Pearson 37 Race

Description

The Pearson 37 Race is the performance-optimized variant of the Pearson 37, a fiberglass racer-cruiser designed under IOR (International Offshore Rule) influences for competitive fleet racing while providing solid cruising capabilities. Featuring a sleek hull with pinched ends and a bustle for reduced wetted surface, it prioritizes upwind pointing, light-air acceleration, and balanced handling. The "Race" designation highlights its lighter build options, larger sail plan (including oversized spinnakers), and racing-specific tweaks like a high-aspect mainsail, distinguishing it slightly from standard cruising configurations. Owners value its durability, spacious cockpit, and ability to double as a comfortable coastal cruiser. Introduced in 1981 by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the Pearson 37 was designed by William H. Shaw as a bridge between the yard's heavier offshore boats and modern racer-cruisers. Approximately 42 units were built through 1986, with the Race version emphasizing IOR/PHRF competitiveness—tank-tested for hydrodynamics and often rated as low as 99 PHRF. It predates the more cruiser-focused Pearson 37-2 (1987–1989), which featured a beamier hull, wing keel, and self-tacking jib. Pearson's closure in 1991 ended production, but the 37 Race endures in club racing circuits, with many examples upgraded for mixed use.