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Pearson 385
Designer: William Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Pearson 385

Representing Pearson Yachts' venture into larger cruising sailboats, this 38-footer emerged during the company's evolution from their fiberglass pioneer roots. Built with the solid construction methods that made Pearson a respected name in American boatbuilding, the 385 reflects the design philosophy of comfortable coastal and offshore cruising. The boat features a traditional layout optimized for extended voyaging, with emphasis placed on interior volume and seaworthiness rather than racing performance. Her moderate displacement hull strikes a balance between sailing ability and stability, making her well-suited for couples or small families looking to explore beyond coastal waters. The cockpit and deck layout prioritize safety and ease of handling, characteristics that made Pearson boats popular among serious cruisers of the era. While detailed specifications remain limited, the 385 carries the DNA of Pearson's reputation for building robust, ocean-capable vessels that could handle challenging conditions. The boat appeals to sailors seeking a proven platform for serious cruising adventures, offering the kind of traditional sailing experience that defined quality American boatbuilding during Pearson's influential years in the industry.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.25 ft / 11.66 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.00 ft / 9.14 m
Beam 11.58 ft / 3.53 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Displacement 20,575.00 lb / 9,333 kg
Ballast 9,675.00 lb / 4,389 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 615.00 ft² / 57.14 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer William Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts
First Built 1984
Last Built 1986
Related Sailboats ["Pearson 386" · "Catalina 380" · "Endeavour 38" · "Bristol 388" · "Morgan 381 Catalina"]
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
 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
 13.16
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
 37.51
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
 1.69
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. 7.34
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
 1.2
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) 43.25
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.5
P (Mainsail Luff) 35.58
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.5
SA Fore 356.81
SA Main 257.96
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 388, Catalina 380, Endeavour 38

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pearson 385 ★
38.3 ft
Bristol 388
38.3 ft
Catalina 380
38.4 ft
Endeavour 38
38.3 ft
LWL
Pearson 385 ★
30.0 ft
Bristol 388
30.6 ft
Catalina 380
32.4 ft
Endeavour 38
32.0 ft
Beam
Pearson 385 ★
11.6 ft
Bristol 388
12.1 ft
Catalina 380
12.3 ft
Endeavour 38
12.5 ft
Displacement
Pearson 385 ★
20 lbs
Bristol 388
19 lbs
Catalina 380
19 lbs
Endeavour 38
17 lbs
Ballast
Pearson 385 ★
9 lbs
Bristol 388
9 lbs
Catalina 380
6 lbs
Endeavour 38
7 lbs
Sail Area
Pearson 385 ★
615 sq ft
Bristol 388
—
Catalina 380
723 sq ft
Endeavour 38
704 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pearson 385 ★
180 s/nm
Bristol 388
—
Catalina 380
120 s/nm
Endeavour 38
132 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pearson 385 ★
13.2
Bristol 388
—
Catalina 380
16.3
Endeavour 38
16.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pearson 385 ★
—
Bristol 388
47.0 %
Catalina 380
35.8 %
Endeavour 38
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pearson 385 ★
37.5
Bristol 388
—
Catalina 380
30.2
Endeavour 38
27.8
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pearson 385 ★
1.69
Bristol 388
—
Catalina 380
1.85
Endeavour 38
1.93
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pearson 385 ★
—
Bristol 388
298
Catalina 380
248
Endeavour 38
—
Hull Speed
Pearson 385 ★
7.3 kts
Bristol 388
—
Catalina 380
7.6 kts
Endeavour 38
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pearson 385 ★
1.2
Bristol 388
—
Catalina 380
2.1
Endeavour 38
2.2
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