Pearson 386 Ketch

Description

The Pearson 386 Ketch is a rare aft-cockpit variant of the acclaimed Pearson 386 cruising sailboat, tailored for bluewater and coastal passages with the divided sail plan of a ketch rig for simplified handling and balanced power. Sharing the same hull as the more common sloop or cutter 386, it features a spacious interior, moderate beam for stability, and a focus on comfort for extended voyages. The aft cockpit provides a more social, open feel compared to the center-cockpit 385, while the ketch configuration—shorter main mast, small mizzen aft—eases reefing for short crews and reduces boom loads. Ideal for couples or small families, it's praised for light-air performance and seaworthiness, though its scarcity limits parts availability. Owners note its "go-anywhere" attitude, with easy motion in slop and proven transoceanic capability. Designed by William H. Shaw in 1983, the Pearson 386 debuted in 1984 as an evolution of the center-cockpit 385, shifting to an aft cockpit for better visibility and cockpit lounging while retaining Shaw's emphasis on performance-oriented cruising. Built by Pearson Yachts in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, production spanned 1984-1985, with approximately 50-60 hulls total—predominantly sloops or cutters. The ketch rig was a limited factory option (estimated 3-5 built, based on sailmaker records and owners' forums), appealing to traditionalists favoring sail division over single-mast power. This marked one of Pearson's final designs before the company's 1986 closure amid industry recession. The model drew from Shaw's earlier successes like the 365, blending racer-cruiser DNA with liveaboard amenities. Today, the Pearson Yachts Owners Portal (pearsonyachts.org) and forums like Cruisers Forum support the fleet, though ketch-specific resources are thin.