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Pearson 26 One Design
Designer: William Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Pearson 26 One Design

Designed by William Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts from 1978 to 1983, this 26-footer represents a thoughtful approach to small boat sailing with one-design racing potential. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling characteristics, while the masthead sloop rig provides straightforward sail management for both competitive sailing and weekend cruising. With a displacement of 5,200 pounds and 2,200 pounds of ballast, the boat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance. The fiberglass hull features a balsa-cored deck construction, offering strength while keeping weight aloft to a minimum. The comfort ratio of 19.65 suggests a relatively stiff, quick motion that favors performance over ultimate comfort, making this boat well-suited for spirited day sailing and short coastal cruises rather than extended offshore passages. The capsize screening formula of 2.0 indicates good stability characteristics for coastal waters, while the SA/displacement ratio of 17.16 points to moderate performance potential in light to moderate conditions. Hull speed calculations suggest the boat can achieve 6.24 knots in ideal conditions. This Pearson makes an attractive choice for sailors seeking a manageable trailerable boat that can handle club racing while still providing enjoyable cruising capabilities for couples or small families.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.17 ft / 7.98 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.67 ft / 6.61 m
Beam 8.67 ft / 2.64 m
Max Draft 4.00 ft / 1.22 m
Displacement 5,200.00 lb / 2,359 kg
Ballast 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 321.00 ft² / 29.82 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG w/balsa cored deck
Designer William Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1978
Last Built 1983
Associations Pearson Yacht Owners Portal
Related Sailboats ["Pearson 26 Weekender" · "Pearson 26" · "Santana 26" · "J/80" · "Ranger 26 Mull"]
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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
 17.16
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
 42.31
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
 228.13
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
 19.65
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
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. 6.24 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
 2.41
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. 671.31 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. 17.2
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 31.50 ft / 9.60 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.70 ft / 3.57 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
SA Fore 184.28 ft² / 17.12 m²
SA Main 137.50 ft² / 12.77 m²
SA Total (100%) 321.78 ft² / 29.89 m²
Est. Forestay Length 33.60 ft / 10.24 m
Mast Height (DWL) 35.16 ft / 10.72 m
How It Compares

vs. J/80, Pearson 26, Santana 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pearson 26 One Design ★
26.2 ft
J/80
26.3 ft
Pearson 26
26.1 ft
Santana 26
26.2 ft
LWL
Pearson 26 One Design ★
21.7 ft
J/80
22.8 ft
Pearson 26
21.7 ft
Santana 26
21.1 ft
Beam
Pearson 26 One Design ★
8.7 ft
J/80
9.4 ft
Pearson 26
8.7 ft
Santana 26
7.9 ft
Displacement
Pearson 26 One Design ★
5 lbs
J/80
3 lbs
Pearson 26
5 lbs
Santana 26
5 lbs
Ballast
Pearson 26 One Design ★
2 lbs
J/80
1 lbs
Pearson 26
2 lbs
Santana 26
2 lbs
Sail Area
Pearson 26 One Design ★
321 sq ft
J/80
338 sq ft
Pearson 26
321 sq ft
Santana 26
324 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pearson 26 One Design ★
—
J/80
129 s/nm
Pearson 26
213 s/nm
Santana 26
201 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pearson 26 One Design ★
17.2
J/80
24.8
Pearson 26
16.7
Santana 26
17.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pearson 26 One Design ★
42.3 %
J/80
42.7 %
Pearson 26
40.7 %
Santana 26
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pearson 26 One Design ★
19.7
J/80
17.9
Pearson 26
20.4
Santana 26
22.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pearson 26 One Design ★
2.00
J/80
1.80
Pearson 26
1.98
Santana 26
1.85
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pearson 26 One Design ★
228
J/80
70
Pearson 26
236
Santana 26
—
Hull Speed
Pearson 26 One Design ★
6.2 kts
J/80
6.9 kts
Pearson 26
6.2 kts
Santana 26
6.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pearson 26 One Design ★
2.4
J/80
—
Pearson 26
2.3
Santana 26
2.4
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