1971–1981 · designed by Bill Shaw · built by Pearson Yachts
Bill Shaw-designed production fin-keel coastal cruiser. Masthead sloop rig, moderately heavy displacement for its LOA, conservative deck plan. Designed as a mid-priced family weekender / coastal cruiser at a time when Pearson was competing directly with Catalina, Cal, and O'Day for the 30-foot US market. Built in Bristol, Rhode Island; Pearson Yachts is long defunct.
This is a general read on the Pearson 30 class — informed
background, not a verdict on any individual boat. Condition, refit history,
and how a particular hull was sailed and stored matter far more than class
reputation. Use it to know what to look for; for a read on a specific
listing, run a free FairKeel report on that boat.
Bill Shaw / Pearson reputation for solid layup — these hulls were heavier-built than many contemporaries (Catalina 30, Cal 29) and have generally aged well.
Balanced sailing manners. Forgiving helm, predictable in a blow, well-mannered under reefed sail.
Affordable entry point into a capable coastal cruiser. Used prices typically sit below Catalina 30 contemporaries despite similar capability.
Known trade-offs
Builder defunct — no factory parts support. Owners network and salvage are the primary sources for unique Pearson hardware.
Balsa-cored deck is the recurring class concern. A hull with no recent deck-core inspection / repair should be priced accordingly.
Original Atomic 4 still on many hulls — the repower-history split is the biggest single price-differentiator in the used market.
Age-related quirks to expect
Original Atomic 4 gasoline engine on most hulls — diesel repower history is the biggest price-differentiatorMedium1971-1981
Deck core moisture — balsa-cored deck on most hulls; stanchion bases + chainplate openings are recurring leak pathsMediumall (age-driven)
Original wiring + 110V shore-power panel undersized by modern standardsLowall
Pearson Yachts defunct since 1991 — no factory parts support; replacement hardware sourced from owner network and salvageLowall (post-1991)
Systems to check before you buy
Engine (Atomic 4 vs. diesel repower history)priority: coastal, weekending
Original Atomic 4 (gasoline) on most hulls. Many have been repowered with Yanmar 2GM20, Universal M-25, or Beta Marine equivalents. An unrepowered Atomic 4 at 45+ years should be assumed effectively at end of life — gasoline auxiliaries are increasingly unwelcome in marinas and insurance underwriting.
Balsa-cored deck on most hulls. Stanchion bases, genoa-track fasteners, chainplate openings, and the mast-step area (deck-stepped mast) are the recurring water-ingress paths. Moisture-meter survey is non-negotiable. Localised repair is affordable; widespread coring failure is a project-boat outcome.
Original wire + chainplates on most older hulls. Chainplates are stainless steel through bulkheads — leak paths into the bulkhead cores are the typical failure mode. Mast is deck-stepped so compression at the deck mast-step area is a separate item to check.
Original cockpit-drain hoses and through-hulls have typically not been replaced on 50-year-old hulls. The cockpit drain path is a critical safety system for any boat going offshore or in heavy weather; budget replacement during any major refit.
How it fits your plans
Coastal
Sweet spot. Forgiving, well-built for its era, predictable. A reasonable first-boat for someone learning coastal cruising on a budget.
Offshore
NOT designed for offshore work. Fin-keel + spade rudder + production-era coastal build. Owners have crossed oceans in Pearson 30s, but it's swimming upstream of the design intent.
Liveaboard
Workable for short-term coastal liveaboard. Tankage is modest; interior volume is tight by modern standards.
Weekending
Excellent. Designed for it.
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