1973 Ericson 27 vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
1973 Ericson 27
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1973 Ericson 27 | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | Pearson |
| Year | 1973–1980 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bruce King | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 4,309 kg (9,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 30.8 m² (332 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1973 Ericson 27 and 1983 Pearson 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1973 Ericson 27 is a 1970s design by Ericson from USA, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1973 Ericson 27 was penned by Bruce King. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1973 Ericson 27 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1983 Pearson 31 is 1.22m longer than the 1973 Ericson 27. The 1983 Pearson 31 displaces approximately 73% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1973 Ericson 27 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.02 and 30.8 m² of sail area. The 1983 Pearson 31, with an SA/D of 15.35 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1973 Ericson 27 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1973 Ericson 27 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1983 Pearson 31 has a comfort ratio of 21.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.8% for the 1973 Ericson 27 and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1973 Ericson 27 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Pearson 31 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 1973 Ericson 27 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1983 Pearson 31 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.