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Parker 31
Designer: Tony Castro  ·  Builder: Parker Yachts  ·  First built: 1987
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About the Parker 31

Produced by the British manufacturer Parker Boats, the Parker 31 is a capable and versatile cruising sailboat that has earned a loyal following among coastal and offshore sailors. Parker has long been associated with building practical, seaworthy vessels, and the 31 fits neatly into that tradition, offering a solid platform for those looking to venture beyond sheltered waters with confidence. Designed with a focus on performance and reliability, the Parker 31 suits sailors who want a genuinely capable bluewater-capable cruiser without sacrificing ease of handling. Its hull form is intended to provide a stable, comfortable ride in a range of sea conditions, making it a strong candidate for extended coastal passages or weekend cruising alike. The boat rewards competent seamanship and appeals particularly to those who prioritise build quality and sea-kindliness over flashy aesthetics. For buyers researching mid-sized British cruisers, the Parker 31 represents a pragmatic and dependable choice. While detailed specifications can be limited in availability, the boat's reputation speaks to a design philosophy rooted in real-world sailing rather than marina showmanship.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 28.25 ft / 8.61 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Min Draft 2.00 ft / 0.61 m
Displacement 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Ballast 2,300.00 lb / 1,043 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 448.00 ft² / 41.62 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Tony Castro
Builder Parker Yachts
First Built 1987
Last Built 1993
Related Sailboats ["Cr 310" · "Hanse 315 2006" · "Catalina 310" · "First 31.7 Beneteau" · "Hughes 31"]
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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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
 19.65
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
 17.32
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
 2.09
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. 7.12
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
 3.93
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) 35.34
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.12
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.67
SA Fore 194.37
SA Main 253.72
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 310, First 31.7 Beneteau, Hanse 315 2006

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Parker 31 ★
31.0 ft
Catalina 310
31.0 ft
First 31.7 Beneteau
31.0 ft
Hanse 315 2006
31.0 ft
LWL
Parker 31 ★
28.3 ft
Catalina 310
26.5 ft
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
27.2 ft
Beam
Parker 31 ★
10.0 ft
Catalina 310
11.5 ft
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
10.5 ft
Displacement
Parker 31 ★
7 lbs
Catalina 310
10 lbs
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
9 lbs
Ballast
Parker 31 ★
2 lbs
Catalina 310
4 lbs
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
2 lbs
Sail Area
Parker 31 ★
448 sq ft
Catalina 310
493 sq ft
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
655 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Parker 31 ★
19.7
Catalina 310
16.7
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
23.5
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Parker 31 ★
17.3
Catalina 310
22.1
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
22.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Parker 31 ★
2.09
Catalina 310
2.12
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
1.99
Hull Speed
Parker 31 ★
7.1 kts
Catalina 310
6.9 kts
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
7.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Parker 31 ★
3.9
Catalina 310
2.2
First 31.7 Beneteau
—
Hanse 315 2006
2.7
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