Pearson 22 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used market for a Pearson 22 means chasing a short-built, early-Shaw small cruiser produced from 1968 to 1972 and designed by William H. Shaw during his long run as Pearson's chief naval architect. These are trailerable fiberglass boats with balsa-cored decks, fixed swept fin keels, and tiller-steered spade rudders, so the buyer is looking at a finite cohort of sub-23-foot boats rather than a high-volume modern class.
Layouts on the Used Market
The Pearson 22 sleeps four below: a double V-berth forward and two settee berths in the main cabin, with the galley set both port and starboard just aft of the bow and the head tucked under the V-berth. An optional stove, sink, and toilet mean individual boats vary between bare racer and equipped weekender, so a buyer should confirm which provisions are present rather than assume a full cruising layout. The long waterline that aids performance also gives the small cabin more usable length than the 22-foot overall suggests.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
No equipment appears as commonly fitted or often seen on this model, and no specific upgrades are noted as frequent owner additions, so buyers should treat any electronics, canvas, or rigging as individual-boat variables rather than standard kit. Given the layout described above, the most consequential things to verify are the presence of the optional galley stove and sink and the optional head, since those define whether a particular boat is cruise-ready or stripped. Beyond those, a surveyor's look at the fractional sloop rig and tiller system is more telling than any add-on gear list.
What to Inspect
The one ownership-flagged item on these boats is the outboard engine installation: the remote aft placement of the engine controls and the propeller's extension past the counter stern. That geometry deserves a close look for throttle-access wear and prop or stern damage from the exposed location. Otherwise, the balsa-cored deck standard to Pearson construction of the era should be tested for moisture at through-deck penetrations.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
Typical market availability for the Pearson 22 is the United States. For a buyer, the checklist is short and based on the known points:
- Confirm whether optional galley (stove, sink) and toilet are fitted
- Inspect outboard controls far aft of cockpit for wear or jury-rigging
- Check exposed prop and counter stern for impact or corrosion damage
- Test balsa-cored deck for moisture at fittings
- Verify trailerability gear if planning overland relocation
The Pearson 22 rewards the patient shopper with a stiff, quick small Shaw design, but the remote outboard controls and exposed prop are inherent traits to accept rather than defects to negotiate away.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Pearson 22. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.