1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at marina, featuring white hull and rigging.

Sailboat "Peregrine" docked at marina, Pearson 424 model, 1979.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked, named "Peregrine," in a marina under clear blue skies.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at marina, featuring green sails and white hull.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with tall mast against clear blue sky at marina.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at marina under clear blue sky.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at a marina, surrounded by calm water and other boats.

Masts of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat against a clear blue sky.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at marina, featuring green sail cover.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at marina with green trim and fenders.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked, featuring a clean deck and green sail cover.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat deck with hatches and rigging in marina setting.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked, featuring green sail cover and clear blue sky.

Sailboat docked at marina, Pearson 424 model, 1979, with green sail cover.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat cockpit with ropes and marina background.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked, showcasing deck and rigging details.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat cockpit with green cover, docked in a marina.

Steering wheel of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with Garmin navigation system.

Steering wheel and compass on a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat cockpit.

Garmin navigation system on 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, featuring thruster controls.

Control panel on a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with GPS and thruster controls.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at marina, featuring white deck and green sail cover.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at marina with green sail covers.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at a marina, featuring green sails and a white hull.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked at a marina, featuring green canvas covers.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with green covers docked by the water.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat deck with green canopy and docked boats in background.

Sailboat docked at marina, Pearson 424 model, 1979, with sails furled, clear blue sky.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat docked, with sails furled, under clear blue sky.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat deck view at marina, showcasing rigging and hatches.

1979 Pearson 424 sailboat deck with closed hatch and visible hardware.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden flooring and quilted bedding.

Cozy cabin bed with quilt and pillows in 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat.

Navigation station inside a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, featuring wooden interior and control panels.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden flooring and cabinetry.

Cozy cabin interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with books and quilted bedding.

Cozy cabin interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with quilted bedding.

Navigation station inside a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, featuring control panels and storage.

Electrical control panel on a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, featuring AC and DC power controls.

Electrical compartment of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with cables and equipment.

Interior of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden flooring and cozy seating.

Interior view of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden paneling and cozy furnishings.

Interior of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden finishes and cozy seating.

Interior of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wood paneling and cozy seating.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden finishes and white seating.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wood paneling and cozy seating area.

1979 Pearson 424 yacht kitchen with stove, wooden cabinetry, and dual sink.

1979 Pearson 424 yacht galley with wooden cabinets, dual sinks, and compact appliances.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden cabinetry and compact kitchen area.

Built-in storage compartment on a 1979 Pearson 424 boat, containing water bottles.

Interior of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with cozy seating and wooden accents.

Cozy interior of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden accents and cushioned seating.

1979 Pearson 424 yacht bathroom with sink, shower, and porthole window.

1979 Pearson 424 yacht bathroom with toilet, sink, mirror, and window.

1979 Pearson 424 boat bathroom with sink, mirror, and toilet paper holder.

1979 Pearson 424 boat bathroom with toilet and plumbing details.

1979 Pearson 424 yacht bathroom with toilet, towel, and tissue holder.

Shower area in a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with cleaning supplies.

Shower area in a 1979 Pearson 424 boat with cleaning supplies and a bucket.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden ladder and tools.

Cozy cabin interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with quilted bedding and wooden cabinetry.

Cozy cabin interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with colorful quilted bedding.

Cozy cabin interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with bed and sink.

1979 Pearson 424 yacht cabin interior with wooden cabinetry and colorful quilted bedding.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with wooden finishes and cozy seating area.

Interior of 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with cozy seating and wooden finishes.

Interior of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with cozy seating and wooden finishes.

Engine compartment of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat with visible fire extinguisher.

Engine compartment of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, showcasing hoses and mechanical components.

Engine compartment of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, featuring detailed mechanical components.

Engine compartment of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, showing mechanical components and wiring.

Engine compartment of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, showing hoses and alternator.

Engine compartment of a 1979 Pearson 424 sailboat, showcasing mechanical components and fuel filter.

1978 Pearson 424

Name: 1978 Pearson 424
Brand: Pearson
Price: 49455 USD
Availability: InStock

| 42'

Grand Rivers, KY 42045

$49,455

829 Views

30 Saves

Engine

Cummins

Total Power

56hp

Engine Hours

Class

Ketch

Length

42ft

Year

1978

Model

424

Capacity

What Owners Say

Pearson 424 owners consistently value its capable cruising character and comfortable liveaboard feel, and this example supports that with two cabins, one head, and generous onboard tankage. The ketch rig is a favorite for balanced sail handling and versatile passage-making, a trait that fits this boat’s classic offshore-minded design. Fiberglass construction adds to the sense of durability and long-term confidence that owners often appreciate in this class. The Cummins diesel auxiliary is another welcome feature for dependable motoring when conditions call for it. With its practical cruising layout and well-rounded equipment, this boat stands out as a thoughtful choice for extended time aboard.

Owner Highlights

Liveaboard

Ketch Rig

Fiberglass

Diesel Auxiliary

Cruising

Boat Details

Description

1978 Pearson 424 Ketch

This 1978 Pearson 424 Ketch is a well-equipped example of William Shaw’s respected cruising design. The Pearson 424 was conceived from the outset as a serious cruising yacht, combining a substantial fiberglass hull, fin keel, skeg-hung rudder, generous 13' beam, and approximately 21,000-pound displacement with the accommodations and storage needed for extended time aboard.

The traditional ketch rig divides the sail plan into smaller, more manageable sails and provides a variety of combinations for balancing the boat as wind and sea conditions change—attributes that remain particularly appealing to cruising and short-handed sailors. With more than 7,600 pounds of lead ballast and a moderate 5'3" draft, the 424 offers the substantial feel and practical dimensions that have helped these boats develop a loyal following among traditional cruising sailors.

Purchased by her current owner in Michigan in 2001, this 424 has spent the current ownership in freshwater and has benefited from numerous mechanical, electrical, navigation, sailing, and comfort upgrades. Among the most significant are a Cummins B3.3 diesel repower, bow thruster, lithium house battery bank, Magnum inverter/charger, updated Garmin electronics, newer mainsail, whole-boat air conditioning and heat, and Frigoboat keel-cooled refrigeration.

With over 25 years under the same ownership and many of the expensive cruising upgrades already completed, this Pearson offers an excellent foundation for a buyer looking for a capable, traditional cruising yacht.

Engine

The original Westerbeke diesel was replaced around 2006 while the vessel was located in the Grafton, Illinois area. A new 56-horsepower Cummins B3.3 diesel was purchased from Atlantic Diesels and installed at that time.

The seller estimates approximately 200–300 hours of use on the Cummins since installation. The Cummins B3.3 utilizes mechanical fuel injection

Notable Upgrades & Equipment

56 HP Cummins B3.3 diesel repower
Approximately 200–300 estimated engine hours
80-gallon aluminum fuel tank
Dripless stuffing box
Feathering propeller
Rebuilt steering system
Bow thruster
Maxwell windlass
Dedicated battery and charger for bow thruster and windlass
Magnum inverter/charger
Two 8D lithium house batteries – new 2024
Two starting batteries – new 2024
Garmin GPS
Garmin radar
Garmin transducer
AIS
VHF radio
Mainsail new in 2022
Roller-furling headsail
Ketch rig with Marconi mainsail and mizzen
Whole-boat air conditioning and heat
Electric freshwater head
Approximately 40-gallon holding tank
11-gallon water heater
Granite Transformation countertops
Frigoboat keel-cooled refrigeration system
Main salon cushions reupholstered in high-quality leatherette vinyl
Deck and topsides painted in 2020
Last hauled and bottom serviced in 2025

Specifications

LOA: 42'4"
LWL: 33'8"
Beam: 13'
Draft: 5'3"
Displacement: Approximately 21,000 lbs.

With over 25 years under the same ownership, a low-hour Cummins repower, extensive system upgrades, and a proven Pearson cruising platform, this 424 Ketch offers a solid foundation for a buyer looking for a capable traditional cruising sailboat.

Measurements

Dimensions

Length:42ft

Length Overall:424.33ft

Max Draft:5.25ft

Beam:13ft

Tanks

Fresh Water Tanks:2 × 100gal

Holding Tanks:1 × 45gal

Accommodations

Cabins:2

Heads:1

Propulsion

Engine Make:Cummins

Engine Model:null

Total Power:56hp

Engine Type:inboard

Drive Type:direct

Fuel Type:diesel

Propeller Type:3-blade

More Details

Mechanical Disclaimer

Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.

Disclaimer

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.