After all things considered we chose a Pearson 28 as a replacement for the classic 25 year old boat we had enjoyed so much but no longer had the time to maintain. Pearson Yachts has a long history of building very successful boats in the 28' size range dating back to the Pearson Triton, introduced in 1959. The period from 1975 to 1982 saw the first Pearson 28, which was patterned after Pearson's hugely successful 26 and 30-foot models. The latest and last Pearson 28, and the subject of this review, was produced from 1985 through 1989. Hull construction of a Pearson 28 is a solid laminate of fiberglass cloth and plastic resin.
Decks utilize an end grain balsa core for added strength and rigidity.
The deck and hull are joined with through bolts on an outward flange covered by a plastic molding. This method of joining the hull and deck has the disadvantage of being easily damaged by minor collisions with docks and pilings but is otherwise strong and secure. Construction is sound, and I have yet to find any serious delaminations or bonding failures. Some typical problem areas to keep an eye out for are persistent leaks around cabin windows and ports, broken plastic through hull fittings at the port and starboard deck scupper drains, and plastic rubrails cracked from impact with docks and pilings. It is also quite common to find a moderate amount of osmotic blistering if bottoms have not been barrier coated.