Built during the early 1970s golden era of fiberglass sailboat manufacturing, this William Shaw-designed cruiser represents Pearson Yachts' commitment to creating robust offshore vessels. With its substantial 21,796-pound displacement and generous 9,152 pounds of ballast, the Pearson 43 delivers the stability and seaworthiness that serious cruising sailors demand. The boat's traditional fin keel with rudder-on-skeg configuration provides excellent directional stability while maintaining good maneuverability under sail and power. Its masthead sloop rig carries 797 square feet of sail area, offering a balanced sail plan that's manageable for small crews yet powerful enough for spirited sailing. The moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.41 indicates this boat prioritizes comfort and control over pure speed. Shaw's design philosophy emphasized seaworthiness over racing performance, evident in the boat's impressive comfort ratio of 36.47 and low capsize screening value of 1.69. These numbers translate to a stiff, comfortable ride in challenging conditions, making the Pearson 43 well-suited for extended coastal cruising and offshore passages. The substantial construction and conservative design earned these boats a reputation for reliability among blue-water cruisers during their brief four-year production run from 1969 to 1972.
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What is the Pearson 43's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Pearson 43 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.41. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Pearson 43's comfort ratio?
The Pearson 43 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 36.47. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Pearson 43 safe for offshore sailing?
The Pearson 43 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.69. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Pearson 43?
The theoretical hull speed of the Pearson 43 is 7.49 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Pearson 43 weigh?
The Pearson 43 has a displacement of 21,796.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 42.75 ft.
Who designed the Pearson 43?
The Pearson 43 was designed by William Shaw, first built in 1969.