The Beneteau 331 is with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
7.4 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 30.5′, the Beneteau 331 tops out around 7.4 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √30.5′ LWL = 7.4 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
Displacement / Length
176
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
21.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
2.01
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Hull Speed
7.4kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1,373lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
21.7
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.01
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Beneteau 331 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Catalina 34
Hunter 34
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Beneteau 331.
| Beneteau 331 | Beneteau 361 | Beneteau 423 | Catalina 34 | Hunter 34 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | |||||
| LOA | 33.9 | 36.4 | 42.1 | 34.0 | 34.4 |
| LWL | 30.5 | 31.1 | — | 29.3 | 28.3 |
| Beam | 11.3 | 12.5 | 12.8 | 11.9 | 11.6 |
| Displacement | 11,172 | 13,349 | 19,845 | 11 | 11 |
| Ballast | — | 4,156 | — | 5 | 5 |
| Sail Area | — | 718 | — | 514 | 567 |
| Performance | |||||
| PHRF | — | — | — | 150 | 159 |
| SA/Disp | — | 20.4 | — | 15.7 | 17.5 |
| Bal/Disp | — | 31.1 | — | 41.8 | 42.3 |
| Comfort | 21.7 | 21.7 | — | 22.0 | 23.1 |
| Capsize | 2.01 | 2.11 | 1.89 | 2.09 | 2.04 |
| Hull Speed | 7.4 | 7.5 | — | 7.3 | 7.1 |