BoatsPearson Yachts 31

Pearson Yachts 31

Fractional Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1977–1981

A William Shaw-designed fractional sloop with a fin keel and spade rudder, built for performance between 1977 and 1981

Designed by William H. Shaw.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her moderate displacement on a moderate beam gives 24 — a moderate, middle-of-the-road motion.

Comfort ratio 24
CoastalBluewater

1.99 — just under the 2.0 offshore line; her beam is modest for her weight.

Capsize screening 1.99
LightHeavy

269 — moderately heavy for her waterline, a balanced cruising weight.

Displacement / length 269
EasygoingPowered-up

16.8 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 16.8
TenderStiff

40% of her weight is ballast — moderately stiff, a middle-of-the-road stability.

Ballast 40%

A capable cruiser that sits just inside the offshore line — coastal work with real passages in her.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
40.4%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Fractional Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
16.8
Displacement / length
268.6
Comfort ratio
23.6
Capsize screening
1.99
Hull speed
6.7 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
938
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1977–1981
Designer
William H. Shaw
Builder
Pearson Yachts

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Spirit 329.48 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Jacques De Ridder-designed IOR 23-footer built for nearly two decades as a stiff, masthead-rigged fin-keel sloop
Maxi Yachts 959.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA 9.5-metre masthead sloop produced for a decade, featuring a skeg-hung rudder for predictable coastal handling
Cal Boats 309.14 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterOffered with an optional tall rig, this masthead sloop served as the predecessor to the 2-30 series
Beneteau Oceanis 319.66 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA Finot-Conq designed fractional sloop balancing a modern hull form with a stable 1.8-meter bulb keel
Granada Yachts 309.18 mSame hull family0.3 m shorterA 30-foot fractional sloop with a 1.65-meter draft, designed for balanced, performance-oriented cruising
Contessa 329.75 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA 1973 London Boat Show winner with a skeg-hung rudder and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 47 percent

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

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Nothing filmed of this one yet

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