1981 Pearson 36 vs Hanse 388 — Comparison
1981 Pearson 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Pearson 36 | Hanse 388 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Hanse |
| Year | 1981–1985 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | William Shaw | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) | 11.40 m (37.4 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) | 3.73 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,124 kg (13,501 lbs) | 7,200 kg (15,873 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.6 m² (555 ft²) | 63.0 m² (678 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 22 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 260 L (68.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Pearson 36 and Hanse 388 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Pearson 36 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the Hanse 388 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1981 Pearson 36 was penned by William Shaw. The Hanse 388 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1981 Pearson 36 measures 10.67m (35.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.51m, compared to the Hanse 388 at 11.40m (37.4ft) with a 3.73m beam. The Hanse 388 is 0.73m longer than the 1981 Pearson 36. The Hanse 388 displaces approximately 18% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Pearson 36 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.66 and 51.6 m² of sail area. The Hanse 388, with an SA/D of 17.17 and 63.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 388 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1981 Pearson 36 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.77). The Hanse 388 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.7% for the 1981 Pearson 36 and 30.6% for the Hanse 388, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Pearson 36 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The Hanse 388 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 260L water and 140L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Pearson 36 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 Hanse 388 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 36 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1981 Pearson 36 · Hanse 388