1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 vs 1983 Pearson 31 — Comparison
1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24
1983 Pearson 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 | 1983 Pearson 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pacific Seacraft | Pearson |
| Year | 1980–2007 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Cutter | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | William Shaw |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.77 m (25.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.54 m (8.3 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 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 | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 and 1983 Pearson 31 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 is a 1980s design by Pacific Seacraft from USA, while the 1983 Pearson 31 is a 1980s offering from Pearson from USA. The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 was penned by William Crealock. The 1983 Pearson 31 was designed by William Shaw.
In terms of size, the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.54m, compared to the 1983 Pearson 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.10m beam. The 1983 Pearson 31 is 2.13m longer than the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24. 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 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.98 and 23.5 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 1983 Pearson 31 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). 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 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 and 42.1% for the 1983 Pearson 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 1983 Pearson 31 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 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 1983 Pearson 31 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.