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Pearson 40
Designer: William Shaw  ·  Builder: Pearson Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1979
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About the Pearson 40

Pearson Yachts built a reputation for producing well-constructed fiberglass cruising sailboats during their decades-long run, and the Pearson 40 represents the builder's commitment to creating seaworthy vessels for serious sailors. This design falls squarely into the cruising category, built with the structural integrity and thoughtful layout that made Pearson boats popular among sailors seeking reliable offshore capability. Like other Pearson designs from this era, the 40-footer likely features the builder's characteristic solid fiberglass construction and practical interior arrangements that prioritize comfort during extended passages. The boat's size places it in the sweet spot for couples or small families looking to venture beyond coastal waters while maintaining manageable handling characteristics. While detailed specifications remain limited, the Pearson 40's pedigree suggests a moderate displacement design with respectable sailing performance balanced against cruising comfort. The builder's reputation for quality construction means these boats often remain desirable on the used market, particularly among sailors who value proven seaworthiness over cutting-edge performance. For those considering blue water cruising in a well-established design, the Pearson 40 represents the kind of traditional sailing yacht that has carried countless sailors safely across oceans.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 39.92 ft / 12.17 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 31.25 ft / 9.53 m
Beam 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
Max Draft 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
Displacement 22,800.00 lb / 10,342 kg
Ballast 12,200.00 lb / 5,534 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/CB & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer William Shaw
Builder Pearson Yachts (USA)
First Built 1979
Last Built 1981
Number Built 71
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
117
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
53.51
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
333.53
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. 8.37 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 4.25 ft / 1.30 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 17.00 ft / 5.18 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 803.00 ft² / 74.60 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) Westerbeke w/v-drive
Engine & Accommodations
Horsepower 37
Fuel Capacity 46 gals / 174 L
Water Capacity 90 gals / 341 L
How It Compares

vs. Endeavour 40, Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster, Intrepid 40, Tartan 40 Offshore, Valiant 40 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pearson 40 ★
39.9 ft
Endeavour 40
40.0 ft
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
39.9 ft
Intrepid 40
40.0 ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
40.0 ft
Valiant 40 2
39.9 ft
LWL
Pearson 40 ★
31.3 ft
Endeavour 40
32.0 ft
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
32.5 ft
Intrepid 40
32.8 ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
36.0 ft
Valiant 40 2
34.0 ft
Beam
Pearson 40 ★
12.5 ft
Endeavour 40
13.0 ft
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
12.1 ft
Intrepid 40
12.6 ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
13.3 ft
Valiant 40 2
12.3 ft
Displacement
Pearson 40 ★
22 lbs
Endeavour 40
25 lbs
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
20 lbs
Intrepid 40
20 lbs
Tartan 40 Offshore
26 lbs
Valiant 40 2
22 lbs
Ballast
Pearson 40 ★
12 lbs
Endeavour 40
9 lbs
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
8 lbs
Intrepid 40
7 lbs
Tartan 40 Offshore
10 lbs
Valiant 40 2
7 lbs
Sail Area
Pearson 40 ★
Endeavour 40
788 sq ft
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
705 sq ft
Intrepid 40
749 sq ft
Tartan 40 Offshore
788 sq ft
Valiant 40 2
772 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pearson 40 ★
117 s/nm
Endeavour 40
147 s/nm
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
Intrepid 40
125 s/nm
Tartan 40 Offshore
Valiant 40 2
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pearson 40 ★
Endeavour 40
14.8
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
15.4
Intrepid 40
16.3
Tartan 40 Offshore
14.4
Valiant 40 2
15.6
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pearson 40 ★
53.5 %
Endeavour 40
36.0 %
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
42.5 %
Intrepid 40
Tartan 40 Offshore
Valiant 40 2
34.2 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pearson 40 ★
Endeavour 40
36.9
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
32.2
Intrepid 40
30.5
Tartan 40 Offshore
34.3
Valiant 40 2
34.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pearson 40 ★
Endeavour 40
1.78
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
1.78
Intrepid 40
1.86
Tartan 40 Offshore
1.80
Valiant 40 2
1.75
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pearson 40 ★
333
Endeavour 40
340
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
260
Intrepid 40
Tartan 40 Offshore
Valiant 40 2
255
Hull Speed
Pearson 40 ★
Endeavour 40
7.6 kts
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
7.6 kts
Intrepid 40
7.7 kts
Tartan 40 Offshore
8.0 kts
Valiant 40 2
7.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pearson 40 ★
Endeavour 40
1.3
Gulfstar 40 Sailmaster
Intrepid 40
2.1
Tartan 40 Offshore
Valiant 40 2
2.0
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