Back to Search
Flyer Pearson
Designer: William Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1981
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Flyer Pearson

Designed by William Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts from 1981 to 1983, this 30-foot sailboat represents a focused approach to performance-oriented coastal cruising. The Flyer's fractional sloop rig and fin keel configuration with transom-hung rudder deliver responsive handling characteristics that appeal to sailors seeking an engaging helm experience. With a displacement of 6,135 pounds and 2,700 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a balance between stability and performance. The sail area to displacement ratio of 21.84 indicates spirited sailing ability, while the comfort ratio of 14.55 suggests a motion that favors performance over gentle cruising. The capsize screening formula of 2.42 keeps the design within reasonable bounds for coastal waters and protected offshore passages. The fiberglass construction reflects Pearson's reputation for solid boatbuilding during this era. At 25 feet on the waterline with an 11.08-foot beam, the hull provides adequate interior volume for weekend cruising while maintaining the clean lines that contribute to the theoretical hull speed of 6.70 knots. The 8-horsepower auxiliary engine offers sufficient power for maneuvering in tight quarters. This design suits sailors who prioritize sailing performance over spacious accommodations, making it ideal for coastal exploration and club racing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 29.92 ft / 9.12 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 11.08 ft / 3.38 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 6,135.00 lb / 2,783 kg
Ballast 2,700.00 lb / 1,225 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 456.00 ft² / 42.36 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/transom hung rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1981
Last Built 1983
Associations Pearson Yacht Owners Portal
Related Sailboats Catalina 30 · Hunter 30 · S2 92 C · Ericson 30 · Santana 30
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Flyer Pearson? Submit a known issue

Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 21.84
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 44.01
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 175.29
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 14.55
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.42
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.70 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 3.61
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 989.75 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 21.87
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.00 ft / 10.67 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.42 ft / 3.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 39.67 ft / 12.09 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.83 ft / 4.22 m
SPL/TPS 10.84 ft / 3.30 m
SA Fore 182.35 ft² / 16.94 m²
SA Main 274.32 ft² / 25.49 m²
SA Total (100%) 456.67 ft² / 42.43 m²
Est. Forestay Length 36.52 ft / 11.13 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make BMW
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 8
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 30, Ericson 30, Hunter 30, S2 92 C, Santana 30

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Flyer Pearson ★
29.9 ft
Catalina 30
29.9 ft
Ericson 30
29.9 ft
Hunter 30
29.9 ft
S2 92 C
29.9 ft
Santana 30
29.9 ft
LWL
Flyer Pearson ★
25.0 ft
Catalina 30
25.0 ft
Ericson 30
25.3 ft
Hunter 30
25.6 ft
S2 92 C
25.0 ft
Santana 30
25.0 ft
Beam
Flyer Pearson ★
11.1 ft
Catalina 30
10.8 ft
Ericson 30
10.5 ft
Hunter 30
10.8 ft
S2 92 C
10.3 ft
Santana 30
10.0 ft
Displacement
Flyer Pearson ★
6 lbs
Catalina 30
10 lbs
Ericson 30
9 lbs
Hunter 30
9 lbs
S2 92 C
9 lbs
Santana 30
8 lbs
Ballast
Flyer Pearson ★
2 lbs
Catalina 30
4 lbs
Ericson 30
4 lbs
Hunter 30
3 lbs
S2 92 C
4 lbs
Santana 30
3 lbs
Sail Area
Flyer Pearson ★
456 sq ft
Catalina 30
446 sq ft
Ericson 30
470 sq ft
Hunter 30
417 sq ft
S2 92 C
468 sq ft
Santana 30
414 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Flyer Pearson ★
—
Catalina 30
180 s/nm
Ericson 30
168 s/nm
Hunter 30
189 s/nm
S2 92 C
—
Santana 30
174 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Flyer Pearson ★
21.8
Catalina 30
15.2
Ericson 30
17.4
Hunter 30
14.5
S2 92 C
16.4
Santana 30
16.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Flyer Pearson ★
44.0 %
Catalina 30
41.2 %
Ericson 30
—
Hunter 30
39.4 %
S2 92 C
—
Santana 30
47.5 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Flyer Pearson ★
14.6
Catalina 30
24.9
Ericson 30
22.7
Hunter 30
—
S2 92 C
25.8
Santana 30
21.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Flyer Pearson ★
2.42
Catalina 30
2.00
Ericson 30
2.02
Hunter 30
—
S2 92 C
1.92
Santana 30
2.00
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Flyer Pearson ★
175
Catalina 30
291
Ericson 30
—
Hunter 30
264
S2 92 C
—
Santana 30
228
Hull Speed
Flyer Pearson ★
6.7 kts
Catalina 30
6.7 kts
Ericson 30
6.7 kts
Hunter 30
—
S2 92 C
6.7 kts
Santana 30
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Flyer Pearson ★
3.6
Catalina 30
1.6
Ericson 30
2.2
Hunter 30
—
S2 92 C
1.9
Santana 30
2.4
Find a Flyer Pearson For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace