Pearson 31-2

Description

The Pearson 31-2 is a versatile coastal cruiser and occasional club racer, blending modern performance with practical liveaboard comforts in a sub-31-foot hull. Designed by Bill Shaw as a successor to the original Pearson 31 (1977), it features a masthead sloop rig with ample sail area for spirited sailing, a fin keel (or optional shoal-draft wing keel) for balanced handling, and a spade rudder for responsiveness. Ideal for couples or small families on weekend getaways or extended coastal hops, it offers a secure cockpit, roomy interior with teak accents, and solid fiberglass construction. Owners praise its stability in chop, easy short-handed operation, and value as a "starter" bluewater-capable boat, though its age often reveals deck core issues. With a PHRF around 156-165, it's nimble enough for local races but shines as a forgiving trainer. Introduced in 1987 by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the 31-2 was Bill Shaw's refined take on the earlier Pearson 31, incorporating contemporary styling like contoured deck seats and a powerful rig while retaining Pearson's reputation for durable, family-friendly cruisers. Shaw, who joined Pearson in 1964 and became chief designer, aimed for a "compact passagemaker" with racer heritage, drawing from his Sparkman & Stephens roots. Production ran through 1991, yielding 268 hulls before the factory closed—hull #268 was the last. A brief revival in 1996 under Cal-Pearson Corp. added a handful more, but the model ended with Pearson's full shutdown in 1991. Today, the Pearson Yachts Owners Portal (pearsonyachts.org) and forums like SailNet support the fleet, with many boats upgraded for cruising.