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Golden Hind 31
Designer: Maurice Griffiths  ·  Builder: Golden Hind Marine/Newson Boatbuilders  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Golden Hind 31

Designed by renowned British naval architect Maurice Griffiths in 1968, this distinctive 31-footer represents classic English coastal cruising philosophy with its characteristic triple keel configuration. Built by Golden Hind Marine and later Newson Boatbuilders, approximately 250 hulls were produced, establishing a modest but dedicated following among traditionalist sailors. The triple keel design allows the boat to sit upright when dried out, making it ideal for tidal waters and areas with limited marina facilities. This shallow draft configuration, combined with the masthead sloop rig, creates an excellent platform for coastal exploration and short-handed sailing. The wood and fiberglass construction with double chine hull form reflects the era's transition from traditional to modern boatbuilding methods. With a generous beam and substantial displacement, the Golden Hind 31 offers impressive stability and interior volume for its length. The comfortable motion at sea, evidenced by the moderate comfort ratio, makes it well-suited for extended coastal passages and small crew sailing. While not designed for racing, its traditional proportions and seaworthy reputation have earned respect among cruising sailors who value reliability and shallow water capability over speed. The design embodies Griffiths' philosophy of practical, shoal-draft cruising boats perfectly suited to European coastal waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.50 ft / 9.60 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 26.75 ft / 8.15 m
Beam 9.00 ft / 2.74 m
Max Draft 3.67 ft / 1.12 m
Displacement 11,600.00 lb / 5,262 kg
Ballast 4,100.00 lb / 1,860 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 409.00 ft² / 38.00 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Triple Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction Wood/FG/double chine
Designer Maurice Griffiths
Builder Golden Hind Marine/Newson Boatbuilders
First Built 1968
Number Built 250
Associations Eventide Owners Group (UK)
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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
12.81
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
35.34
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
270.54
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
34.08
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
1.59
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. 6.93 kn
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
1.59
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. 860.23 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 12.81
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 33.50 ft / 10.21 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.50 ft / 3.81 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 14.25 ft / 4.34 m
SA Fore 209.38 ft² / 19.45 m²
SA Main 199.50 ft² / 18.53 m²
SA Total (100%) 408.88 ft² / 37.99 m²
Est. Forestay Length 35.76 ft / 10.90 m
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