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Pearson 34

Designer: William Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Pearson 34

Built during Pearson's golden era of fiberglass sailboat production, this 34-footer represents the yard's commitment to creating sturdy, well-balanced cruising boats for the growing recreational sailing market. Pearson Yachts established a solid reputation for building boats that offered good value and reliable performance, making their designs popular among sailors seeking dependable coastal cruisers. This model typically features the classic proportions and moderate displacement characteristics that defined Pearson's approach to sailboat design. The hull form and sailplan were engineered to provide a comfortable balance between performance and stability, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and weekend sailing adventures. The cockpit and deck layout emphasize practical seamanship and ease of handling. Like other Pearson designs from this era, the 34 benefits from solid fiberglass construction methods and attention to structural integrity. The interior accommodations reflect the practical cruising philosophy of the time, offering comfortable living spaces for extended voyages while maintaining the clean, uncluttered aesthetic that Pearson boats were known for. For sailors considering this model, it represents an opportunity to own a piece of American sailboat manufacturing history with proven seaworthiness and enduring design appeal.

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.
$19,900 – $29,500
typical asking price
Median $22,000  ·  3 listings used
All listings
$19,900 – $29,500 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) 33.79 ft / 10.30 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.12 ft / 8.57 m
Beam 11.17 ft / 3.40 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 11,240.00 lb / 5,098 kg
Ballast 4,250.00 lb / 1,928 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 550.00 ft² / 51.10 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts
First Built 1983
Last Built 1986
Related Sailboats S2 103 · Tartan 33 · Farr 33 · San Juan 34 · Schock 34 Gp
Owner Reviews

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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
 144
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
 17.6
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
 23.41
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. 7.11
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
 2.48
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) 44.25
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 38.33
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.5
SA Fore 309.75
SA Main 239.56
How It Compares

vs. Farr 33, S2 103, San Juan 34, Schock 34 Gp, Tartan 33

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pearson 34 ★
33.8 ft
Farr 33
33.8 ft
S2 103
33.8 ft
San Juan 34
33.8 ft
Schock 34 Gp
33.8 ft
Tartan 33
33.7 ft
LWL
Pearson 34 ★
28.1 ft
Farr 33
26.7 ft
S2 103
28.0 ft
San Juan 34
27.9 ft
Schock 34 Gp
28.6 ft
Tartan 33
28.8 ft
Beam
Pearson 34 ★
11.2 ft
Farr 33
11.6 ft
S2 103
11.3 ft
San Juan 34
10.9 ft
Schock 34 Gp
11.6 ft
Tartan 33
11.0 ft
Displacement
Pearson 34 ★
11 lbs
Farr 33
9 lbs
S2 103
10 lbs
San Juan 34
10 lbs
Schock 34 Gp
8 lbs
Tartan 33
10 lbs
Ballast
Pearson 34 ★
4 lbs
Farr 33
2 lbs
S2 103
4 lbs
San Juan 34
4 lbs
Schock 34 Gp
3 lbs
Tartan 33
4 lbs
Sail Area
Pearson 34 ★
550 sq ft
Farr 33
—
S2 103
564 sq ft
San Juan 34
548 sq ft
Schock 34 Gp
545 sq ft
Tartan 33
531 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pearson 34 ★
144 s/nm
Farr 33
108 s/nm
S2 103
—
San Juan 34
132 s/nm
Schock 34 Gp
90 s/nm
Tartan 33
153 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pearson 34 ★
17.6
Farr 33
—
S2 103
18.9
San Juan 34
18.4
Schock 34 Gp
21.0
Tartan 33
18.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pearson 34 ★
—
Farr 33
31.5 %
S2 103
—
San Juan 34
45.7 %
Schock 34 Gp
37.9 %
Tartan 33
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pearson 34 ★
23.4
Farr 33
—
S2 103
21.5
San Juan 34
22.6
Schock 34 Gp
16.7
Tartan 33
21.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pearson 34 ★
2.00
Farr 33
—
S2 103
2.07
San Juan 34
2.00
Schock 34 Gp
2.27
Tartan 33
2.04
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pearson 34 ★
—
Farr 33
217
S2 103
—
San Juan 34
215
Schock 34 Gp
162
Tartan 33
—
Hull Speed
Pearson 34 ★
7.1 kts
Farr 33
—
S2 103
7.1 kts
San Juan 34
7.1 kts
Schock 34 Gp
7.2 kts
Tartan 33
7.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pearson 34 ★
2.5
Farr 33
—
S2 103
2.8
San Juan 34
2.7
Schock 34 Gp
3.8
Tartan 33
3.0
Find a Pearson 34 For Sale
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