Pearson 28 (1980-82) Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Masthead Sloop

LOA

28' · 8.53 m

Displ.

7,850 lbs · 3,561 kg

First year

1980

The Pearson 28 produced between 1980 and 1982 represents a refined era of Bill Shaw’s design philosophy, serving as a more voluminous and comfortable successor to the immensely popular Pearson 26. Often categorized by enthusiasts as the "Pearson 281" to distinguish it from the completely different hull launched in 1985, this iteration was built to provide a genuine coastal cruising experience with standing headroom and inboard engine reliability. While earlier Pearsons relied on the narrow, overhangheavy lines of the CCA era, this model utilizes a more modern underwater profile and a beamier midsection to balance interior living space with predictable lighttomoderate air performance.