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Bombay Pilothouse 31
Designer: Walter Scott  ·  Builder: New Bombay Trading Co.  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Bombay Pilothouse 31

Built during the late 1980s and early 1990s, this distinctive pilothouse design represents Bombay Marine's attempt to create a comfortable coastal cruiser with enhanced weather protection. The raised cabin configuration provides excellent visibility while underway and creates a sheltered helm position that proves invaluable during foul weather sailing. The pilothouse layout distinguishes this model from traditional sailboat designs, offering a practical solution for sailors who value comfort without sacrificing sailing performance. This arrangement creates a natural separation between the navigation station and living quarters below, while maintaining good sight lines for the helmsman. The design philosophy clearly prioritized ease of handling and crew comfort over pure racing performance. With moderate displacement characteristics typical of late 1980s production boats, the Pilothouse 31 handles best in coastal and near-shore conditions. The protected helm position makes it particularly appealing for sailors in northern climates or those who frequently encounter challenging weather conditions. While production numbers remained relatively limited, the model developed a following among cruising sailors who appreciated the practical pilothouse configuration and solid construction typical of Bombay Marine's offerings during this era.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.58 ft / 7.80 m
Beam 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Max Draft 3.50 ft / 1.07 m
Displacement 10,250.00 lb / 4,649 kg
Ballast 3,400.00 lb / 1,542 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 419.00 ft² / 38.93 m²
Headroom 6.50 ft / 1.98 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Long keel w/rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Walter Scott
Builder New Bombay Trading Co.
First Built 1976
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Performance Ratios
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
14.26
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
23.88
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
2.03
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. 6.78
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.56
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.3
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.3
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.3
E (Mainsail Foot) 11.7
SA Fore 192.1
SA Main 183.11
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