BoatsPearson Yachts 30

Pearson Yachts 30

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1971–1981

A prolific Bill Shaw design with over 1,000 built, this masthead sloop features a fin keel and spade rudder

Designed by William H. Shaw.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

See her sail

The Pearson Yachts 30, on the water

The fleet's own footage — the truest look at how she really moves.

Footage from Practical Sailor

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 24 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 24
CoastalBluewater

1.88 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.88
LightHeavy

238 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 238
EasygoingPowered-up

17.4 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 17.4
TenderStiff

43% of her weight is ballast — stiff, standing up well to her sails.

Ballast 43%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

What the fleet has seen

The Pearson Yachts 30, as the fleet has seen it

Derived from the videos the fleet has analysed of this model. ▶ marks open the moment aboard.

The Pearson Yachts 30 is a masthead sloop designed by William H. Shaw and built by Pearson Yachts from 1971 to 1981, with over 1000 units produced.2:28 This 9.1-meter sailboat, with a 2.9-meter beam and 1.5-meter draft, features a fin keel with a spade rudder and displaces 3773 kg. Early models were equipped with Palmer inboards, though many now require a diesel engine repower to replace the original Atomic 4.3:32 The Pearson 30 is considered an affordable cruising option, but prospective buyers should inspect for soft decks, bulkhead rot, and keel bolt issues.3:15 Lady K Sailing notes that the Pearson 30, like other fiberglass hulls from the 1970s and 1980s, remains structurally sound, but its bolted-on components such as sails, rigging, wiring, engines, cushions, and hardware often degrade and require replacement.1:36

The living fleet

Sailed by the fleet

Where the fleet has filmed this boat.

Seen once across one channel of the fleet.

Basemap © Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

On the water

The Pearson Yachts 30 on video

What they go for

Market signal

Where the fleet has seen this model for sale, and the asking prices that came with it.

1seen for sale
$7,000Median asking

From the fleet's own footage — our observed signal, not broker listings.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
42.8%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.4
Displacement / length
237.7
Comfort ratio
24.3
Capsize screening
1.88
Hull speed
6.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
849
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1971–1981
Units built
1000
Designer
William H. Shaw
Builder
Pearson Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

More boats like her, on the water

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Islander Yachts Bahama 309.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 1973-1985 production masthead sloop sharing its hull with the Islander 30 MKII and featuring a balanced fin keel
Diesel Overheating Dinghy Pump Hack3:07from Practical Sailor
Seafarer Yachts 309.13 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA masthead sloop available with a tall rig and keel centerboard, distinct from the earlier Tripp-designed model
FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD TO VAGABUNDOS BEACH | Living on a sailboat | #SAL #4411:36from Hashtag Sal
C&C Yachts 30-29.12 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA performance-oriented masthead sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, designed by C&C for balanced club racing
Ep. 33 Interview with Richard1:11from Sailing Into Oblivion
Granada Yachts 309.18 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 30-foot fractional sloop with a 1.65-meter draft, designed for balanced, performance-oriented cruising
Capsized in 20-meter waves: Are Wiig on the drama in the Southern Ocean | Bearing on Sailing2:53from SEILmagasinet
CS 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthThe most popular model from CS Yachts, with over 90 units launched in its debut year alone
CS30 Sailboat FULL TOUR ($20,000 - Tiny - Sleeps 6 - Sails Fast - Canadian Sailcraft)from Adventureman Dan
Hunter Boats Horizon 309.14 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA David Thomas-designed fractional sloop with twin keels, offered in kit form for versatile shoal-water cruising
Ultimate Canal Boat Cruising (36 hours in Bruges)0:39from Gone with the Wynns

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Pearson Yachts 33A keel-centerboard masthead sloop with a 2.31-metre maximum draft, designed for versatile performance in varied depthsPearson Yachts 32A masthead sloop with a modified stern, offering a 1.68-metre draft and a 40% ballast ratio for stiff performancePearson Yachts 31A William Shaw-designed fractional sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, built for performance between 1977 and 1981Pearson Yachts 27A shallow-draft wing-keel masthead sloop designed by William Shaw for accessible cruising in shoal watersPearson Yachts 300A William H. Shaw-designed pilothouse motorsailer sharing the long-keel hull of the Wanderer 30Pearson Yachts 28 (1975-80)With a 45% ballast ratio, this masthead sloop offers a stiff, stable platform for coastal sailing.

Keep asking

The fleet has more to say

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