Hunter 31
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Photo: Ahunt / CC0
About the Hunter 31
Built from 1983 to 1987, this mid-sized cruiser from Hunter Marine represents the builder's approach to affordable family sailing during the 1980s boom. Designed by Cortland Steck, the Hunter 31 features a modern fin keel and spade rudder configuration that delivers responsive handling and good upwind performance for coastal cruising adventures. With a displacement of 9,700 pounds and 4,000 pounds of ballast, this fiberglass sailboat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance. The generous beam of nearly 11 feet creates a spacious interior for weekend getaways and extended coastal passages, while the moderate draft of 5.3 feet provides access to most harbors and anchorages. The boat's sail area of 458 square feet and Bermuda rig setup offer versatile sailing characteristics suitable for both casual day sailing and more ambitious coastal cruising. The comfort ratio of 22.36 suggests a relatively quick motion in seaways, making it better suited for active sailors rather than those seeking the most comfortable ride possible. Hunter's focus on value and practicality shines through in this design, creating a capable platform for sailors looking to explore coastal waters without breaking the budget. The 16-horsepower engine provides adequate auxiliary power for maneuvering in tight quarters.
Market Price Estimate
Beta
$5,000 – $20,000
typical asking price
Rate a listing price
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About this estimate
- Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
- Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
- Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
- Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall)
31.33 ft / 9.55 m
LWL (Waterline Length)
26.25 ft / 8.00 m
Beam
10.92 ft / 3.33 m
Max Draft
5.30 ft / 1.62 m
Displacement
9,700.00 lb / 4,400 kg
Ballast
4,000.00 lb / 1,814 kg
Sail Area (Reported)
458.00 ft² / 42.55 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type
Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type
B&R
Construction
FG
Designer
Cortland Steck
Builder
Hunter Marine (USA)
First Built
1983
Last Built
1987
Related Sailboats
Tartan 31 · Irwin 31 Citation · Cape Dory 31 · Niagara 31 · Tashiba 31
Owner Reviews
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
Known Issues & What to Watch For
Hunter's deck construction during this era used a balsa-cored deck that is prone to water intrusion around chainplates, stanchion bases, and deck hardware. Once wet, the balsa core loses structural integrity and delamination can spread significantly before becoming visible.
The deck-to-hull joint on Hunter 31s of this era was an inward-turning flange secured with bolts and sealant rather than a glassed-over joint. This joint is known to leak and can allow water intrusion into the hull-deck connection, leading to separation over time.
The fin keel attachment uses keel bolts that pass through a relatively thin keel stub. Bolt corrosion and weeping around the keel-to-hull joint is commonly reported; the bilge sump area should be carefully inspected for rust staining or movement in the keel.
Chainplate backing plates on this model are often undersized aluminum or mild steel plates embedded in the fiberglass structure, which corrode and can fail without obvious external symptoms. Removal and inspection of the interior liner is often required to assess their condition.
Hunter used a snap-in interior liner system that hides much of the hull interior and makes inspection of hull layup, floor timber bonding, and through-hull fittings difficult without partial disassembly of the liner.
The interior liner attachment points are bonded with tabs that can release over time, causing squeaking, movement, and water trapping behind the liner panels, which accelerates hidden fiberglass degradation.
Wiring from this production era often used undersized conductors and non-tinned copper wire that corrodes readily in the marine environment. The original wiring runs hidden behind the interior liner are difficult to inspect or replace without significant disassembly.
The spade rudder on this model is supported by a single rudder post with bearings at deck level and at the hull exit. The lower bearing housing is known to wear, allowing slop in the rudder that can accelerate post fatigue; check for play by rocking the rudder by hand.
Own or have surveyed a Hunter 31? Submit a known issue
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
183
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
16.17
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
41.24
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
239.41
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
22.36
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
2.05
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.
6.87 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
2.19
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.
1,024.23 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.
16.16
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height)
42.00 ft / 12.80 m
J (Foretriangle Base)
12.00 ft / 3.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff)
37.42 ft / 11.41 m
E (Mainsail Foot)
11.00 ft / 3.35 m
SA Fore
252.00 ft² / 23.41 m²
SA Main
205.81 ft² / 19.12 m²
SA Total (100%)
457.81 ft² / 42.53 m²
Est. Forestay Length
43.68 ft / 13.31 m
Mast Height (DWL)
47.33 ft / 14.43 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make
Yanmar
Engine Type
Diesel
Horsepower
16
Fuel Capacity
18 gals / 68 L
Water Capacity
33 gals / 125 L
How It Compares
vs. Cape Dory 31, Irwin 31 Citation, Niagara 31, Tartan 31, Tashiba 31
This boat
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Dimensions
LOA
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
LWL
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
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Beam
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
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Displacement
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
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Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Ballast
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Sail Area
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Performance
PHRF Rating
(lower = faster)
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
SA / Displacement
(higher = more powerful)
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Ballast / Disp
(higher = stiffer)
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Comfort Ratio
(higher = more comfortable offshore)
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Capsize Screening
(lower = safer)
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Displacement / Length
(lower = lighter)
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Hull Speed
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
Speed Number
(higher = faster)
Hunter 31 ★
Cape Dory 31
Irwin 31 Citation
Niagara 31
Tartan 31
Tashiba 31
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