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Pearson 28 2
Designer: William Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1985
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Pearson 28 2
Photo: Ahunt / CC0
About the Pearson 28 2

Designed by William Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts from 1985 to 1989, this 28-footer represents the company's evolution toward more modern sailing characteristics during the mid-1980s. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers responsive handling and good upwind performance, making it well-suited for both coastal cruising and club racing. With a displacement of 7,000 pounds and ballast of 2,550 pounds, the Pearson 28 2 strikes a balance between stability and performance. The fiberglass construction with balsa core deck provides strength while keeping weight reasonable, contributing to the boat's 6.62-knot hull speed potential. The masthead sloop rig with 384 square feet of sail area offers straightforward sail handling for shorthanded crews. The comfort ratio of 20.13 suggests a boat that prioritizes sailing performance over heavy-weather comfort, while the capsize screening formula of 2.06 indicates good stability characteristics for coastal and nearshore sailing. The SA/displacement ratio of 16.84 places it in moderate performance territory—not a racing flyer, but certainly capable of spirited sailing. This design appeals to sailors seeking a well-built weekend cruiser or day sailor that can handle a variety of conditions while remaining manageable for couples or small crews.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$4,000 – $27,500
typical asking price
Median $9,175  ·  4 listings used
All listings
$4,000 – $27,500 4
Rate a listing price
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About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.46 ft / 8.67 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.37 ft / 7.43 m
Beam 9.83 ft / 3.00 m
Max Draft 4.83 ft / 1.47 m
Displacement 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Ballast 2,550.00 lb / 1,157 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 384.00 ft² / 35.67 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG/balsa core deck
Designer William Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1985
Last Built 1989
Associations Pearson Yacht Owners Portal
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
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).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 192
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
 16.84
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
 36.43
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
 215.92
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
 20.13
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. 6.62 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
 2.5
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. 855.96 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. 16.78
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.50 ft / 11.43 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.25 ft / 3.43 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.92 ft / 9.73 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.75 ft / 3.28 m
SA Fore 210.94 ft² / 19.60 m²
SA Main 171.57 ft² / 15.94 m²
SA Total (100%) 382.51 ft² / 35.54 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.15 ft / 11.93 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 2GM20
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 18 gals / 68 L
Water Capacity 25 gals / 95 L
Resources & Community
⚓ Class Association Pearson Yachts Portal 💬 Owners Forum Owners Forum & Discussion
Find a Pearson 28 2 For Sale
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