MarBella

The 1982 Pearson 40, designed by William Shaw, is a true classic cruiser-racer of IOR heritage, but built heavy and strong for offshore runs. With over 50% ballast and a 129° stability angle, she’s quick and close-winded with the centerboard down, tracks confidently offshore, and still draws just 4’3” board-up for gunkholing (9’4” down for performance).

The flush deck provides a sleek, safe, uncluttered working platform underway and an expansive space for sail handling, dinghy stowage, or relaxing at anchor. Solid construction, internal lead ballast, and a keel-stepped mast make this a 40-footer that blends performance, versatility, and bluewater capability in a way few modern production boats do.

This one has benefited from a six-figure refit about a decade ago, plus meaningful recent upgrades:

* NEW Precision Sails mainsail (2023) + spare 3-reef mainsail
* NEW Raymarine EV-1 autopilot (2023)
* NEW Highfield Classic 8’ dinghy (2023)
* NEW 8hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboard (2023)
* 130% #1 Genoa (2019)
* Navtec hydraulic backstay adjuster & boom vang
* 800+ watts solar (rigid + flexible) with Victron smart controller
* Victron BMV-712 Smart battery monitor
* 1800W Xantrex inverter
* Westerbeke 40 (1,560 hrs)
* Raymarine C70 radar/chartplotter + Garmin backup + iPad/“Yakker” NMEA-WiFi bridge
* Standard Horizon GX6000 VHF with AIS
* 4-person Viking liferaft
* Mantus M2 55 lb anchor w/ 150’ chain + 100’ rode
* Custom Starlink mount

Fuel capacity (including jerry cans) gives her serious range flexibility, and with 90 gallons of water she’s well set up for extended cruising.

Currently in La Paz, Mexico (arguably one of the best cruising grounds in the Sea of Cortez), MarBella is proven, thoughtfully upgraded, and ready to go offshore tomorrow or spend the season exploring shallow anchorages most 40-footers can’t reach.

--- SPECS ---

// Dimensions

Builder: Pearson Yachts (USA)

Designer: William Shaw

LOA: 39.92 ft

LWL: 31.25 ft

Beam: 12.5 ft

Draft: 4.25 ft to 9.42 ft

Displacement: 29,000 lbs – Full Load

Bridge Clearance: 60 ft

Ballast: 12,200 lbs

Ballast Material: Lead

Keel: Full

Rudder: Spade (original)

Hull Material: Fiberglass

Freeboard: 5 ft

Dry Weight: 22,800 lbs

// Propulsion

Engine: Westerbeke 40

Engine Power: 37

Engine Hours: 1560

Engine Type: Inboard

Engine Fuel: Diesel

Drive Type: V-Drive

Propeller: 2-blade, bronze

Max Speed: 7.0 k @ 2800 RPM

Cruising Speed: 5.5 k @ 2000 RPM

Gal/Hr (Max): 0.75

Range: 293 nm

// Tanks

Fuel Tankage: 46 Gal in 1 stainless steel tank (45 Gal in 9 Jerry Cans) – Total Range: 660 nm

Water Tankage: 90 Gal total in 2 plastic tanks

Holding Tankage: 20 Gal in1 plastic tank

// Accommodations

The interior finish of the P40 surpasses that of most Pearsons, offering an impressive amount of storage throughout.

Beginning: at the bow, there is a generously sized V-berth cabin featuring a small dressing seat and ample storage space. The head is situated aft to port, accompanied by a hanging locker and a bureau positioned opposite.

The saloon is equipped with a drop-leaf centerline table that seats six, as well as pilot berths fitted with built-in leeboards. Although these berths may be tempting to convert into additional storage, they are well suited as sea berths, elevated and out of the main traffic areas. The settees extend to provide comfortable twin berths.

The U-shaped galley, located to starboard, includes double stainless-steel sinks and a gimbaled stove with safety bar. Counter space is plentiful, complemented by functional fiddles and a spacious in-counter refrigerator. Surfaces are finished in Formica, and numerous lockers and shelving units offer practical food and utensil storage behind the stove and on the aft-facing side.

Opposite the galley, a large navigation station features a desk capable of accommodating a full-sized chart, with storage below and space for mounting instruments and repeaters on the partial bulkhead. A small quarterberth aft has been repurposed for storage.

The interior is attractively finished in mahogany and ash. The surprising 6-foot, 3-inch headroom, given the flush deck design, contributes to a sense of openness. Natural light and adequate ventilation are provided by several overhead hatches and sidelights, ensuring the space remains bright and comfortable.

// Galley

Refrigerator / Freezer: Deep Isotherm Fridge with 12V freezer

Stove: 3 burner propane Wedgewood Vision

Sink: Double stainless steel

Water System: Hot and Cold water

Microwave: 1000W Midea

// Electronics & Navigation Equipment

Chartplotter:
> Raymarine C70 Radar/Chartplotter
> Also: Garmin 192C and iPad for Navionics

AIS Receiver / Transponder: Standard Horizon GX6000 VHF with integrated AIS receiver

Radar: Raymarine C70 Radar/Chartplotter with Radar Alarm

Radar Detector: No

VHF:
> Standard Horizon GX6000 VHF with integrated AIS receiver
> Standard Horizon HX210 handheld

Autopilot: Raymarine EV-1 (2023)

GPS: Garmin 192C, Raymarine C70, and iPad for Navionics

Compass:
> x1 Ritchie compass (Helm)
> x1 E.S. Ritchie & Sons compass (Nav. Station)

Depth Sounder: Raymarine ST60

Wind Speed & Direction: Raymarine ST60

Knot Meter & Log: Raymarine ST60

Repeater(s): Navman 3100

Stereo: JVC Bluetooth Single CD

Cockpit Speakers: Yes

TV: Vizo Smart TV

Wi-Fi / Starlink: Custom Starlink mount

Other:
> Rudder Angle on Autopilot
> ‘Yakker’: NMEA to WiFi Bridge (creates a WIFI network from VHF so AIS targets will show up on iPAD using Navionics)

// Electrical Systems

Batteries:
> House: x4 Trojan 6V T105, 225 Ah each
> Start: x2 Series 27, 100 Ah each

Battery Switch: Yes

Battery Monitor: Victron VMW 712 Smart with Bluetooth

Inverter: 1800 Watt Xantrex Freedom

Battery Charger: Yes

Smart Regulator: Victron Smart Solar Controller with Bluetooth

Solar Panels: x3 210 Watt Rigid and x2 110 Watt Flexible – 850 Watts Total

Wind Generator: No

Alternator: 105 Amp

// Sails

Sail Area (approx.): 803 sq.ft.

Main: Precision Sails, 2023, Excellent

Jibs: 130% #1 Genoa, TA Sails, 2019, Excellent

Mainsheet Traveler: Yes

Roller Furling: Cruiser 2 Furler

Backstay Adjuster: Navtec Hydraulic Backstay Adjuster

Winches: x9 manual

Boom Vang: Navtec Hydraulic Boom Vang

Mast: Keel-stepped

Standing Rigging: In Excellent Condition from 2015

Lines Led Aft: Only headsail lines lead aft

Whisker Pole: Oscillating pole mounted on mast

// Deck

The P40 is best known for its flush deck, following the design style of earlier models like the Ericson 39 and Tartan 41. Its deck is not only sleek and attractive but also practical for cruising, reducing obstructions and tripping hazards, making for safer conditions when going forward underway.

The boat stands out for its unique underbody: a nearly round, balsa-cored hull with a whale-shaped form, deep centerboard, and a rudder on a full skeg. Despite initial impressions, stability is excellent thanks to its heavy displacement (22,800 lbs) and significant lead ballast (over 50% ballast-to-displacement), giving it a positive stability angle of 129 degrees. A shallow board-up draft (4’3″) adds versatility for cruising in shallow waters. An air draft just under 60 feet supports 803 square feet of sail area – more than similar-sized rivals – and makes for a highly efficient upwind sailing profile.

Pearson used cored construction mainly as a stiffener, resulting in durable hulls and decks that rarely suffer from core or delamination issues, despite their age. The inward-flanged hull-deck joint is sturdy, and fiberglass work is solid throughout. Lead ballast fits internally within the keel cavity, and the centerboard trunk remains unobtrusive to the interior cabin living space by being kept inside the stub keel.

The IOR-influenced pinched stern creates a narrower cockpit, but it’s still well-suited for cruising, featuring comfortable seating, ample lockers, and good visibility from the forward-placed wheel. The flush deck simplifies moving forward, handling sails, storing the dinghy, or lounging. Strong stanchions, double lifelines, a mid-boom mainsheet traveler, and a robust, keel-stepped double-spreader spar round out the P40’s thoughtful design.

Anchors: Mantus M2 55-lbs, with 5/16 AAA 150-ft chain and 100-ft of 3 braided rode

Windlass: 1200 W

Bow Rollers: Mantus V2

Nav Lights: LED

Deck Lights: LED

Spreader Lights: LED

Lifelines: Yes

Gates: Yes

Ladders: Custom aft ladder (extends to 4-ft below waterline for easy access)

Dinghy: Highfield Classic 8ft, 2023, Excellent

Dinghy Outboard: 8hp Yamaha 4 stoke, 2023, Excellent

Dinghy Lift: Yes

Deck Shower: No

Deck Washdown: No

Covers & Curtains:
> Dodger, Fair
> Wheel Cover, Excellent
> Bimini, Excellent
> Cockpit Cushions, Good
> Mainsail, Excellent

// Mechanical

Bilge Pump:
> Manual pump
> Electric Ruler pump with auto float switch and red light on Panel when on

Raw Water Sea Strainer: Yes

Fire Extinguishing: x4 Kidde (Good)

Fuel Filters: x2

Fuel Shutoffs: Yes

Fresh Water Cooling System: Yes (Good)

Head Type(s): Manual

Hot Water Heater: Yes (Fair)

Thru Hulls: x7 (Good)

Transmission: Paragon (Good)

// Safety Equipment

Lifejackets: x4

Float Ring: Yes

Liferaft: 4 person Viking (Excellent)

Liferings: Yes (Excellent)

EPIRB: Yes, 1 main and 2 personal

Strobe: Yes

Jacklines: Yes

Harnesses: Yes

Flares: x8

Other: Ditch bag with water and food for 4 people for 4 days

// Additional Equipment

> Portable ice maker