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Newport 31
Designer: Gary Mull  ·  Builder: Capital Yachts Inc.  ·  First built: 1987
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About the Newport 31

Produced by Newport Boats during the 1970s, the Newport 31 earned a reputation as a practical and accessible coastal cruiser that appealed to sailors looking for a capable but approachable vessel. Designed with the weekend cruiser in mind, this fiberglass sloop offered a comfortable balance between livability and sailing performance, making it a popular choice among sailors stepping up to a mid-size cruising boat for the first time. The Newport 31 is generally regarded as a solid daysailer and coastal cruiser, well-suited to protected bays, inlets, and nearshore passages rather than demanding offshore passages. Its interior accommodations were thoughtfully arranged for its size, offering enough space for a couple or small crew to spend extended time aboard without feeling cramped. The boat's forgiving nature and relatively easy handling made it a favorite among sailors who prioritized comfort and ease of use over outright racing performance. While not considered a performance-oriented design, the Newport 31 remains a respected entry in the cruising market and continues to attract buyers seeking an affordable and reliable vintage cruiser.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.67 ft / 9.35 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.00 ft / 8.23 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 5.16 ft / 1.57 m
Displacement 8,500.00 lb / 3,856 kg
Ballast 2,600.00 lb / 1,179 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 447.00 ft² / 41.53 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Gary Mull
Builder Capital Yachts Inc.
First Built 1987
Related Sailboats ["Tanzer 31" · "Catalina 309" · "Pearson 31 2" · "First 305 Beneteau" · "Oceanis 301 Beneteau"]
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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
 177
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
 17.23
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
 20.4
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
 2.06
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. 6.96
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
 2.82
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) 43.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.67
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.0
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.25
SA Fore 272.41
SA Main 174.25
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 309, First 305 Beneteau, Pearson 31 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Newport 31 ★
30.7 ft
Catalina 309
30.8 ft
First 305 Beneteau
30.5 ft
Pearson 31 2
30.7 ft
LWL
Newport 31 ★
27.0 ft
Catalina 309
26.0 ft
First 305 Beneteau
26.8 ft
Pearson 31 2
25.4 ft
Beam
Newport 31 ★
10.5 ft
Catalina 309
11.0 ft
First 305 Beneteau
10.5 ft
Pearson 31 2
10.7 ft
Displacement
Newport 31 ★
8 lbs
Catalina 309
9 lbs
First 305 Beneteau
8 lbs
Pearson 31 2
10 lbs
Ballast
Newport 31 ★
2 lbs
Catalina 309
3 lbs
First 305 Beneteau
2 lbs
Pearson 31 2
3 lbs
Sail Area
Newport 31 ★
447 sq ft
Catalina 309
452 sq ft
First 305 Beneteau
—
Pearson 31 2
493 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Newport 31 ★
177 s/nm
Catalina 309
167 s/nm
First 305 Beneteau
—
Pearson 31 2
180 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Newport 31 ★
17.2
Catalina 309
16.4
First 305 Beneteau
—
Pearson 31 2
17.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Newport 31 ★
—
Catalina 309
41.3 %
First 305 Beneteau
36.1 %
Pearson 31 2
38.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Newport 31 ★
20.4
Catalina 309
21.1
First 305 Beneteau
—
Pearson 31 2
24.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Newport 31 ★
2.06
Catalina 309
2.10
First 305 Beneteau
—
Pearson 31 2
1.98
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Newport 31 ★
—
Catalina 309
233
First 305 Beneteau
192
Pearson 31 2
271
Hull Speed
Newport 31 ★
7.0 kts
Catalina 309
6.8 kts
First 305 Beneteau
—
Pearson 31 2
6.8 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Newport 31 ★
2.8
Catalina 309
—
First 305 Beneteau
—
Pearson 31 2
2.0
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