Pearson Countess (ketch rig)
Description
The Pearson Countess 44 Ketch is a classic fiberglass offshore cruiser renowned for its seaworthiness, luxurious accommodations, and traditional lines, blending the elegance of a John Alden design with Pearson's robust construction. As a heavy-displacement, full-keel ketch, it offers exceptional stability for long passages, with a divided sail plan that simplifies handling for short crews. The ketch rig reduces weather helm and allows versatile sail combinations, making it ideal for bluewater voyages or coastal exploration while providing motor-sailer comforts like ample power and space. Designed by the legendary John G. Alden office (design #989) and introduced in 1965 by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the Countess 44 was marketed as a "fast, able sailing yacht with the plush accommodations of a luxury motor-sailor." Production ran until 1970, with 59 units built—reflecting its niche appeal to serious cruisers seeking Alden's timeless aesthetic in a production boat. Aluminum masts and spruce booms were standard, with a gasoline auxiliary (Gray 6-109, 109 HP) and optional Ford diesel. A sloop rig variant was available, but the ketch dominated for its balance. Tank-tested for offshore capability, it influenced later Alden-inspired designs, though Pearson's closure in 1991 ended support—owner associations now preserve its legacy.
Construction Details
| Designer | John G. Alden |
|---|---|
| Builder | Pearson Yachts |
| Length | 44.500 ft |
| LOA | 44.500 ft |
| LWL | 39.500 ft |
| Beam | 12.000 ft |
| Displacement | 25000 lb |
| Ballast | 8000 lb |
| Max Draft | 5.330 ft |
| Year Built | 1965 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 48 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 15.20 ft |
| p | 42 ft |
| e | 17.50 ft |
| p2 | 23 ft |
| e2 | 12 ft |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 48 ft | 15.20 ft | 42 ft | 17.50 ft | 23 ft | 12 ft | - | - |
Sails
Pearson Countess (ketch rig) - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 42 ft - (12802 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 17.5 ft - (5334 mm) |
| Leech | * 44.65 ft - (13609 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 44.93 ft - (13695 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 376.55 ft² |
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Pearson Countess (ketch rig) - JIBSAIL
| Luff | * 40.28 ft - (12277 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 20.1 ft - (6126 mm) |
| Leech | * 35.03 ft - (10677 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 17.48 ft - (5328 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12.01 ° |
| Area | * 352.04 ft² |
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Pearson Countess (ketch rig) - GENOA
| Luff | * 47.83 ft - (14579 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 24.52 ft - (7474 mm) |
| Leech | * 45.01 ft - (13719 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 22.8 ft - (6949 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 4.02 ° |
| Area | * 545.26 ft² |
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Pearson Countess (ketch rig) - GENOA
| Luff | 46.5 ft - (14173 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 22 ft - (6706 mm) |
| Leech | 43.75 ft - (13335 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 135.13 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 20.54 ft - (6261 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.4 ° |
| Area | * 477.63 ft² |
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Pearson Countess (ketch rig) - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | * 47.83 ft - (14579 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 25.08 ft - (7644 mm) |
| Leech | * 44 ft - (13411 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 900 ft² |
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Pearson Countess (ketch rig) - MIZZEN
| Luff | * 23 ft - (7010 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 12 ft - (3658 mm) |
| Leech-AftHdBd | * 25.52 ft - (7778 mm) |
| Tack Ang | * 88 ° |
| Diag (clew/head) | * 25.57 ft - (7794 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 5.25 in - (133 mm) |
| Area (no Roach) | * 143.47 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.