The Pearson 33 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Pearson 33, a heavy-displacement cruiser, was designed by William Shaw and manufactured by Pearson Yachts in the United States during the years 1969 to 1975.

'Stratocruiser', a Person 33MkII, at anchor

The Pearson 33 - this one is the later MkII version also known as the Pearson 33-2

Published Specification for the Pearson 33

Keel & Rudder Configuration: Centreboard keel with fully supported keel.
Hull Material: Fiberglass.
Length Overall: 32'11" (10m).*
Waterline Length: 25'10" (7.85m).*
Beam: 10'0" (3.05m).*
Draft: 7'7" (2.30m) with centreboard down, 4'0" (1.22m) with in up.*
Rig Type: Masthead sloop.
Displacement: 10,930 pounds (4,950 kilograms).*
Ballast: 4,200 pounds (1,905 kilograms).*
Sail Area: 485ft² (45.3m²).
Water Tank Capacity: 40 gallons (151 liters).
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20 gallons (75.7 liters).
Hull Speed: 7.4 knots.
Designer: William Shaw.
Builder: Pearson Yachts.
Year First Built: 1969.
Year Last Built: 1975.
Number Built: Approximately 1,000.

* Used to derive the design ratios referred to later in this article - here's how they're calculated...

Options & Alternatives

There was one notable later version of the Pearson 33 sailboat - the Pearson 33-2. The essential differences between the original Pearson 33 and the Pearson 33-2 are:

Keel Design: The Pearson 33-2 featured a wing keel, which provided better performance and handling compared to the original's centreboard keel.

Hull Shape: The Pearson 33-2 had a modern hull shape with a more pleasing sheerline.

Interior Layout: The Pearson 33-2 had an updated interior layout with an enclosed aft cabin for owners/skippers and enclosed V-berths forward for guests, offering maximum privacy.

Rigging: The Pearson 33-2 had a modern rig with double swept-back spreaders for improved mast control and mid-boom sheeting, allowing for the use of a dodger or sailing awning when underway.

Reefing System: The Pearson 33-2 featured a continuous reefing system with all halyards led aft, allowing for reefing the mainsail without leaving the cockpit.

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Sail Areas & Rig Dimensions

Total sail area: 485ft² (45.3m²).
I (Foretriangle height): 11.4m (37'5")
J (Foretriangle base): 3.7m (12'1")
P (Mast height): 9.9m (32'6")
E (Boom length): 4.5m (14'9")

Published Design Ratios
The Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

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Sail Area to Displacement (SA/D) Ratio of 16.0: This suggests the Pearson 33 has a moderate sail plan relative to its weight. It indicates that the boat should perform well in a variety of wind conditions, offering a good balance between speed and stability. It's not an overly powerful racer but rather designed for comfortable cruising with decent performance.

Ballast to Displacement Ratio of 38.43%: This indicates that the Pearson 33 has a relatively high amount of ballast compared to its overall displacement, contributing to its stability and stiffness. A higher ballast ratio generally means a better righting moment, which helps the boat stand up better to stronger winds without excessive heeling.

Displacement to Length (D/L) Ratio of 284: This ratio places the Pearson 33 in the heavier displacement category, typical of many cruising sailboats of this era. It suggests the boat will have a comfortable motion in a seaway, be relatively forgiving in heavy weather, and offer a smooth ride rather than a bouncy, high-speed performance.

Comfort Ratio of 28.15: This is a measure of how comfortable the boat will be in rough conditions. The Pearson 33’s ratio is on the higher side, indicating that it will provide a more stable and comfortable experience for the crew when offshore and in choppy waters.

Capsize Ratio of 1.81: This ratio is a key indicator of a sailboat's safety offshore. With a capsize ratio below 2.0, the Pearson 33 is considered seaworthy and capable of handling rough conditions without being overly prone to capsizing.

In summary, the Pearson 33 is a well-rounded cruiser, offering a balanced mix of performance, stability, and comfort. It's designed to provide a safe, enjoyable sailing experience, making it suitable for both coastal cruising and longer passages.

The above design ratios are fairly typical for a for a heavy-displacement cruiser of this type and can be interpreted to provide an indication of such a vessel's likely sailing characteristics - however they have their limitations:

The design ratios are static measurements which don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.

They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.

The context in which the boat is intended to be used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

Consequently, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.

More Specs & Key Performance Indicators for Popular Cruising Boats

30' to 35'

35' to 40'

40' to 45'

45' to 50'

50' to 55'

Over 55'

This article was written with the assistance of Copilot, a large language model developed by Microsoft. Copilot was used to gather information, summarize research findings, and provide suggestions for the content and structure of the article.