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Pearson 31 2
Designer: William Shaw/W. G. Richards  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1987
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About the Pearson 31 2

Built during Pearson Yachts' final years from 1987 to 1991, this 31-footer represents the company's evolution toward more modern sailing performance while maintaining their reputation for solid construction. Designed by the collaborative team of William Shaw and W. G. Richards, the Pearson 31 2 features a fin keel with spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and improved windward ability compared to earlier full-keel designs. With a displacement of 10,000 pounds and 3,800 pounds of ballast, this masthead sloop strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance. The moderate sail area of 493 square feet and SA/Displacement ratio of 17.05 suggest a boat that will move well in light to moderate conditions without being overpowered in fresh breezes. Her comfort ratio of 24.45 indicates motion that's manageable for coastal cruising, while the capsize screening formula of 1.98 keeps her within acceptable limits for offshore passages. The fiberglass construction follows Pearson's traditional standards of durability, making these boats attractive to cruising sailors seeking a capable platform for coastal exploration and occasional longer passages. Her 5.80-foot draft provides good windward performance while remaining accessible to most harbors, and the compact 18-horsepower auxiliary engine offers reliable backup power for close-quarters maneuvering.

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.
$5,500 – $25,000
typical asking price
Median $10,900  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$5,500 – $25,000 3
Rate a listing price
$
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) 30.67 ft / 9.35 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.42 ft / 7.75 m
Beam 10.67 ft / 3.25 m
Max Draft 5.80 ft / 1.77 m
Displacement 10,000.00 lb / 4,536 kg
Ballast 3,800.00 lb / 1,724 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 493.00 ft² / 45.80 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Shaw/W. G. Richards
Builder Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1987
Last Built 1991
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
180
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
17.05
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
38
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
271.78
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
24.45
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
1.98
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. 6.76 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
1.98
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. 969.14 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. 17.04
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 42.50 ft / 12.95 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.80 ft / 3.90 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 36.80 ft / 11.22 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
SA Fore 272.00 ft² / 25.27 m²
SA Main 220.80 ft² / 20.51 m²
SA Total (100%) 492.80 ft² / 45.78 m²
Est. Forestay Length 44.39 ft / 13.53 m
Mast Height (DWL) 46.33 ft / 14.12 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Model 2GM
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 18
Fuel Capacity 18 gals / 68 L
Water Capacity 40 gals / 151 L
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 309, Newport 31, Tanzer 31

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pearson 31 2 ★
30.7 ft
Catalina 309
30.8 ft
Newport 31
30.7 ft
Tanzer 31
30.6 ft
LWL
Pearson 31 2 ★
25.4 ft
Catalina 309
26.0 ft
Newport 31
27.0 ft
Tanzer 31
25.0 ft
Beam
Pearson 31 2 ★
10.7 ft
Catalina 309
11.0 ft
Newport 31
10.5 ft
Tanzer 31
10.5 ft
Displacement
Pearson 31 2 ★
10 lbs
Catalina 309
9 lbs
Newport 31
8 lbs
Tanzer 31
8 lbs
Ballast
Pearson 31 2 ★
3 lbs
Catalina 309
3 lbs
Newport 31
2 lbs
Tanzer 31
3 lbs
Sail Area
Pearson 31 2 ★
493 sq ft
Catalina 309
452 sq ft
Newport 31
447 sq ft
Tanzer 31
468 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pearson 31 2 ★
180 s/nm
Catalina 309
167 s/nm
Newport 31
177 s/nm
Tanzer 31
165 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pearson 31 2 ★
17.1
Catalina 309
16.4
Newport 31
17.2
Tanzer 31
18.3
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pearson 31 2 ★
38.0 %
Catalina 309
41.3 %
Newport 31
Tanzer 31
39.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pearson 31 2 ★
24.5
Catalina 309
21.1
Newport 31
20.4
Tanzer 31
21.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pearson 31 2 ★
1.98
Catalina 309
2.10
Newport 31
2.06
Tanzer 31
2.08
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pearson 31 2 ★
271
Catalina 309
233
Newport 31
Tanzer 31
237
Hull Speed
Pearson 31 2 ★
6.8 kts
Catalina 309
6.8 kts
Newport 31
7.0 kts
Tanzer 31
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pearson 31 2 ★
2.0
Catalina 309
Newport 31
2.8
Tanzer 31
2.4
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