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Pierce Arrow 31

Designer: Mark Leonard  ·  Builder: Freedom Yachts Ltd. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Pierce Arrow 31

Designed by Mark Leonard and built by Freedom Yachts Ltd. starting in 1984, this 31-footer represents a thoughtful approach to coastal cruising with occasional offshore capability. The Pierce Arrow 31 combines moderate proportions with practical sailing characteristics that appeal to cruising sailors seeking a balance between comfort and performance. With its fin keel configuration and masthead sloop rig, the boat offers respectable sailing ability while maintaining the stability needed for extended cruising. The relatively low comfort ratio of 16.43 suggests a design that prioritizes sailing performance over maximum interior volume, while the capsize screening formula of 2.18 indicates reasonable offshore capability for experienced sailors, though coastal and near-coastal sailing remains its primary strength. The fiberglass construction ensures durability and low maintenance, important considerations for cruising sailors. At 6,200 pounds displacement with 423 square feet of sail area, the Pierce Arrow 31 delivers a sail area-to-displacement ratio that promises lively performance in moderate conditions while remaining manageable for a small crew. This boat appeals particularly to sailors seeking a well-proportioned cruiser that can handle weekend coastal adventures and longer passages with equal competence, offering the versatility that makes it suitable for both day sailing and extended cruising plans.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.50 ft / 7.77 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 6,200.00 lb / 2,812 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 423.00 ft² / 39.30 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Mark Leonard
Builder Freedom Yachts Ltd. (USA)
First Built 1984
Related Sailboats Bristol 311 · Hughes 31 · Island Packet 31 · Parker 31 · Catalina 310
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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
 132
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
 20.12
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
 166.93
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
 16.43
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
 2.18
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. 6.77 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
 3.53
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. 911.14 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. 20.12
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 38.00 ft / 11.58 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 32.50 ft / 9.91 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
SA Fore 228.00 ft² / 21.18 m²
SA Main 195.00 ft² / 18.12 m²
SA Total (100%) 423.00 ft² / 39.30 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.85 ft / 12.15 m
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 311, Catalina 310, Hughes 31, Island Packet 31, Parker 31

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
31.0 ft
Bristol 311
31.0 ft
Catalina 310
31.0 ft
Hughes 31
31.0 ft
Island Packet 31
31.0 ft
Parker 31
31.0 ft
LWL
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
25.5 ft
Bristol 311
24.8 ft
Catalina 310
26.5 ft
Hughes 31
24.0 ft
Island Packet 31
27.8 ft
Parker 31
28.3 ft
Beam
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
10.0 ft
Bristol 311
10.2 ft
Catalina 310
11.5 ft
Hughes 31
9.7 ft
Island Packet 31
11.6 ft
Parker 31
10.0 ft
Displacement
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
6 lbs
Bristol 311
11 lbs
Catalina 310
10 lbs
Hughes 31
9 lbs
Island Packet 31
11 lbs
Parker 31
7 lbs
Ballast
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
—
Bristol 311
4 lbs
Catalina 310
4 lbs
Hughes 31
3 lbs
Island Packet 31
4 lbs
Parker 31
2 lbs
Sail Area
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
423 sq ft
Bristol 311
455 sq ft
Catalina 310
493 sq ft
Hughes 31
—
Island Packet 31
530 sq ft
Parker 31
448 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
132 s/nm
Bristol 311
—
Catalina 310
177 s/nm
Hughes 31
191 s/nm
Island Packet 31
186 s/nm
Parker 31
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
20.1
Bristol 311
14.6
Catalina 310
16.7
Hughes 31
—
Island Packet 31
17.2
Parker 31
19.7
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
—
Bristol 311
40.2 %
Catalina 310
38.8 %
Hughes 31
36.8 %
Island Packet 31
40.9 %
Parker 31
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
16.4
Bristol 311
29.6
Catalina 310
22.1
Hughes 31
—
Island Packet 31
22.6
Parker 31
17.3
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
2.18
Bristol 311
1.82
Catalina 310
2.12
Hughes 31
—
Island Packet 31
2.09
Parker 31
2.09
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
166
Bristol 311
329
Catalina 310
247
Hughes 31
293
Island Packet 31
229
Parker 31
—
Hull Speed
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
6.8 kts
Bristol 311
6.7 kts
Catalina 310
6.9 kts
Hughes 31
—
Island Packet 31
7.1 kts
Parker 31
7.1 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Pierce Arrow 31 ★
3.5
Bristol 311
1.4
Catalina 310
2.2
Hughes 31
—
Island Packet 31
2.4
Parker 31
3.9
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