Pearson 34-2
Description
The Pearson 34-2 is a fiberglass performance cruiser-racer, serving as an updated shoal-draft evolution of the original Pearson 34, with a wing keel for enhanced stability and accessibility in shallower waters like the ICW or Bahamas. Featuring a masthead sloop rig and spade rudder, it delivers agile handling and upwind prowess while offering generous interior volume for weekend or extended coastal cruising. Designed for ease of short-handed operation, it's valued for its balanced helm, durable construction, and value on the used market—ideal for couples or small families seeking a versatile "go-anywhere" boat under 35 feet. Introduced in 1989 by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the 34-2 was designed by William H. Shaw as a refined successor to the 1983–1986 Pearson 34, incorporating a wing keel for better form stability and optional self-tacking headsail for simplicity. Production ran until 1991, with approximately 10-20 units built, reflecting its niche appeal amid the yard's winding down (Pearson ceased in 1991). A brief revival in 1997 under Cal-Pearson Corp. marketed it as the "Pearson 35," adding a few more hulls before the brand's hiatus. It addressed the original's draft limitations while retaining Shaw's emphasis on performance, earning praise in reviews for its "roomy yet responsive" qualities.
Construction Details
| Designer | William H. "Bill" Shaw |
|---|---|
| Builder | Pearson Yachts |
| Length | 34.500 ft |
| LOA | 34.500 ft |
| LWL | 28.170 ft |
| Beam | 11.500 ft |
| Displacement | 11800 lb |
| Ballast | 4950 lb |
| Max Draft | 4.000 ft |
| Year Built | 1989 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 44.25 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 13 ft |
| p | 38.33 ft |
| e | 13.70 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44.25 ft | 13 ft | 38.33 ft | 13.70 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Pearson 34-2 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 38.33 ft - (11683 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 13.7 ft - (4176 mm) |
| Leech | * 39.97 ft - (12183 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 40.25 ft - (12268 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 270.71 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 36.9 ft - (11247 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 16.99 ft - (5179 mm) |
| Leech | * 32.47 ft - (9897 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 14.95 ft - (4557 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12.01 ° |
| Area | * 275.79 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | 42.75 ft - (13030 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 15.58 ft - (4749 mm) |
| Leech | 39.25 ft - (11963 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 110 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 14.3 ft - (4359 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 7.06 ° |
| Area | * 305.56 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | 44.5 ft - (13564 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 12.67 ft - (3862 mm) |
| Leech | 42.25 ft - (12878 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 92.46 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 12.02 ft - (3664 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 2.02 ° |
| Area | * 267.51 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - GENOA
| Luff | 43.5 ft - (13259 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 18.67 ft - (5691 mm) |
| Leech | 41.25 ft - (12573 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 135.46 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 17.61 ft - (5368 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.02 ° |
| Area | * 383.04 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - GENOA
| Luff | * 43.81 ft - (13353 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 20.8 ft - (6340 mm) |
| Leech | * 41.45 ft - (12634 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 19.5 ft - (5944 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.98 ° |
| Area | * 427.18 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | 44 ft - (13411 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 22 ft - (6706 mm) |
| Leech | 41 ft - (12497 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 726 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 43.81 ft - (13353 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 23.4 ft - (7132 mm) |
| Foot | * 23.4 ft - (7132 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 871 ft² |
| Edit in Calculator | |
Pearson 34-2 - STORMJIB
| Luff | * 25.37 ft - (7733 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 9.57 ft - (2917 mm) |
| Leech | * 21.3 ft - (6492 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 60 % |
| Length Perp | * 7.8 ft - (2377 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 19.06 ° |
| Area | * 98.91 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.