Designed by renowned naval architect Doug Peterson and built by Pearson Yachts beginning in 1986, this 25-footer represents a well-balanced approach to small boat sailing. Peterson's design expertise, honed through years of successful racing yacht development, shines through in the boat's proportions and performance characteristics.
With a displacement of 3,750 pounds and moderate ballast-to-displacement ratio, the Pearson 25 strikes an appealing balance between stability and responsiveness. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides crisp handling and good pointing ability, while the masthead sloop rig keeps sail handling straightforward for small crews. At 257 square feet of sail area, there's enough power for spirited sailing without becoming overwhelming.
The boat's comfort ratio of 16.14 indicates a relatively stiff, quick motion that favors performance over ultra-gentle cruising characteristics, making it well-suited for day sailing, club racing, and coastal cruising. The capsize screening value of 2.06 suggests reasonable stability for near-coastal waters, though extended offshore passages would push beyond the design's intended envelope.
Fiberglass construction ensures durability and low maintenance, while the compact 25-foot length makes trailering feasible and marina costs manageable. This makes an excellent choice for sailors seeking genuine sailing performance in an affordable, manageable package.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
25.00 ft / 7.62 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
21.42 ft / 6.53 m
Beam
8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft
4.25 ft / 1.30 m
Displacement
3,750.00 lb / 1,701 kg
Ballast
1,250.00 lb / 567 kg
Sail Area (Reported)
257.00 ft² / 23.88 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
Masthead Sloop
Construction
FG
Designer
Doug Peterson
Builder
Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built
1986
Associations
Pearson Yacht Owners Portal
Owner Reviews
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PHRF Rating
PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
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
17.08
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.
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
170.34
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
16.14
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
2.06
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.
6.20 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
3.09
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.
612.29 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.
17.09
