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Balaton 31
Designer: Gunnar Cardell  ·  Builder: Hungarian Shipyards & Crane Factory  ·  First built: 1973
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About the Balaton 31

With limited documentation available, the Balaton 31 represents one of the more obscure entries in the 31-foot sailboat category. Named after Lake Balaton, Central Europe's largest freshwater lake, this design likely emerged from the Eastern European boatbuilding tradition that flourished during the latter half of the 20th century. Based on its origins and size class, the Balaton 31 appears designed primarily for coastal cruising and lake sailing, making it well-suited for protected waters and moderate offshore passages. The boat's heritage suggests practical construction methods and robust engineering typical of Eastern European designs, which often prioritized durability and functionality over luxury appointments. While comprehensive specifications remain elusive, boats of this era and origin typically featured solid fiberglass construction, simple but effective sail plans, and accommodations designed for weekend cruising or extended lake sailing. The Balaton 31 would appeal most to sailors seeking an affordable entry into cruising or those drawn to unique designs with interesting provenance. Given the limited available information, prospective buyers should conduct thorough inspections and research individual examples carefully, as documentation and parts availability may present challenges compared to more mainstream production boats.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.11 ft / 7.35 m
Beam 9.71 ft / 2.96 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 8,047.00 lb / 3,650 kg
Ballast 3,307.00 lb / 1,500 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 495.00 ft² / 45.99 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gunnar Cardell
Builder Hungarian Shipyards & Crane Factory
First Built 1973
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
180
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
19.79
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
23
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.94
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.58
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 836.49
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 311, Hughes 31, Longbow 31 Westerly

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Balaton 31 ★
31.0 ft
Bristol 311
31.0 ft
Hughes 31
31.0 ft
Longbow 31 Westerly
31.0 ft
LWL
Balaton 31 ★
24.1 ft
Bristol 311
24.8 ft
Hughes 31
24.0 ft
Longbow 31 Westerly
25.0 ft
Beam
Balaton 31 ★
9.7 ft
Bristol 311
10.2 ft
Hughes 31
9.7 ft
Longbow 31 Westerly
9.5 ft
Displacement
Balaton 31 ★
8 lbs
Bristol 311
11 lbs
Hughes 31
9 lbs
Longbow 31 Westerly
9 lbs
Ballast
Balaton 31 ★
3 lbs
Bristol 311
4 lbs
Hughes 31
3 lbs
Longbow 31 Westerly
4 lbs
Sail Area
Balaton 31 ★
495 sq ft
Bristol 311
455 sq ft
Hughes 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
371 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Balaton 31 ★
180 s/nm
Bristol 311
Hughes 31
191 s/nm
Longbow 31 Westerly
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Balaton 31 ★
19.8
Bristol 311
14.6
Hughes 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
13.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Balaton 31 ★
Bristol 311
40.2 %
Hughes 31
36.8 %
Longbow 31 Westerly
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Balaton 31 ★
23.0
Bristol 311
29.6
Hughes 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
27.0
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Balaton 31 ★
1.94
Bristol 311
1.82
Hughes 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
1.80
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Balaton 31 ★
Bristol 311
329
Hughes 31
293
Longbow 31 Westerly
Hull Speed
Balaton 31 ★
6.6 kts
Bristol 311
6.7 kts
Hughes 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Balaton 31 ★
Bristol 311
1.4
Hughes 31
Longbow 31 Westerly
1.7
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