Pearson 386 (sloop rig)

Description

The Pearson 386 Sloop is a performance-oriented aft-cockpit cruising sailboat designed for coastal and offshore passages, blending racer-like handling with liveaboard comforts in a 38-foot hull. As the aft-cockpit counterpart to the center-cockpit Pearson 385, it offers better visibility, a larger cockpit for socializing, and lighter displacement for sprightlier performance under the single-mast sloop rig. The sloop configuration emphasizes simplicity with a large roller-furling genoa for light-air power and easy tacking, making it suitable for couples or small crews. Owners laud its balanced helm, dry ride, and spacious teak interior, though its age requires attention to rigging and cosmetics. While many 386s were built as cutters (with an inner forestay for staysail versatility), the sloop remains the most straightforward and common setup for casual cruising. Designed by William H. Shaw in 1983, the Pearson 386 launched in 1984 as an evolution of the 385, relocating the cockpit aft for enhanced sail control and lounging while incorporating a taller rig and refined hull for better speed. Produced by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, from 1984 to 1985, approximately 52 hulls were built—most as sloops, with cutters as a popular option for heavy-weather flexibility (exact sloop/cutter split undocumented, but sloops dominate listings). This short run reflected Pearson's final years before the 1986 closure due to market shifts. The design drew acclaim in reviews for bridging cruiser-racer gaps, with survivors often upgraded for bluewater use. The Pearson Yachts Owners Portal (pearsonyachts.org) provides brochures, forums, and registries for support.