The Pearson 37 occupies a unique place in the history of American yacht design. Conceived by renowned naval architect Bill Shaw during the height of the IOR racing era, the model was designed to satisfy two very different missions: remain competitive on the racecourse while providing the comfort and practicality required for family cruising. The result was one of the most successful racer-cruisers of its generation, and this model remains highly regarded by sailors seeking performance, versatility, and classic good looks.
Unlike many purpose-built racing yachts of the period, the Pearson 37 was designed from the outset to be equally at home on a weekend cruise or a coastal passage. Drawing upon the latest hull-design concepts being developed for racing yachts at the time, Shaw created a fast, responsive vessel that retained the accommodations and livability expected of a true cruising boat.
As Bill Shaw himself described:
“I designed the boat for sailors who wanted to race their boats in IOR and PHRF fleets, then jettison the crew, pick up the wife and children, and go cruising. The hull design was state-of-the-art, if you will, and she was furnished with a comfortable, though lightweight, interior.”
Built at Pearson Yachts’ Portsmouth, Rhode Island facility, the Pearson 37 features robust construction with a hand-laid solid fiberglass hull and a balsa-cored deck, combining durability, structural rigidity, and weight savings. Only 43 examples of this original Pearson 37 design were produced, making it a relatively uncommon and sought-after model among enthusiasts today.
Below decks, “Place of Refuge” offers a warm and practical interior designed to comfortably accommodate family and friends. Forward is a spacious V-berth owner’s cabin with generous storage for extended cruising. Just aft is an enclosed marine head with shower, also with a huge amount of storage ability.
The main saloon features opposing settees and a welcoming social atmosphere, offering ample seating for relaxing, dining, or entertaining guests. To port, a functional C-shaped galley provides secure footing while underway and efficient use of workspace and storage. Opposite, the dedicated navigation station and quarter berth create a practical command center for passage planning while also providing additional sleeping accommodations. Altogether, the layout accommodates up to seven people, making the Pearson 37 equally suitable for cruising couples, families, or occasional racing crews.
“Place of Refuge” represents the original Pearson 37 design and should not be confused with the later Pearson 37-2 introduced from 1988 through 1991. She embodies the performance-oriented spirit of the original concept while retaining the comfortable cruising accommodations that made the model so successful.
Over the years, “Place of Refuge” has benefited from a variety of maintenance efforts and meaningful upgrades. More recently, she has been kept in dry storage and is offered for sale on an as-is, where-is basis, presenting an excellent opportunity for a sailor seeking a capable Bill Shaw-designed racer-cruiser at an attractive price point.
For buyers looking for a yacht that successfully bridges the gap between performance sailing and comfortable cruising, “Place of Refuge” offers a rare opportunity to own a respected piece of American yacht-design history.
Highlights
- Doyle inspected sails: two mainsails, two headsails, 120% and 150% deck sweepers, spinnaker
- (2023) New stack pack with jack lines, dodger and bimini
- (2023) Removed, cleaned, painted and re-installed fuel tank
- (2023) Installed new dual fuel filters and pumps
- (2023) Removed and overhauled engine injection pump and fuel injectors
- (2023) Replaced water pumps to engine, serviced heat exchanger, and installed new elbow
- Raymarine navigational equipment + Axiom chartplotter
- Inventory of spares, including new starter and alternator
- Dinghy davits with solar above
See the original brochure from Pearson Yachts on the Pearson 37 (1MB PDF).
