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Pearson Yachts’ True North 38
reintroduced us to the Pearson family tradition of innovation, practicality,
and value in powerboats. To our delight, another family member is about
to turn in an encore performance. The new True North 33, "baby sister"
to the 38, made its debut at the 2003 Annapolis Boat Show, giving those
interested in no-nonsense family cruising a new entry point into the Pearson
range.
At the helm of Pearson Yachts is Mark Pearson who conceived of the True
North series as waterborne SUVs for the modern cruising family. The True
North 33 is no miniaturized 38 though. Pearson was determined to endow
the 33 with the same performance and practicality of her counterpart,
the True North 38.
The New True North 33 - The Latest
Waterborne SUV
Like any good SUV, the True North 33 fits enough gear
to fill every day with enough activities to leave any captain (or his
attention-span-free kids) exhausted by sundown. Throw the dinghy in the
cockpit, the kayaks and canoes on the deckhouse roof, add a couple of
bikes, some fishing or snorkeling gear, and everyone still has a comfortable
perch while underway.
With the vast cockpit just steps away from the helm, galley, and on deck
saloon, the only reason to go below during the day is to catch a nap in
the ample V-berths or use the spacious head and stall shower. Opening
ports and a large overhead hatch stave off stuffiness, making for well
ventilated accommodations below.
Flexibility and Functional Design
for Family Cruising
The small but important touches that adorn the cockpit
consistently reveal Pearson’s focus on flexible and functional design.
The dual-function seat and convertible dinette table are but two examples.
When lowered, the seat is the forward section of the dinette, but with
the flip of a switch, an electro-hydraulic lift adjusts it to serve as
the backrest for a two-place companion seat next to the helm. The table
lowers to form the center section of the dinette birth.
In order to load and unload all of the gear that
the True North can accommodate, Pearson has again proved its thoughtfulness
by integrating a pair of wide “clam shell” transom doors. These doors
not only make dinghy launch and recovery a snap, but also turn the cockpit
into one gigantic swimming platform.
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