1978 Pearson 30 vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
1978 Pearson 30
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Pearson 30 | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Ericson |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.3 m² (423 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Pearson 30 and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Pearson 30 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1978 Pearson 30 was penned by William Shaw. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1978 Pearson 30 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1978 Pearson 30 is 0.30m longer than the 1976 Ericson 29. The 1978 Pearson 30 displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Pearson 30 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.91 and 39.3 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1978 Pearson 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Pearson 30 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.79). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.3% for the 1978 Pearson 30 and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Pearson 30 provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1978 Pearson 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Pearson 30 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Pearson 30 · 1976 Ericson 29