The Pearson 303 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

Published Specification for the Pearson 303

Underwater Profile: Fin keel & skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 30'4" (9.2m)

Waterline Length: 23'4" (7.7m)

Beam: 10'11" (3.3m)

Draft: 4'4" (1.3m)

Rig Type: Masthead sloop

Displacement: 10,100lb (4,581kg)

Ballast: 3,500b (1,588kg)

Designer: William Shaw

Builder: Pearson Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1983

Year Last Built: 1986

Published Design Ratios for the Pearson 303

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 15.8

• Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
• 16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
• Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 34.7

• Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
• Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 276

• Under 100: Ultralight
• 100 to 200: Light
• 200 to 275: Moderate
• 275 to 350: Heavy
• Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 24.1

• Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
• 20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
• 30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
• 40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
• Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 2.1

• Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
• Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Read more about these Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Pearson 303

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 15.8 suggests that the Pearson 303 is slightly underpowered and will need a stiffish breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 34.7 means that a sailboat like the Pearson 303 (which doesn't have a stiffness-enhancing bulb keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 276 tells us that the Pearson 303 just creeps into the heavy displacement category. You can load her down with all your cruising gear and equipment and it will hardly affect her waterline. A steady and robust choice for coastal sailing, but she'll come into her own on an offshore passage in testing conditions.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 24.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Pearson 303 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not the best of news for anyone prone to seasickness. 

5. The Capsize Screening Formula of 2.1 tells us that a Pearson 303 would not be as good a choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making, owing to the increased risk of capsize in strong winds and heavy seas when compared to a sailboat with a CSF of less than 2.0.