Pearson 26

About the Pearson 26

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Built

1970–1983

Builder

Pearson Yachts

Designer

William Shaw

Waterline

21.67 ft

Draft

4 ft

Displacement

5,400 lb

Ballast

2,200 lb

Hull

fiberglass

Hull / keel

fin keel

Rig

sloop

Propulsion

outboard

Water

22 gal

Stern thruster

none

Steering

tiller

Sources disagree on number built, length, beam — left blank rather than guessed.

Almost all were built with an outboard well; Pearson recommended a 6-10 hp long-shaft outboard. Balsa-cored deck over a solid hand-laid hull; iron ballast. Related 26 Weekender (longer cockpit) and 26 One Design (262 built, 200 lb lighter). Hull count and exact LOA/beam differ slightly between sources (see disputed). Some hulls built in League City, TX.

Known problems for this model

• Hull-deck joint leaks deck
  The inward-flange joint was sealed with silicone that has broken down over time, so leaks at the joint under the vinyl rubrail are widely reported.
  practical-sailor.com
• Worn rudder bearings steering
  The nylon rudder-tube bearings wear with heavy use or silty water and owners report replacing them often; check for rudder play.
  practical-sailor.com
• Iron keel rust and keel-joint cracks hull
  The bolted external iron keel was often poorly prepped and rusts, and cracks at the hull-keel joint are common; the cracks are usually cosmetic but keel bolts should be inspected.
  practical-sailor.com
• Wet core near mast support beam deck
  The deck-stepped mast sits over a beam near the forward hatch; water entry there can delaminate the balsa-cored deck, and both ends of the compression post should be checked.
  practical-sailor.com

Other Pearson models

• Pearson 30 1971–1981
• Pearson 323 1976–1983
• Pearson 34 1983–1986
• Pearson 35 1968–1982
• Pearson 365 1976–1982