[5][6] The design was built by Pearson Yachts in the United States, from 1971 until 1981, with 1,185 boats completed by 1 January 1980, but it is now out of production.

[1][2][7][8] The Pearson 30 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with a balsa-cored deck and wood trim.

It has a masthead sloop rig, a raked stem, a plumb transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed fin keel.

The galley is L-shaped and is equipped with a two-burner stove, an ice box and a double sink.

[1][2] Even though it was not designed as a racer, the boat has had success on the racing circuit, including International Offshore Rule, PHRF, MORC and also one-design.

Many of the minor design problems can be corrected by the imaginative and handy owner who enjoys tinkering.