Question 1

What are the specs of the PEARSON 38?

Accepted Answer

The PEARSON 38 has the following specifications: 37.5ft LOA, 12.33ft beam, 4.75ft draft, 15,175lb displacement, 6,050.3lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Masthead Sloop. Keel: Fin.

Question 2

Who built the PEARSON 38 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Cal-Pearson Corp. (USA), designed by William Shaw, first built in 1989, 21 units were produced.

Question 3

Is the PEARSON 38 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The PEARSON 38 is classified as a Offshore Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 25.86, which means it offers moderate comfort, good for coastal cruising and some offshore work. The capsize screening ratio is 2, which is acceptable for offshore use.

Question 4

How fast is the PEARSON 38?

Accepted Answer

The PEARSON 38 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 17.16, which indicates moderate performance suitable for cruising. The displacement to length ratio is 261.75, making it a moderate displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a PEARSON 38?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a PEARSON 38 is estimated at $2.2K – $5.9K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 6

How much does it cost to own a PEARSON 38 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the PEARSON 38 (37.5ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $2.2K – $5.9K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 37.5ft boat: Florida: $6,800-$18,000/year. California: $6,300-$15,800/year. Massachusetts: $4,700-$10,500/year + $1,500 winter storage. New York: $4,700-$13,100/year + $1,500 winter storage. Maryland: $4,500-$8,100/year. Texas: $2,700-$8,100/year. Washington: $5,400-$11,700/year. Michigan: $2,600-$5,800/year + $1,500 winter storage. North Carolina: $4,100-$8,100/year. South Carolina: $5,900-$11,300/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $5K to $30K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 7

How much does it cost to dock a PEARSON 38?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the PEARSON 38 (37.5ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $6,800-$18,000/year. California: $6,300-$15,800/year. Massachusetts: $4,700-$10,500/year + $1,500 winter storage. New York: $4,700-$13,100/year + $1,500 winter storage. Maryland: $4,500-$8,100/year. Texas: $2,700-$8,100/year. Washington: $5,400-$11,700/year. Michigan: $2,600-$5,800/year + $1,500 winter storage. North Carolina: $4,100-$8,100/year. South Carolina: $5,900-$11,300/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 8

What are the common problems with the PEARSON 38?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 2 issues reported for the PEARSON 38 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in deck, engine, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the PEARSON 38.

Question 9

What should I look for when buying a PEARSON 38?

Accepted Answer

When buying a PEARSON 38, SailPages.com has compiled 2 model-specific issues reported by owners across deck, engine. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the PEARSON 38 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 10

What are the sail dimensions of the PEARSON 38?

Accepted Answer

The PEARSON 38 has the following rig dimensions: I=47.25ft (foretriangle height), J=15.42ft (foretriangle base), P=41ft (mainsail luff), E=14.5ft (mainsail foot).

Question 11

How does the PEARSON 38 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The PEARSON 38 is classified as a Offshore Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 37.5ft LOA, comfort ratio 25.86, capsize ratio 2, SA/disp 17.16. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	37.5 ft
LWL	29.58 ft
Beam	12.33 ft
Draft	4.75 ft
Displacement	15,175 lb
Ballast	6,050.3 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	7.3 kn

Iforetriangle height	47.25 ft
Jforetriangle base	15.42 ft
Pmainsail luff	41 ft
Emainsail foot	14.5 ft

PEARSON 38

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Rig & Sails

Engine

About the PEARSON 38

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