Pearson 36-2 Buyer's Guide
Shopping used Pearson 36-2s means considering the final and fifth of Pearson's 36-foot models, built from 1985 to 1990 with Bill Shaw's predictable, well-balanced hull form. These boats concentrate their value below decks, so a buyer should weigh the two-stateroom layout and centerboard option against a small cockpit and known hull-care history before committing.
Layouts on the Used Market
Used Pearson 36-2s follow an aft-cockpit plan: a forward v-berth cabin with standing headroom and dress space, a main saloon with a convertible U-dinette, and a starboard quarter-berth cabin with a queen berth — though half that berth tucks under the cockpit with low clearance. The L-shaped galley sits aft of the dinette opposite a small navigation station, wet locker, and head/shower without a separate stall. Two underbody choices appear: a fin keel at 6 feet 6 inches, and a keel/centerboard drawing 4 feet 2 inches up and 8 feet 3 inches down with extra displacement. The centerboard version suits shallow gunkholing but adds systems to maintain.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, canvas and helm aids dominate: a dodger and bimini are commonly fitted, and autopilot with chartplotter is standard on most boats. Climate and power upgrades often appear as air conditioning, inverter, and hot water, with dinghy davits a frequent addition for tender storage. Less common owner upgrades include a spinnaker for downwind speed, electric winches for easier shorthanded sail handling, and a swim platform. A buyer should verify the autopilot and canvas condition, as these shape day-to-day comfort more than occasional race gear.
What to Inspect
Hull bottoms that were never barrier coated or repaired commonly show moderate to severe osmotic blistering, with professional correction expensive. The outward-flange deck joint is strong but vulnerable to minor dock or piling impacts, so check for hull-deck trauma and prior cosmetic molding repairs. The engine mounted beneath the galley counter limits stowage there, and the teak side-deck toe rail is too small to trust as a foothold — inspect for added grip modifications.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
These boats are typically found in the United States. For a buyer, the checklist is short: confirm underbody type and centerboard function, survey for blistering and deck-joint damage, test the three-sided Yanmar access for service history, and assess whether the small cockpit and no separate shower suit your plans. A well-kept 36-2 rewards with private staterooms and steady handling.
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the Pearson 36-2. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 10 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 25 | 1 | $31,900 | — |
| May 25 | 3 | $25,000 | -21.6% |
| Aug 25 | 2 | $28,000 | +12.0% |
| Sep 25 | 4 | $30,950 | +10.5% |
| Oct 25 | 1 | $34,500 | +11.5% |
| Nov 25 | 6 | $26,000 | -24.6% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $26,000 | 0.0% |
| Feb 26 | 4 | $27,950 | +7.5% |
| Apr 26 | 3 | $21,500 | -23.1% |
| Aug 26 | 1 | $24,900 | +15.8% |
Where they're listed
Pearson 36-2 listings appear across 1 country. United States has the most listings with 20.
Country view
20 listings · 1 country| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $26,000 | 20 | 1 | 100.0% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
9 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina Yachts 36 | 36.33' | $ 35,900 | 183 | 36 |
| Bavaria Yachts 36 | 37.89' | $ 69,513 | 119 | 27 |
| Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36.2 | 36.08' | $ 70,926 | 36 | 9 |
| Sabre 362 | 36.17' | $ 123,566 | 29 | 8 |
| Irwin 38-2 | 40' | $ 40,000 | 27 | 15 |
| Pearson 36-2You are here | — | $ 26,000 | 20 | 1 |
| Moody 36-2 | 36.75' | $ 88,380 | 17 | 5 |
| Tartan 34-2 | 34.42' | $ 29,900 | 17 | 5 |
| Sigma 362 | 36' | $ 44,190 | 11 | 4 |