1978 Pearson 26 Boat in Little Elm, TX 75068 US

Recent update: The seller had the hulls painted and installed a new Harkin rolling furler. (June '26)

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Designer, Bill Shaw wrote the following:

The P26-OD

The Pearson 26 One-Design is in a class by herself - an alternative with the proven characteristics of her sisterships, the Pearson 26 and Pearson 26W. Both her sailing ability and her lines are beautifully balanced. Racing, cruising, day sailing. The best of all worlds at a price that defies analysis.

The boat:

For some time now I've been wondering why there are no boats designed to appeal to the one design racer and the day sailor who's ready for cruising accommodations. The sailor I'm talking about is that type who doesn't want to give up round-the-buoy racing or have quick after supper before sundown sails.

I figured there are hundreds of good sailors out there who can't afford a full-blown cruising boat or don't want one because of the nature of the sailing they do. You know what I mean... probably day sailing, a few overnights, and a schedule of club racing. This kind of activity doesn't call for an expensive boat with all the amenities of an offshore cruiser. Rather it calls for a nice compromise between a performance one-design and an easily managed family cruiser... a beautifully finished boat with a big cockpit and low profile that still sleeps four and has provisions for a head and a galley.

So I took our proven Pearson 26 hull, gave her a new deck, moved the shrouds inbound for closer sheeting and voila... I had the perfect boat. It's everything you need at a desirable price. Give the Pearson 26 OD some thought. Mention it to your friends at the club, start a fleet, Come Sail With Us."

Source: PearsonYachts.org

Good Old Boats says this: "The Pearson 26 One Design is a fiberglass daysailer and racer optimized for one-design club racing, with versatility for weekend cruising and day sails. As a performance-oriented variant of the original Pearson 26, it features a sleek, low-profile deck, expanded cockpit, and inboard shrouds for tighter sheeting angles, balancing speed with simplicity. Its fin keel and spade rudder provide responsive handling, while the lightweight build and moderate sail plan make it accessible for solo or small crews-ideal for racers seeking a forgiving yet competitive platform without full-cruiser amenities. Designed by William (Bill) Shaw and introduced in 1978 by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the 26 One Design evolved from the popular Pearson 26 (1970-1980), which sold over 700 units as a family cruiser. Shaw adapted the proven hull by redesigning the deck-shortening the coach roof, eliminating the bridge deck for a larger cockpit, and shifting shrouds inboard-to create a dedicated racer/weekender. Initially called the Pearson 26W (Weekender) in 1975-1976, production resumed under the "One Design" name from 1978 to 1983, with around 300 built across variants. It targeted the growing one-design market, competing in PHRF fleets while retaining the original's seaworthiness. Pearson's closure in 1991 ended the line, but active fleets persist through owner associations."

Source: GoodOldBoats.com