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Pearson 33 2
Designer: Bill Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts  ·  First built: 1985
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About the Pearson 33 2

Building on Pearson Yachts' reputation for sturdy, well-built cruising sailboats, this 33-footer represents the Rhode Island builder's commitment to creating seaworthy vessels for serious sailors. Pearson established itself as a respected name in fiberglass yacht construction during the 1960s and 70s, consistently producing boats that balanced performance with cruising comfort. With its moderate displacement hull and traditional lines, this model suits coastal cruising and weekend adventures particularly well. The design emphasizes seaworthiness over pure speed, making it an excellent choice for sailors who prioritize safety and comfort during extended passages. Like other Pearson designs from this era, the boat features solid fiberglass construction with attention to structural integrity. The cockpit layout and cabin arrangement reflect Pearson's understanding of what cruising sailors need—practical spaces that work well in real sailing conditions. While not designed as a pure racer, the boat offers respectable performance under sail and handles well in various wind conditions. For sailors seeking a reliable, well-engineered cruising boat with classic styling, this Pearson model delivers the dependable sailing characteristics the brand became known for throughout its decades of production.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.25 ft / 8.00 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 11,000.00 lb / 4,990 kg
Ballast 4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 515.00 ft² / 47.85 m²
Headroom 6.25 ft / 1.91 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Bill Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts
First Built 1985
Last Built 1995
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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
177
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
16.72
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
24.79
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. 6.87
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
1.94
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.9
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.8
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.1
SA Fore 280.58
SA Main 228.69
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