Pearson Yachts was a pioneer in fiberglass sailboat construction, producing some of the most iconic American cruisers from the 1950s through the 1990s. Known for their solid build and timeless designs, Pearson boats still have a loyal following today
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Pearson 27: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 27 is a compact coastal cruiser introduced in the early 1970s by Pearson Yachts, designed by William Shaw to serve the growing market of recreational sailors seeking a manageable, family-friendly sailboat. Its purpose was primarily cruising, with occasional club racing in mind, targeting small families or couples who …
Pearson 28-2: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 28-2 arrived in the mid-1980s as William Shaw’s follow-on to the earlier Pearson 28, built by Pearson Yachts as a compact performance cruiser intended to give weekend sailors a little more room below and crisper sailing manners above. The design clearly aims at the cruiser/racer slot: enough form …
Pearson 28: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 28 sits squarely in the sweet spot of classic American 1970s–80s production cruisers: big enough to weekend with a family, small enough to own and maintain without drama. Drawn by Bill Shaw for Pearson Yachts and launched in 1975, the line evolved through several iterations (a 1980 refresh …
Pearson 30: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 30 was introduced in the early 1970s by Pearson Yachts, a pioneering American production boatbuilder based in Rhode Island. Designed by William Shaw, the Pearson 30 was intended to bridge the gap between family cruising and club racing—a boat that could take a family out for a weeklong …
Pearson 31-2: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 31-2 is a late-1980s compact cruiser that was conceived as a capable coastal passagemaker with a hint of club-racer heritage — a practical design for sailors who wanted reasonable performance without sacrificing interior comfort. Designed by William “Bill” Shaw and produced during Pearson’s late-80s run (roughly 1987–1991 in …
Pearson 323: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 323 is a 32-foot cruising sailboat designed in the mid-1970s by William Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts in Rhode Island, USA. Conceived primarily as a coastal and limited offshore cruiser, it aimed to provide comfortable accommodations and solid sailing performance for couples or small families rather than …
Pearson 34-2: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 34-2 is a late-1980s/early-1990s production cruiser from the revived Pearson line, conceived as a performance-minded coastal cruiser that leans more toward comfortable family sailing than club racing. Designed by William (Bill) Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts between roughly 1989 and 1991, the 34-2 was intended to give …
Pearson 365: Sailboat Data, In-depth Review & Buying Tips
The Pearson 365 is a 36-foot cruising sailboat designed in the mid-1970s by William Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts in Rhode Island, USA. Conceived as a capable bluewater and coastal cruiser, it was aimed at sailors who valued comfort, rugged construction, and straightforward handling over racing performance. Its introduction …