Pearson 23
Description
The Pearson 23 is a compact, trailerable fiberglass sailboat designed as an entry-level cruiser for weekend getaways, day sailing, and short coastal trips. With its simple masthead sloop rig and optional centerboard for shallow drafts, it offers easy trailering (under 3,000 lb dry) and quick setup, making it ideal for sailors without permanent moorings. Built to Pearson's high standards, it balances performance with basic liveaboard comfort, though it's more of a "pocket cruiser" than a full bluewater vessel. Designed by William H. Shaw and introduced in 1978 by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the Pearson 23 targeted trailer enthusiasts seeking quality without complexity. Production ran until 1981, with about 42 units built—far fewer than larger Pearson models, reflecting its niche appeal. It emphasized a straightforward rig for fast launching and was constructed to the same engineering specs as Pearson's bigger boats. A variant, the Pearson 23C (1983–1984), swapped the sloop for a free-standing cat rig with about 15 units produced, prioritizing even simpler handling. Pearson ceased operations in 1991, but the 23 remains a cult favorite for its affordability and seaworthiness in protected waters.
Construction Details
| Designer | William H. "Bill" Shaw |
|---|---|
| Builder | Pearson Yachts |
| Length | 23.000 ft |
| LOA | 23.000 ft |
| LWL | 20.000 ft |
| Beam | 7.980 ft |
| Displacement | 3500 lb |
| Ballast | 1300 lb |
| Max Draft | 5.170 ft |
| Min Draft | 2.330 ft |
| Year Built | 1978 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 28.51 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 9.33 ft |
| p | 24.33 ft |
| e | 8 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28.51 ft | 9.33 ft | 24.33 ft | 8 ft | - | - | - | - |
Documents
Sails
Pearson 23 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 24.33 ft - (7416 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 8 ft - (2438 mm) |
| Leech | * 25.18 ft - (7675 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 25.34 ft - (7724 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 3.5 in - (89 mm) |
| Area | * 100.34 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 23 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 24 ft - (7315 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 12.41 ft - (3783 mm) |
| Leech | * 20.75 ft - (6325 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115.01 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 10.73 ft - (3271 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12.06 ° |
| Area | * 128.74 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 23 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | 24.75 ft - (7544 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 11.5 ft - (3505 mm) |
| Leech | 22 ft - (6706 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 109.54 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 10.22 ft - (3115 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 9.15 ° |
| Area | * 126.5 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 23 - GENOA
| Luff | 28.5 ft - (8687 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 15 ft - (4572 mm) |
| Leech | 27 ft - (8230 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 149.95 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 13.99 ft - (4264 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.01 ° |
| Area | * 199.38 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 23 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | 30 ft - (9144 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 16.5 ft - (5029 mm) |
| Leech | 27.5 ft - (8382 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 371 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 23 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 28.5 ft - (8687 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 16.79 ft - (5118 mm) |
| Foot | * 16.79 ft - (5118 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 407 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.