1981 Pearson 303 vs 1975 Ericson 25+ — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | 1975 Ericson 25+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Ericson |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1975–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 25.0 m² (269 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 23 L (6.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and 1975 Ericson 25+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1975 Ericson 25+ is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The 1975 Ericson 25+ was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1975 Ericson 25+ at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1981 Pearson 303 is 1.52m longer than the 1975 Ericson 25+. The 1981 Pearson 303 displaces approximately 102% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 m² of sail area. The 1975 Ericson 25+, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 25.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1975 Ericson 25+ has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1975 Ericson 25+ has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 38.1% for the 1975 Ericson 25+, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1975 Ericson 25+ offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 45L water and 23L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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 1975 Ericson 25+ has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1981 Pearson 303 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: 1981 Pearson 303 · 1975 Ericson 25+