PEARSON 26
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 26.12 ft |
| LWL | 21.67 ft |
| Beam | 8.69 ft |
| Draft | 4 ft |
| Displacement | 5,400 lb |
| Ballast | 2,200 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.2 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 31.5 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 11.7 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 27.5 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 10 ft |
| FLforestay | 11.7 ft |
| Mainsail | 332.8 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 184.3 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 313.3 sq ft |
Engine
| Commonly | Atomic 4 |
About the PEARSON 26
The PEARSON 26 was one of the company's most successful models. A number of changes were made during a very long production run. The PEARSON 26 WEEKENDER (or PEARSON 26W) has a longer cockpit and shorter coach roof. With a few very rare exceptions, all PERSON 26's have outboard wells and rely on an outboard motor for auxiliary power. Some boats were built at League City, TX (USA). Dimensions from original Pearson brochure (1974) *(Exact 'P' dimension is disputed. - 2009)
Designed by William Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts (USA) from 1970–1983, the Pearson 26 is a classic coastal cruiser with 1750 hulls produced. Its reputation is defined by a comfortable interior and manageable size, though owners frequently report significant structural maintenance challenges.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who prioritize interior comfort and ease of handling over high-performance racing. It is well-suited for couples or small families seeking a manageable masthead sloop for protected waters.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 5400.0 lb and a capsize ratio of 1.98, the Pearson 26 is generally considered suitable for protected coastal waters rather than extended bluewater passages due to its moderate stability and fin keel design.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Pearson 24 and O'Day 23, which share similar beam widths and coastal cruising roles. The Catalina 25 is also a direct competitor in terms of era and displacement, offering similar interior volume for day sailing.
Direct variants of the PEARSON 26
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Estimated Value
High ConfidenceAsking price by model year
53 listings · boat years 1970–1982 · median $4,600
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 26.12ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
15 reported issues across 6 systems for the PEARSON 26, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a PEARSON 26? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 15 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your PEARSON 26?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Atomic 4 — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the PEARSON 26
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…