The Pearson 422 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 33.7′, the Pearson 422 tops out around 7.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.7′ LWL = 7.8 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
171s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
13.5
Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.
Ballast / Displacement
34.7%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
257
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
30.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.86
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
30.8
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.86
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Pearson 422 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Hylas 42
87s/nm
Niagara 42
111s/nm
Passport 42
132s/nm
Valiant 42
138s/nm
Endeavour 42
147s/nm
Pearson 422
171s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.1 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.4 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.1 |
3.9 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.8 kts),
SA/D (13.5), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Pearson 422 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–8 kts
8–22 kts
22–30 kts
30+ kts
Ghosting
0–8 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
8–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–30 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
30+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Pearson 422.
|
Pearson 422 |
Endeavour 42 |
Hylas 42 |
Niagara 42 |
Passport 42 |
Valiant 42 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
42.2 |
42.3 |
42.1 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
42.0 |
| LWL |
33.7 |
33.3 |
33.5 |
32.5 |
34.8 |
34.5 |
| Beam |
13.0 |
13.0 |
13.0 |
12.8 |
12.8 |
12.8 |
| Displacement |
22 |
25 |
17 |
19 |
25 |
24 |
| Ballast |
7 |
9 |
8 |
8 |
9 |
9 |
| Sail Area |
662 |
822 |
826 |
— |
764 |
849 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
171 |
147 |
87 |
111 |
132 |
138 |
| SA/Disp |
13.5 |
15.4 |
19.6 |
— |
14.2 |
16.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
34.7 |
— |
50.0 |
40.9 |
35.3 |
— |
| Comfort |
30.8 |
35.3 |
24.8 |
— |
35.6 |
34.9 |
| Capsize |
1.86 |
1.78 |
2.00 |
— |
1.75 |
1.76 |
| Hull Speed |
7.8 |
7.7 |
7.8 |
— |
7.9 |
7.9 |