The Pearson 43 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club 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 31.3′, the Pearson 43 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
135s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
SA / Displacement
16.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
42.0%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
319
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
36.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.69
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
36.5
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
1.69
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 43 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Contessa 43
69s/nm
Swan 43 Ss
102s/nm
Hinckley 43 Hood
105s/nm
Cal 43
108s/nm
Pearson 43
135s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
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° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.5 |
6.1 |
6.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.1 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.5 kts),
SA/D (16.4), 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 43 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ 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 43.
|
Pearson 43 |
Cal 43 |
Contessa 43 |
Hinckley 43 Hood |
Swan 43 Ss |
Young Sun 43 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
42.8 |
42.7 |
42.8 |
42.8 |
42.8 |
42.7 |
| LWL |
31.3 |
32.5 |
34.3 |
33.8 |
31.0 |
35.3 |
| Beam |
11.8 |
11.5 |
12.5 |
12.3 |
11.7 |
12.9 |
| Displacement |
21 |
20 |
21 |
25 |
19 |
35 |
| Ballast |
9 |
8 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
10 |
| Sail Area |
797 |
832 |
876 |
886 |
825 |
1 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
135 |
108 |
69 |
105 |
102 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
16.4 |
18.1 |
18.5 |
16.4 |
18.1 |
17.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
42.0 |
40.0 |
51.4 |
45.1 |
— |
— |
| Comfort |
36.5 |
33.6 |
30.5 |
38.0 |
33.7 |
47.7 |
| Capsize |
1.69 |
1.70 |
1.82 |
1.68 |
1.73 |
1.58 |
| Hull Speed |
7.5 |
7.6 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
7.5 |
8.0 |