[1][3][4][5][6] The Pearson 26 family of designs are all a small recreational keelboats, built predominantly of fiberglass with balsa-cored decks and with wood trim.

They all have a masthead sloop rig, raked stem, vertical transom, an internally-mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed swept fin keel.

The design is equipped with a transom well to mount a small outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.

[3] Other features include an anchor locker, two winches for the jibsheets, four fixed portlights and an adjustable backstay, plus genoa tracks.

The tradeoff is more room below and a drier boat...Few people buy the Pearson 26 for its spacious accommodations below.

The P26 handles well off the wind, and several owners describe surfing downwind at near double-digit speeds...The Pearson 26 is an ideal boat to test the waters, so to speak, to see if sailing is indeed something you might enjoy.