1967 Pearson 35 vs 1994 Najad 343 — Comparison
1967 Pearson 35
1994 Najad 343
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1967 Pearson 35 | 1994 Najad 343 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Najad |
| Year | 1967–1973 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | William Shaw | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.69 m (28.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.6 m² (523 ft²) | 47.5 m² (511 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1967 Pearson 35 and 1994 Najad 343 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1967 Pearson 35 is a classic design by Pearson from USA, while the 1994 Najad 343 is a 1990s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1967 Pearson 35 was penned by William Shaw. The 1994 Najad 343 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1967 Pearson 35 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1994 Najad 343 at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 1967 Pearson 35 is 0.31m longer than the 1994 Najad 343. The 1967 Pearson 35 displaces approximately 1% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1967 Pearson 35 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.96 and 48.6 m² of sail area. The 1994 Najad 343, with an SA/D of 15.68 and 47.5 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1967 Pearson 35 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1967 Pearson 35 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 26.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1994 Najad 343 has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1967 Pearson 35 and 40.7% for the 1994 Najad 343, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1967 Pearson 35 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1994 Najad 343 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1967 Pearson 35 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 1967 Pearson 35 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.