Pearson 26
Built 1970–1983 by Pearson Yachts
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
- not fitted
- Steering
- tiller
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel unknown
“standard 6-gallon plastic” — search excerpt, sailingmagazine.net · “a 5-gallon fuel tank fits” — search excerpt, practical-sailor.comOutboard boat with a motor well. Both figures describe a portable outboard fuel can that fits on the shelf or in the lazarette, not a built-in tank, so no capacity is given.
-
Water 22 gal
“FRESH WATER CAPACITY 22 gal. 83.27 l” — brochure (1981), pearsonyachts.org · “22-gallon water tank” — search excerpt, listingsport.comTank under the V-berth.
-
Water heater unknown
“TANKS & PLUMBING: 22 gal. fresh water tank ... Portable toilet system; galley unit with stainless steel sink and manual” — brochure, pearsonyachts.orgPearson's brochure specification lists only a manual galley pump and a 22 gal tank, with no pressure water or heater; factory options are referred to a separate price sheet not found.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
The Pearson 26 brochure specification page lists no thruster; options are referred to a separate price sheet, which was not found.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Our earlier figure of none has no source, and nothing was found either way.
-
Steering tiller
“HARDWARE & DECK FITTINGS: ... Bow pulpit and lifelines. Tiller steering.” — brochure, pearsonyachts.orgBuilder brochure specifications list tiller steering.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
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.
Generator
Brochure specification mentions no generator (the standard boat has a transom well for an optional outboard).
Manuals and brochures online
- Brochure Pearson 26 sales brochure (1981) — pearsonyachts.org
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
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
Model sources (4)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · pearsonyachts.org · pearsonyachts.org
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Other Pearson models
- Pearson 30 1971–1981
- Pearson 323 1976–1983
- Pearson 34 1983–1986
- Pearson 35 1968–1982
- Pearson 365 1976–1982
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.