Pearson 37-2
Description
The Pearson 37-2 is a fiberglass cruiser-racer designed for family-oriented coastal and offshore sailing, emphasizing ease of handling, shoal-draft versatility, and home-like comfort. As a redesign of the original Pearson 37, it features a beamier hull, wing keel for shallow-water access, and self-tacking jib for short-handed operation. Built with Pearson's signature durable construction, it balances performance (PHRF ~108) with luxurious interiors, including swivel chairs and entertainment systems—ideal for weekend warriors or extended liveaboards seeking a "second home on the water." Introduced in 1988 as the successor to the 1981 Pearson 37, the 37-2 was designed by William H. Shaw and produced by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, until 1991. Approximately 15 units were built, reflecting a shift toward cruiser-friendly features amid declining demand for pure racer-cruisers. It addressed the original's IOR-inspired tenderness with a more conventional hull, wider beam, and wing keel, while incorporating innovations like a sugar-scoop transom and lazy jacks. Pearson ceased operations in 1991, but the 37-2's blend of seaworthiness and amenities keeps it popular on the used market, with examples often in excellent condition.
Construction Details
| Designer | William H. "Bill" Shaw |
|---|---|
| Builder | Pearson Yachts |
| Length | 37.420 ft |
| LOA | 37.420 ft |
| LWL | 29.580 ft |
| Beam | 12.330 ft |
| Displacement | 16000 lb |
| Ballast | 6000 lb |
| Max Draft | 4.670 ft |
| Year Built | 1988 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 47.25 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 14.25 ft |
| p | 41.67 ft |
| e | 15.62 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47.25 ft | 14.25 ft | 41.67 ft | 15.62 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Pearson 37-2 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 41.67 ft - (12701 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 15.62 ft - (4761 mm) |
| Leech | * 43.71 ft - (13323 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 43.99 ft - (13408 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 334.33 ft² |
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Pearson 37-2 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 39.48 ft - (12034 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 18.7 ft - (5700 mm) |
| Leech | * 34.6 ft - (10546 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115.02 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 16.39 ft - (4996 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12.01 ° |
| Area | * 323.5 ft² |
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Pearson 37-2 - GENOA
| Luff | 45.75 ft - (13945 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 19.75 ft - (6020 mm) |
| Leech | 43.5 ft - (13259 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 130.95 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 18.66 ft - (5688 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 2.3 ° |
| Area | * 426.95 ft² |
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Pearson 37-2 - GENOA
| Luff | * 46.88 ft - (14289 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 22.87 ft - (6971 mm) |
| Leech | * 44.27 ft - (13493 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150.04 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 21.38 ft - (6517 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 4 ° |
| Area | * 501.18 ft² |
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Pearson 37-2 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | * 46.88 ft - (14289 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 23.51 ft - (7166 mm) |
| Leech | * 43.13 ft - (13146 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 827 ft² |
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Pearson 37-2 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 46.88 ft - (14289 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 25.65 ft - (7818 mm) |
| Foot | * 25.65 ft - (7818 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 1022 ft² |
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Pearson 37-2 - STORMJIB
| Luff | * 27.14 ft - (8272 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 10.54 ft - (3213 mm) |
| Leech | * 22.65 ft - (6904 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 60 % |
| Length Perp | * 8.55 ft - (2606 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 19.02 ° |
| Area | * 116.01 ft² |
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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.