1984 Pearson 34 vs 1983 Freedom 36 — Comparison
1984 Pearson 34
1983 Freedom 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1984 Pearson 34 | 1983 Freedom 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pearson | Freedom |
| Year | 1984–1990 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Shaw | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) | 49.0 m² (527 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 20 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 152 L (40.2 gal) | 190 L (50.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1984 Pearson 34 and 1983 Freedom 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1984 Pearson 34 is a 1980s design by Pearson from USA, while the 1983 Freedom 36 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The 1984 Pearson 34 was penned by William Shaw. The 1983 Freedom 36 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the 1984 Pearson 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1983 Freedom 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1983 Freedom 36 is 0.61m longer than the 1984 Pearson 34. The 1983 Freedom 36 displaces approximately 12% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1984 Pearson 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.11 and 46.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Freedom 36, with an SA/D of 14.88 and 49.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1984 Pearson 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1984 Pearson 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 20.3) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1983 Freedom 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1984 Pearson 34 and 37.0% for the 1983 Freedom 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1984 Pearson 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 152L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. The 1983 Freedom 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 190L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1984 Pearson 34 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 1984 Pearson 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.