The Pearson 39 2 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 31.3′, the Pearson 39 2 tops out around 7.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √31.3′ LWL = 7.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
132s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
40.5%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
246
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
7.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
8lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pearson 39 2 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cs 40
Mirage 39
Pearson 39 2
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pearson 39 2.
| Pearson 39 2 | Cs 40 | Mirage 39 | Northeast 39 2 | Offshore 39 Tanton | Valiant 39 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 39.3 | 39.3 | 39.2 | 39.2 | 39.3 | 39.3 |
| LWL | 31.3 | 32.7 | 32.8 | 31.5 | 35.2 | 32.0 |
| Beam | 12.4 | 12.7 | 12.5 | 12.6 | 12.8 | 11.5 |
| Displacement | 16 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 18 | 18 |
| Ballast | 6 | 7 | 6 | — | 7 | 7 |
| Sail Area | — | 766 | — | 740 | — | — |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 132 | 93 | 111 | — | — | — |
| SA/Disp | — | 18.6 | — | 19.6 | — | — |
| Bal/Disp | 40.5 | 44.1 | 37.5 | — | 38.5 | 37.8 |
| Comfort | — | 25.8 | — | 23.4 | — | — |
| Capsize | — | 1.97 | — | 2.05 | — | — |
| Hull Speed | — | 7.7 | — | 7.5 | — | — |