Introduced in 1977, the Pearson 40 represents a significant departure from the traditional aesthetics and engineering norms established by Pearson Yachts under the earlier Alberg era. Designed by William Shaw during his tenure as General Manager and Chief Naval Architect, this model was conceived as a "dual-purpose" yacht—a vessel capable of competing in emerging performance handicaps like the MHS (Measurement Health System) and PHRF while remaining a luxurious, sea-kindly cruiser. Distinctive for its racy, flush-deck profile and unique "whale-shaped" underbody, only 71 hulls were produced before production ceased in 1981. According to Sailing Magazine, the model remains a "terrific value" for offshore-capable cruising, despite a polarizing aesthetic that initially divided the sailing public.
Pearson 40 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

- Make
- Pearson
- Model
- 40
- Builder
- Pearson Yachts
- Designer
- William Shaw
- Number Built
- 71
- Production Year(s)
- 1979 - 1981
Below are the most recent Pearson 40 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date |
|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | 3 | $47,000 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | $19,999 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | $65,000 |
| Apr 2026 | 2 | $2,777,520 |
Median Price by Country
Listings by Country
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinckley Bermuda 40-1 | 40.75' | $130,000 | 27 | 8 |
| Tartan 40 | 40.25' | $89,900 | 14 | 0 |
| Pearson 35 | 35' | $25,000 | 13 | 7 |
| Pearson 36 | 36.56' | $22,450 | 12 | 4 |
| Pearson 34 | 33.79' | $15,500 | 10 | 3 |
| Pearson 39-2 | 39.25' | $45,900 | 9 | 1 |
| Pearson 40 | $55,000 | 8 | 4 | |
| Pearson 26 | 26.12' | $4,500 | 8 | 1 |
| Pearson 365 | 36.42' | $29,500 | 7 | 2 |
| Pearson 32 | 31.75' | $6,250 | 2 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $51,000 | 6 | 2 |
| Mexico | $65,000 | 1 | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Pearson 40 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Pearson 40 over the past 12 months is $55,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Pearson 40 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 8 Pearson 40 listings over the past 12 months, with 4 listed within the last 90 days.
- Are Pearson 40 prices going up or down?
- The median asking price for the Pearson 40 has increased by 18.18% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month average.
- Where is the cheapest place to buy a Pearson 40?
- United States currently has the lowest median asking price at $51,000, while Mexico is the most expensive at $65,000 — a 27% difference.
- What are similar sailboats to the Pearson 40?
- Comparable models include the Hinckley Bermuda 40-1, Tartan 40, Pearson 35. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.