinetry and useful working
space. The refrigeration compressor and evaporator coil were replaced in 2021. The layout provides practical food preparation
and storage without isolating the cook from the main salon.
Layout & Accommodations
Layout & Accommodations
Below deck, the 424 offers the volume and separation that made the model popular with cruising couples and liveaboards. The
interior presents with traditional teak joinery, generous headroom and abundant storage throughout.
Private aft cabin separated from the main salon
Forward stateroom / V-berth
Large main salon with replacement settee cushions from 2022
Multiple sleeping areas for owners and guests
Large enclosed head with Dometic marine toilet
Separate sit-down shower area with replacement shower sump
Substantial hanging lockers, drawers and cruising storage
Large galley refrigeration box with updated mechanical components
Plumbing & Domestic Systems
Freshwater pump replaced – 2021
Bilge pump replaced – 2021
Shower sump replaced – 2021
Dometic marine toilet
Approximate factory freshwater capacity of 170 gallons
Approximate factory holding capacity of 30 gallons
Tender & Davits
A dinghy is included and is carried at the stern using Martek davits installed in 2022. Dinghy manufacturer, model, year,
dimensions, outboard details and title status should be confirmed before publication of the final equipment inventory.
Condition & Commissioning Notes
The vessel is presented honestly and remains stored ashore. The bottom requires routine final preparation and fresh
antifouling paint before launch. Interior woodwork, cabinetry and machinery access appeared clean and serviceable during the
walkthrough. Cushions were protected while stored. Buyers should verify sail condition, rigging documentation, tank condition,
deck moisture, seacocks, through-hulls, electronics and all mechanical systems through an independent survey and sea trial.
Broker’s Observations
This is not an untouched 45-year-old sailboat. The owner has invested in the expensive, practical systems that matter to a
cruising buyer: standing rigging, mast step, anchoring equipment, batteries, solar, inverter, refrigeration, pumps, electronics,
canvas, engine accessories and transmission service. Those improvements create a stronger story than lower-priced original-
condition boats that may still require substantial refit work.
The ideal buyer will appreciate proven design, center-cockpit privacy, a manageable ketch rig, substantial tankage and the ability
to continue outfitting the boat to personal cruising plans. She should be marketed as a capable and thoughtfully improved cruising
boat—not as a cosmetically restored yacht and not as a project boat—while clearly disclosing that bottom preparation and launch
commissioning remain to be completed.
Showing & Contact
Located at St. Marys Boat Services in St. Marys, Georgia. Advance appointments are requested. Complete photographs,
walkthrough video and additional owner records are available through Redmond Boats & Yachts.
Listing Broker: Larry Redmond, Redmond Boats & Yachts LLC
Phone / Text: 904-206-0719
Website: RedmondYachts.com
Disclaimer: Specifications, equipment, dates and capacities are believed accurate but are not guaranteed. Prospective buyers and their agents
should independently verify all information and inspect the vessel through qualified marine surveyors and technicians. Personal property and loose
equipment are included only when specifically stated in the final purchase agreement.
Contact
For more information about this yacht, please contact Larry Redmond We look forward to working with you!
For more information about this yacht, please contact Larry Redmond. We look forward to working with you!
For more information about this yacht, please contact Larry Redmond.


