Pearson 10M

Description

The Pearson 10M is a sleek, performance-oriented masthead sloop designed for coastal racing and cruising, offering a balance of speed, stability, and comfort in a 33-foot hull. Built during Pearson's golden era of racer-cruisers, it features a fin keel with skeg-hung rudder for protected, responsive steering and a generous sail plan for lively upwind work. Ideal for club racing or family weekends, it points sharply and sails sweetly in moderate winds, with a secure cockpit and surprisingly roomy teak interior for 4-5 aboard. Owners describe it as "built like a tank" with overbuilt construction that ages gracefully, though its age means potential deck core maintenance. With a SA/D of 15.67, it's a spirited moderate cruiser rather than a bluewater tank, excelling in protected waters like the Chesapeake or Great Lakes. Designed by William H. Shaw in 1973, the Pearson 10M (often called the "Ten Meter" for its metric-inspired dimensions) was Pearson Yachts' entry into the growing one-design and handicap racing scene, blending Shaw's Sparkman & Stephens racing pedigree with practical cruising features. Shaw, Pearson's chief designer since the 1960s, aimed for a "sweet-sailing" boat that outperformed contemporaries like the Tartan 34 while offering family-friendly amenities. Built in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, production ran from 1973 to 1981, with 230 hulls completed—a respectable run before the model was eclipsed by larger cruisers like the 323. Engine options evolved from gas Atomic 4s to optional diesels (Faryman, Westerbeke, Volvo) by the late 1970s. A taller rig variant boosted light-air performance. The Pearson Yachts Owners Portal (pearsonyachts.org) and forums like SailNet provide robust support, with many 10Ms still racing or cruising actively.