Pearson 26 Weekender

Description

The Pearson 26W, or Weekender, is a fiberglass trailerable sailboat variant of the popular Pearson 26, tailored for leisurely weekend cruising and casual day sailing with a focus on a spacious cockpit and customizable accommodations. Sharing the same proven hull as the standard Pearson 26, it features a masthead sloop rig on a fin keel with spade rudder for responsive handling, emphasizing low maintenance and efficiency for the "gentleman sailor." With its sleek, low-profile deck and enormous cockpit, it's ideal for social sails or short overnights, blending Pearson's structural integrity with modular options for personalization—less racing-oriented than the later One Design but equally seaworthy for coastal waters. Designed by William H. Shaw and produced by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, from 1975 to 1976, the Pearson 26W was introduced as a complementary alternative to the standard Pearson 26 (built 1970–1983), which had already established itself as a versatile racer-cruiser. Rather than replacing the original, the 26W retained the hull from the gunwales down while reimagining the deck and interior for enhanced leisure appeal—shortening the coachroof for a sleek profile and expanding the cockpit. Only a limited number (exact figures unconfirmed but low, given the short run) were built before transitioning to the Pearson 26 One Design (1978–1983), which further refined the racing aspects. Positioned for budget-conscious owners seeking quality without excess, it reflected Pearson's adaptability amid the 1970s trailerable boom. Production ceased with the One Design's evolution, but the 26W's simple, customizable design keeps it sought after for restorations.