pear cider help?

[walte1fr]

I'm going to start making a pear cider today. I only have about 2-3 bushels of pear so probably won't get a whole 5 gallon batch but I may add apple cider to get up to 5.
Am I supposed to boil the pears for a few minutes before pressing them to make it easier? Anyone have a step by step for their pear cider? I like higher alcohol ciders so I'm figuring starting around 1.090 and then back sweetening like I do with my regular apple ciders.
Thanks for any advice.

 

[thecidergrove]

1090. Pear wine then. Thats about 15% abv.

 

[walte1fr]

It should end up around 11-12 yeah. Maybe I'll do a bit less I'm just looking for the process and if I should boil them before pressing them.