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Pearson 39 2
Designer: William Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1986
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About the Pearson 39 2

With limited documentation available, the Pearson 39 2 represents an intriguing chapter in the respected Pearson Yachts lineage. This model likely emerged during Pearson's productive era when the Rhode Island-based builder was establishing its reputation for solid, seaworthy cruising sailboats that appealed to serious coastal and offshore sailors. Based on Pearson's design philosophy of that period, this 39-footer would have emphasized traditional sailing qualities over racing performance. The company was known for creating boats with moderate displacement, comfortable interiors, and reliable construction methods that inspired confidence in extended cruising applications. Pearson hulls typically featured well-balanced sail plans and predictable handling characteristics that made them popular among both experienced sailors and those transitioning to larger boats. The scarcity of detailed specifications suggests this may have been a limited production model or variant within Pearson's catalog. However, the Pearson name carries significant weight in the used boat market, as the company built a loyal following among cruising sailors who valued durability and seaworthiness over flashy performance numbers. For prospective buyers, any Pearson from this era warrants serious consideration for coastal cruising and potentially offshore passages.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.25 ft / 11.96 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
Beam 12.42 ft / 3.79 m
Max Draft 6.83 ft / 2.08 m
Displacement 16,800.00 lb / 7,620 kg
Ballast 6,800.00 lb / 3,084 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1986
Last Built 1991
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
132
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
40.48
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
245.76
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. 8.32 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 18.17
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.25 ft / 4.95 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 742.00 ft² / 68.93 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Westerbeke
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 46
Fuel Capacity 30 gals / 114 L
Water Capacity 100 gals / 379 L
How It Compares

vs. Cs 40, Mirage 39, Northeast 39 2, Offshore 39 Tanton, Valiant 39

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pearson 39 2 ★
39.3 ft
Cs 40
39.3 ft
Mirage 39
39.2 ft
Northeast 39 2
39.2 ft
Offshore 39 Tanton
39.3 ft
Valiant 39
39.3 ft
LWL
Pearson 39 2 ★
31.3 ft
Cs 40
32.7 ft
Mirage 39
32.8 ft
Northeast 39 2
31.5 ft
Offshore 39 Tanton
35.2 ft
Valiant 39
32.0 ft
Beam
Pearson 39 2 ★
12.4 ft
Cs 40
12.7 ft
Mirage 39
12.5 ft
Northeast 39 2
12.6 ft
Offshore 39 Tanton
12.8 ft
Valiant 39
11.5 ft
Displacement
Pearson 39 2 ★
16 lbs
Cs 40
17 lbs
Mirage 39
16 lbs
Northeast 39 2
14 lbs
Offshore 39 Tanton
18 lbs
Valiant 39
18 lbs
Ballast
Pearson 39 2 ★
6 lbs
Cs 40
7 lbs
Mirage 39
6 lbs
Northeast 39 2
Offshore 39 Tanton
7 lbs
Valiant 39
7 lbs
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pearson 39 2 ★
132 s/nm
Cs 40
93 s/nm
Mirage 39
111 s/nm
Northeast 39 2
Offshore 39 Tanton
Valiant 39
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pearson 39 2 ★
40.5 %
Cs 40
44.1 %
Mirage 39
37.5 %
Northeast 39 2
Offshore 39 Tanton
38.5 %
Valiant 39
37.8 %
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pearson 39 2 ★
245
Cs 40
217
Mirage 39
201
Northeast 39 2
Offshore 39 Tanton
186
Valiant 39
252
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