Pearson Ensign

Description

The Pearson Ensign (also known as the Ensign 22) is an American trailerable fiberglass sailboat designed by Carl Alberg as a one-design racer and daysailer, first built in 1962 by Pearson Yachts with a fractional sloop rig, full keel for stability, and a large cockpit optimized for family or club racing. At 22.5 ft LOA with a modest 3,000 lb displacement, it features a small cuddy cabin for basic shelter, emphasizing simplicity, low maintenance, and fun performance in protected waters or MORC-style events—ideal for beginners or competitive fleets, with no inboard engine (outboard optional) and easy trailering under 1,500 lb dry weight. In 1959, Pearson Yachts commissioned Carl Alberg—fresh off the Triton 28—to design a 22-foot cruiser suitable for Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC) racing, evolving from the earlier Electra (a masthead-rigged daysailer with ~350 units built 1959–1965). The Ensign modified the Electra by enlarging the cockpit, shrinking the cabin, moving the mast 6 inches forward, increasing mainsail area, and reducing the foretriangle for better balance as a one-design. Debuting as the "Electra Daysailer" in 1962 from Pearson's Portsmouth, Rhode Island facility (under Grumman ownership), it was an instant hit with 219 sold that year, spawning Fleet #1 at Larchmont Yacht Club, NY. Production continued until 1982 (last by Pearson in 1983), totaling 1,776 units—making it the largest full-keel one-design class in North America with over 2,000 boats overall. Fleets proliferated in the 1960s across the U.S. (e.g., Houston, Miami), and today, the Ensign Class Association (ensignclass.com) governs active racing with events like nationals.