pearson sailboat owners association

The Pearson Sailing Association of the Chesapeake Bay (PSA) is an informal group of owners of sailboats built by Pearson Yachts. Founded in 1969 as the Pearson 35 Association, the membership was gradually expanded to include all classes of sailboats made by Pearson.

PSA has about 55 members from around the Chesapeake Bay and is formal enough to have association officers and a club burgee, but does not have formal bylaws or rules. Our purpose is to increase member enjoyment in sailing in one of the greatest cruising grounds in the world!

Throughout almost the entire year, we have at least one activity per month. Some of these are land-based, and can be attended either by boat or car. In addition, we have a Holiday party sometime in December, and a club ski trip in February. Please check our Calendar and Upcoming Events pages for the latest information.

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New members are welcome, and should download our Membership form . Membership dues are $35 annually.

©2000-2016 Pearson Sailing Association of the Chesapeake Bay. All Rights Reserved.

Pearson 424 Community Site

Community of owners and potential owners of pearson 424 sailboats, #pearson424.

She’s an oldie but a goodie 🥰 our Pearson 424 has been carrying us through just swell the last few weeks. I’m so proud of all the hard work Matt has poured into her and how well she’s responding to being used 24/7 😅 so grateful! Thank you, sweet ol’ Oatmeal Savage 🙌🏻 ⛵️ #pearson424 ...

What is your story ? Have you sold your home to go on a adventure of a lifetime ? Have you ever thought about selling your home to go on that adventure you have dreamt about ? I will tell you my story if you tell me yours #sailinglife #sailaway #bahamas #liveaboardlife #pearson424 #realestate #realtorlife #flordialiving #livewhereyouvaction #expproud #exprealtor #adventureawaits #fortmyers #capecoral #naples #estero #bonitasprings ...

Day 003 - finally had some wind today, and it’s picking up! 💨 Kids cheered about a “fend for yourself!” lunch, and did pretty well making KD while the boat heeled over (and yes, Piper does eat most meals with chopsticks🥢). We’re tucked in a nice little bay on Cortes Island, putting lotion on sunburns and waiting for the weather to cool down a bit so we can cook dinner 😅 #svoatmealsavage #pearson424 #kidsforsail ...

Day 001 - We were sent out of the marina with love and whoops and spent most of the day motoring North, finally anchoring in Echo Bay for a swim with the sea life. It was an easy day, ironing out a few systems and just enjoying this cozy summer weather. No complaints over here! ⛵️ #svoatmealsavage #kidsforsail #pearson424 ...

Fitting everyone in a space! Matt is literally creating spaces out of nothing 🤪 We got rid of the navigation table and he made a quarter-berth for Piper (or any small-ish person). I’m feeling like this will be a game-changer in teenager-land, to have some personal space 🙌🏻 Now to finish it before we leave! #pearson424 ...

Gaia got a new flag… and it’s huge! 🇨🇦 . . . #108malaproject #sailing #sailinglife #pearson424 #monohull #canada #caribbean #grenada #islandvibes ...

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The Pearson Ensign : 1962 – Present

Originally called The Electra Day Sailer , the Ensign is a Carl Alberg design

Time-honored Reliability

The Ensign hull design by Carl Alberg is based on the Pearson Electra . He modified the design for the Ensign in response to customer demand for a day-sailer with a larger cockpit and smaller cabin. Pearson Yachts was the only builder of the boat from 1962-1983 with 1775 boats constructed before ceasing production. Production was resumed in 2001 by Ensign Spars, Inc. of Dunedin Florida, where reportedly another 33 boats, (hull #2000 and above), have been produced as of 2019.

Consider this: The Ensign is the only sailboat from Pearson Yachts that is still in production today — and Pearson has been closed for close to 3 decades. Now isn't that a true test of time!

The Ensign is by far the largest one-design fleet of full-keel sailboats in the country. It was inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame in 2002.

"Consider what has made the Ensign so popular… a large eight foot cockpit with full length teak seats so perfect for the safety and convenience of a large family; a twin-berth cuddy cabin with optional head for those overnights or weekends; national recognition as a one-design racing class; longevity of manufacturer; strict class rules for uniformity; Pearson Quality "! Pearson Yachts Inc.

More than 1700 ENSIGNS are sailing nationwide in a strong, active one-design association numbering 47 fleets in 20 states (1979). Rigid class rules insure continuity of design and manufacture thereby enhancing resale value. Her remarkable ability to race well while providing all the comfort and stability required of a good day-sailer or weekender has endeared here to hundreds of experts and novices everywhere.

Since the class was introduced in 1962, the ENSIGN has proven herself to be the ideal all-around family boat. Her ability, seaworthiness, and forgiving attitude have encouraged numerous people of all ages to "take to the water" for those precious leisure hours while providing those with a competitive spirit with a bonafide compromise between the thrill of racing and the lure of cruising.

Ask many of the experts now racing larger boats and they tell you it all started with the ENSIGN. Ask present ENSIGN owners, they tell you how difficult it is to find another boat that dollar for dollar represents the real value they presently enjoy.

If the ENSIGN will be your first boat, you can start with confidence — confidence in your boat and your investment. If it's your next boat you can rest assured that she will bring out the best of your experience.

Consider what has made the Ensign so popular… a large eight foot cockpit with full length teak seats so perfect for the safety and convenience of a large family; a twin-berth cuddy cabin with optional head for those overnights or weekends; national recognition as a one-design racing class; longevity of manufacturer; strict class rules for uniformity; Pearson Quality!

Pearson Yachts Inc. 1979

Ensign … one design sensation

Pearson Yachts 1961

Pearson Ensign – by the Numbers

Hover on hyperlink for definitions

• Construction Detail

Rev 9 - 26-Feb-1992

Standard Equipment

CONSTRUCTION: Hull and deck are integrally molded fiberglass laminate construction (hand lay-up) with bonded bulkheads. Deck is balsa-core fiberglass for strength, rigidity, and insulation. Teak coamings with winch mount areas. Teak seats and cockpit sole.

HARDWARE AND DECK FITTINGS: Chromeplated brass or bronze, stainless steel and special marine alloys. Stainless steel stemhead fittings, backstay and shroud chainplates. Bow cleats with chocks (P &S), stern cleats (P &S). Two fixed ports.

SPARS: MAST: Anodized aluminum 6061-T6 alloy with aluminum spreaders. Rigging fittings of stainless steel and aluminum alloy. Cleats for main, jib and downhaul. Gooseneck track, sail track and gate.

BOOM: Anodized aluminum 6061-T6 alloy with standard gooseneck, slide, topping lift fitting and mainsheet blocks.

STANDING RIGGING: Seven/eighths foretriangle rig (fractional). Stainless steel 1 x 19 construction with swaged tru-loc end fittings. Turnbuckles on all shrouds and stays. Toggles on headstay and shrouds.

RUNNING RIGGING: Main and jib halyards of 7 x 19 stainless steel wire with Dacron tails (spliced). Dacron jib and main sheets. Jib sheet lead blocks and cleats. Main sheet blocks and cleats.

INTERIOR: Provision for two full-length bunks in cuddy cabin.

SAFETY EQUIPMENT: All standing rigging and spars are grounded for lightning protection. Non-skid deck and cabin top.

Pearson Yachts Inc. 1962

Ensign Class Association

The Ensign Class Association was founded in 1962. It is one of the strongest national organizations in the country, with numerous local fleets from coast to coast.

The objectives of the assocation:

• To promote and develop Ensign Class racing under uniform rules.
• To rigidly maintain the one-design features of the Ensign.
• To promote use of the Ensign as a family boat for recreational sailing.
• To educate the public, and particularly the youth, in sailing and sailboat racing.

Features described by the association:

• It's a great looking boat, with classic lines, and a wonderfully large, deep cockpit where passengers feel comfortable, safe, and secure.
• It has a sail plan that achieves hull speed in breezes as low as eight to ten knots, and a full keel that delivers performance when the boat is sailed flat, and forgiveness when allowed to heel.
• It is a strong, durable boat, affordable to buy and easy to sell.
• There are not many designs that get everything so right
• For these reasons, the Ensign, on January 25th, 2002, was the first boat inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame.

Ensign Resources

• Pearson Ensign One-Page Flyer
• Ensign Drawing
• Line Drawing
• Ensign Specifications
• Factory Installed Equipment
• Factory Options

Ensign On The Web

• Class Association - Ensign Class
• Ship's Store - Ensign Class
• Ensign Classic - EnsignSpars.com
• The Pearson Ensign - MainBoats.com Fleet 67
• Ensign Fleet 72 - SailSaratoga.org
• Pearson Ensign - Wikipedia.com
• Restoration of #1484 - Eraser
• Invictus #748 - Ensign Class Story
• The Other Woman - Ensign Class Story
• Ensign Specs - SailBoatData.com
• Pearson Info - dan.pfeiffer.net
• American Sailboat Hall of Fame - Archive.org

Pearson Ensign Brochures

Click to enlarge

First impressions First impressions are long lasting, even if they do date their authors when revealed. There was a well-kept Pearson 26 moored just down the dock from my family's Sabre 28 on the Clinton River in Mount Clemens, Michigan. We're talking back in the early '70s. I remember clearly (despite my tender age) how it had a putrid green deck and cabintop. Seasick green we dubbed it. The Pearson 26 was one of the first boats available in different colors, and the shades offered were interesting to say the least. Still I liked the lines of the P26 then and continue to appreciate them today. The qualities that led to Pearson's popularity are evident in the 26. It is solidly constructed, handles well when the wind pipes up and is extremely user-friendly. It is also an excellent value. The P26 has a modest sheer, typical of the times, and an unobtrusive stair step in the cabintop that provides headroom and light below. The Weekender and the One-Design have a straight cabintop and consequently about 5 feet of headroom. The clean, gentle entry has a fair amount of overhang and leads to a rather flat forefoot. The fin keel is swept back as is the spade rudder. Displacement is 5,400 pounds, with 2,200 pounds of iron ballast providing a 40 percent ballast-to-displacement ratio, which partially accounts for the boat's stiffness. Sail area is 321 square feet, translating into an SA/D ratio of 16.6, a classic so-called coastal cruiser. Beam is a generous 8 feet, 8 inches and the draft is 4 feet. The sloop rig has an air draft of just over 35 feet. The boat motors smartly with a 9.9-horsepower outboard.

Construction The Pearson 26 construction varies a bit from early boats like the Ariel, Wanderer and Pearson Alberg 35. Production techniques were becoming more efficient and Pearson didn't hesitate to employ them. The hull is solid fiberglass, and like almost all boats of that time, the deck is balsa cored. In fact, Everett Pearson was a pioneer in developing end-grain balsa as a coring material. The P26 makes use of molded liners, which are a blessing and a curse. While liners streamline production and offer a bit of hull rigidity and uniformity, they make accessing wiring and hull fittings very difficult and can also give the boat a sterile look. The hull-and-deck joint is on an outward flange, sealed, through-bolted and covered with a vinyl rubrail. What is interesting about this joint is that it is fiberglassed from the inside. This makes it watertight, and few 26 owners complain about leaking hull-and-deck joints. However, the external joint is exposed to damage from smacking into docks and other things that boats occasionally smack into. If production efficiencies were responsible for this joint, then I would understand because it is easier to manufacture boats with external flanges. However, glassing over the joint from the inside is anything but efficient, and we all know what a bother vinyl rubrails can be. Still, it's important to note that few 26 owners mention problems and replacement rails are available. The keel is cast iron, which is something of a maintenance headache, and externally fastened with eight hefty bolts.

What to look for If you are considering a P26, the first thing to look for is Dan Pfeiffer's Web page. It can be found at www.en.com/users/danp/boat/boat.htmor by searching for Pearson 26. Other P26 owners refer to Pfeiffer as "The Guru," and his site contains an incredible amount of detail about the boat, so be certain to check it out. He has an owner's page with comments from many P26 owners, both past and present, which is very informative. Naturally, with so many boats floating about, most problems have been well documented, as have most solutions to those problems. Let's first take a look at some changes made during 13 years of production. In 1975 the Weekender first went on the market. This model has the identical hull shape of the P26, but the cockpit is a couple of feet longer and the cabintop is a bit shorter, reducing interior volume. If you plan to strictly daysail the Weekender or the later One-Design, which had slightly tighter sheeting angles, might be the models to look for. Also in 1975, a separate shelf was added in the port locker for fuel tank storage. This was an important addition since it was otherwise possible for gas fumes to end up in the bilge. The Weekender was phased out in 1976 and the P26 One-Design was offered until the last year of production in 1983. According to Pfeiffer and most P26 owners, the biggest maintenance issue on the boat is the rudder shaft and bearings. The rudder itself is a rather heavy blade made of solid fiberglass, and the stock is aluminum, a poor choice of material since it's soft and subject to wear. Fortunately, the problem has been around for a long time and many 26 owners have replaced the rudder and/or the bearings that slowly eat away at the stock, particularly on the bottom bearings. When evaluating a P26 be sure to carefully check the rudder stock when the boat is out of the water. New bearings can help solve the problem, and if necessary, a new rudder with a stainless stock can be purchased from Foss Foam Products, in Warwick, Rhode Island. Other items to check for are a delaminated cockpit sole, keel bolt corrosion, keel corrosion and faulty wiring. There is also a plywood core under the maststep on deck that may be rotten. Of course, all age related items, from standing and running rigging to tired sails and outboard motors, should be inspected. Be wary of bargains, especially if you want to spend your time on the water, not in the yard bringing the boat up to speed.

On deck The Pearson 26 has a roomy, relatively comfortable cockpit for three or four adults. As noted earlier, the Weekender and One-Design have slightly larger cockpits. All boats came with tiller steering, although I am sure somewhere in the world there is a 26 retrofitted with wheel steering. There are two sail lockers for storage, and the mainsheet traveler is aft, allowing for end-boom sheeting, which keeps the cockpit clear. There is not much of a bridgedeck-basically just a sill-but this is not a boat intended for offshore sailing. The cockpit seats are low and visibility from the helm over the deckhouse is not great, especially if you're short. The tradeoff is more room below and a drier boat. There are teak handrails on the raised section of the deckhouse and double lifelines with well-supported stanchions. The boat feels bigger than 26 feet when you make your way forward. The nonskid may be quite worn and not particularly effective, although older Pearsons have aged well and you don't see the gelcoat crazing and cracking common on other boats. The mast is deck stepped, with a compression post below. Look carefully for a depression at the step; it may be sign of delamination. The genoa tracks allow for decent sheeting angles and many boats will be set up to fly spinnakers.

Down below Few people buy the Pearson 26 for its spacious accommodations below. However, the interior plan is well-thought-out, and the boat has more room than you might think. Dropping below, the first thing you'll notice is the headroom, about 5 feet, 10 inches by my estimate. The galley is to port and the icebox faces forward, with the nav station opposite and the settee serving as the seat. Other details may vary as owners have made changes over the years. The boat I recently climbed through here in Ft. Lauderdale had a two-burner stove and sink facing aft. Most boats have a dinette arrangement to port in the saloon, which is a good use of space in a small boat. This can usually be converted into a double bunk. There is a straight settee to starboard with storage lockers behind. The head and hanging locker are private, with a large V-berth forward. Many boats have a 22-gallon water tank under the forward berth. Teak trim accents the molded white finish, and the overall effect is rather cozy. Two large ports light the saloon, while two smaller ports are in the head compartment. If you live where it's warm, converting these into opening portlights would be a good idea. There is a hatch over the forward cabin. The boat was designed for an outboard motor, with a built-in motor well eliminating the need to mount a bracket astern and providing a solid, midtransom mounting platform. The fuel tank storage shelf accommodates a standard 6-gallon plastic tank rather nicely. The boat handles well under power, using the tiller for steering and the rudder can be completely turned around for control in reverse. Today's outboards, especially four-strokes, are quiet, clean and reliable. They're also convenient. If you have a problem, you can toss the engine in the trunk and take it the mechanic. Although it is rare, I have heard of P26s fitted with inboards.

Under way Owner comments reflect the forgiving nature of the P26. It's an ideal first "big" boat because it's easy to sail and will stand up in gusty conditions. The helmsperson can control the tiller and sheets, and with a bit of experience, it's ideal for singlehanding. Pfeiffer refutes the notion that the boat develops weather helm, arguing that if sailed on its lines and not wildly overcanvassed it is not an issue. The shape of the hull supports his claim as the P26 has a flat forefoot; the only effect of heeling will be to create leeway. The rudder is also large and located well aft, which serves to reduce helm. Several owners report that they race their boats locally under PHRF. By all accounts they perform best when the wind is more than 10 knots. The P26 needs a headsail, since performance is marginal under main alone, and a large 130- to 150-percent genoa can be carried upwind with a full main in winds to about 15 knots. At that point shortening up the headsail flattens the boat and keeps the speed up. Most owners tie a reef in the main as the apparent wind inches toward 20 knots. The P26 handles well off the wind, and several owners describe surfing downwind at near double-digit speeds.

Conclusion The Pearson 26 is an ideal boat to test the waters, so to speak, to see if sailing is indeed something you might enjoy. If you find you can't get enough time on the water, the P26 is not a boat you will quickly outgrow. It pleases on a variety of levels. With prices ranging from $6,000 to $9,000, it is hard to go wrong with this popular American-built favorite.

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• Pearson Rhodes 41
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• Allied Princess 36

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Experience with Pearson 39-2 deck recore or similar models

• Thread starter lshingledecker
• Start date Aug 8, 2020
• Brand-Specific Forums

lshingledecker

I have a purchase contract for a Pearson 39-2. The deck is in need of recoring along the edge of the deck. I am pretty certain of the steps in the process but am seeking professional quotes to have this done. Is there anyone who has done this (by themselves or by a pro) that can share experience on the process? What were the findings, did you re-use the toe rails and edge capping, how was the deck finished when done (presumably non skid paint). Approximate pricing?  

1987 Pearson 39-2 Deck issue and owners Manual

Pearson 39-2 survey

Deck delamination / core problems [archive] - pearson ariel association forums.

I recored my 36-2. I bought all new rub rails, cut top off and ripped all core on deck from cockpit to foredeck where it was nice and dry. Used nida core instead of balsa. Job came out pretty good. Guy who did the job made a reverse mold of the nonskid pattern (which is still available) and epoxied it down. Also did solid material under the stanchions. Looking back I would have done a few different things but overall big job and ended up looking great. Greg  

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