1981 Pearson 303 vs 1978 C&C 24 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 303
1978 C&C 24
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 303 | 1978 C&C 24 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | William Shaw | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 6.10 m (20.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.44 m (8.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.22 m (4.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 1,497 kg (3,300 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.8 m² (428 ft²) | 24.0 m² (258 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 7 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 19 L (5.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 303 and 1978 C&C 24 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 303 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1978 C&C 24 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 1981 Pearson 303 was penned by William Shaw. The 1978 C&C 24 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 303 measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1978 C&C 24 at 7.32m (24.0ft) with a 2.44m beam. The 1981 Pearson 303 is 1.82m longer than the 1978 C&C 24. The 1981 Pearson 303 displaces approximately 158% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 303 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.45 and 39.8 m² of sail area. The 1978 C&C 24, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 24.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1978 C&C 24 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 303 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1978 C&C 24 has a comfort ratio of 16.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.85. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1981 Pearson 303 and 40.9% for the 1978 C&C 24, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 303 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1978 C&C 24 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 30L water and 19L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 303 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 1978 C&C 24 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1981 Pearson 303 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.