1975 Pearson 39 vs 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 — Comparison
1975 Pearson 39
2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Pearson 39 | 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1975–1980 | 2005–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | William Shaw | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,711 kg (17,000 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 60.8 m² (654 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Pearson 39 and 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1975 Pearson 39 is a 1970s design by Pearson from USA, while the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1975 Pearson 39 was penned by William Shaw. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1975 Pearson 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 1975 Pearson 39 is 0.64m longer than the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37. The 1975 Pearson 39 displaces approximately 3% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Pearson 39 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.83 and 60.8 m² of sail area. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, with an SA/D of 16.44 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Pearson 39 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1975 Pearson 39 and 40.0% for the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Pearson 39 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L water and 160L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Pearson 39 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1975 Pearson 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.