The Pearson 30 is an American
sailboat that was designed by
William Shaw as a
cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several roles.
The term "cruiser", which has been in use for several hu ...
and first built in 1971.
The design was replaced in the company product line by the
Pearson 303, which was also a Shaw design.
Production
The design was built by
Pearson Yachts in the United States, from 1971 until 1981, with 1,185 boats completed by 1 January 1980, but it is now out of production. The design was one of Pearson's most commercially successful boats.
Design
The Pearson 30 is a recreational
keelboat, built predominantly of
fiberglass, with a
balsa-cored deck and wood trim. The hull was made from a hand lay up in a one-piece mold. It has a
masthead sloop rig, a
raked stem, a plumb
transom
Transom may refer to:
* Transom (architecture), a bar of wood or stone across the top of a door or window, or the window above such a bar
* Transom (nautical), that part of the stern of a vessel where the two sides of its hull meet
* Operation Tran ...
, an internally mounted spade-type
rudder controlled by a
tiller and a fixed fin
keel.
Wheel steering was a factory option. It displaces and carries of lead ballast.
The boat has a draft of with the standard keel.
Early production versions had a Palmer
inboard engine
Marine propulsion is the mechanism or system used to generate thrust to move a watercraft through water. While paddles and sails are still used on some smaller boats, most modern ships are propelled by mechanical systems consisting of an electri ...
, while later ones came with a
Universal Atomic 4
The Universal Atomic 4 is a four-cylinder, gasoline engine produced by the Universal Motor Company between 1949 and 1984 for use as auxiliary power on sailboats. Both and versions of the engine were produced. Over 40,000 of the engines were pro ...
gasoline engine and finally an Atomic two cylinder
diesel engine, for docking and maneuvering. The fuel tank holds and the fresh water tank has a capacity of .
The design has sleeping accommodation for six people, with a double
"V"-berth
A berth is a bed or sleeping accommodation on vehicles. Space accommodations have contributed to certain common design elements of berths.
Beds in boats or ships
While beds on large ships are little different from those on shore, the lack ...
in the bow cabin, a straight settee berth and a dinette table that converts to a double berth in the main cabin and an aft
quarter berth
A berth is a bed or sleeping accommodation on vehicles. Space accommodations have contributed to certain common design elements of berths.
Beds in boats or ships
While beds on large ships are little different from those on shore, the lack ...
on the port side. The
galley
A galley is a type of ship that is propelled mainly by oars. The galley is characterized by its long, slender hull, shallow draft, and low freeboard (clearance between sea and gunwale). Virtually all types of galleys had sails that could be used ...
is located on the starboard side just forward of the
companionway
In the architecture of a ship, a companion or companionway is a raised and windowed hatchway in the ship's deck, with a ladder leading below and the hooded entrance-hatch to the main cabins. A companionway may be secured by doors or, commonly in ...
ladder. The galley is L-shaped and is equipped with a two-burner stove, an
ice box and a double sink. The
head
A head is the part of an organism which usually includes the ears, brain, forehead, cheeks, chin, eyes, nose, and mouth, each of which aid in various sensory functions such as sight, hearing, smell, and taste. Some very simple animals may ...
is located just aft of the bow cabin.
The design has a
hull speed of .
Operational history
The boat's designer, William Shaw owned a Pearson 30 as his own personal boat for many years.
Even though it was not designed as a
racer, the boat has had success on the racing circuit, including
International Offshore Rule
The International Offshore Rule (IOR) was a measurement rule for racing sailboats. The IOR evolved from the Cruising Club of America (CCA) rule for racer/cruisers and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) rule.
Rule context - past and present rating ...
,
PHRF,
MORC and also
one-design.
In a 2000 used boat review Darrell Nicholson wrote in ''Practical Sailor'', "the Pearson 30 is an active sailor’s boat. We find it responsive, and a pleasure to sail. It is also tender, and very sensitive to the proper sail combination. All owners responding consider the boat to be somewhat 'tippy.' The P30 does, in fact, put the rail under quite easily." He concluded, "the Pearson 30 was an industry success story. The boat is fast and responsive. Finish quality is above average. The interior is comfortable and reasonably roomy within the limitations inherent in a 30-footer. Many of the minor design problems can be corrected by the imaginative and handy owner who enjoys tinkering."
See also
*
List of sailing boat types
The following is a partial list of sailboat types and sailing classes, including keelboats, dinghies and multihull ( catamarans and trimarans).
Olympic classes
World Sailing Classes
Historically known as the IYRU (International Yacht Racing ...
References
External links
*
{{Pearson Yachts
Keelboats
1970s sailboat type designs
Sailing yachts
Sailboat type designs by William Shaw
Sailboat types built by Pearson Yachts