Join Association / Benefits: History

Pearson Yachts introduced the Pearson 35 during the 1968 Boat Shows. It became an immediate hit So much so that in 1969 Laurence Hartge, the Annapolis area Pearson dealer, with the encouragement of many of the growing number of owners in the area, founded the Pearson 35 Association of Chesapeake Bay. With the arrival of the Pearson 33 a few years later, the group's name was changed to the Pearson 33 - 35 Association. As new models of Pearsons were introduced, membership was expanded and the organization became the Pearson Sailing Association of the Chesapeake Bay.

A feature event of the early days was an annual race. The first race and rendezvous set the tone for a low key sailing association. There was an absolute calm. But intent on racing anyway, the event was changed to a race under power. The participants started at anchor with all sails up. At the starting gun, they dropped and furled their sails, started their engines, hoisted anchor, and headed down the course. The winner became the first official Commodore.