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Tanzer 31
Designer: George Cuthbertson  ·  Builder: Tanzer Industries Ltd. (Can)  ·  First built: 1984
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About the Tanzer 31

Built by Canadian manufacturer Tanzer Industries starting in 1984, this 31-footer represents the company's commitment to producing affordable, well-built cruising sailboats. Designed by George Cuthbertson of the renowned Cuthbertson & Cassian firm, the Tanzer 31 combines proven hull geometry with practical accommodations for coastal cruising and club racing. The moderate fin keel and spade rudder configuration delivers predictable handling characteristics, while the masthead sloop rig provides versatility across various wind conditions. With a displacement of 8,300 pounds and 3,300 pounds of ballast, this boat strikes a reasonable balance between stability and performance. The comfort ratio of 20.98 indicates a relatively stiff ride suitable for experienced sailors, while the capsize screening formula of 2.08 suggests good stability for coastal waters. The Tanzer 31's fiberglass construction and thoughtful design details reflect the builder's focus on durability and value. Its 468 square feet of sail area and hull speed of 6.70 knots make it capable of spirited sailing, whether participating in weekend club races or exploring protected coastal waters. The compact 13-horsepower auxiliary engine provides adequate power for maneuvering in tight quarters and calm conditions.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.58 ft / 9.32 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Beam 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
Max Draft 5.25 ft / 1.60 m
Displacement 8,300.00 lb / 3,765 kg
Ballast 3,300.00 lb / 1,497 kg
Ballast Type Cast iron
Sail Area (Reported) 468.00 ft² / 43.48 m²
Headroom 6.33 ft / 1.93 m
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer George Cuthbertson
Builder Tanzer Industries Ltd. (CAN)
First Built 1984
Related Sailboats Pearson 31 2 · Sabre 30 3 · First 305 Beneteau · Hb 31 · Tempest 31 Westerly
Owner Reviews

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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
 165
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
 18.33
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
 39.76
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
 237.14
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
 20.98
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
 2.08
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. 6.70 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
 2.43
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. 937.94 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. 18.33
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 41.00 ft / 12.50 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 37.00 ft / 11.28 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.00 ft / 3.66 m
SA Fore 246.00 ft² / 22.85 m²
SA Main 222.00 ft² / 20.62 m²
SA Total (100%) 468.00 ft² / 43.48 m²
Est. Forestay Length 42.72 ft / 13.02 m
Mast Height (DWL) 45.00 ft / 13.72 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 13
Fuel Capacity 20 gals / 76 L
Water Capacity 35 gals / 132 L
How It Compares

vs. First 305 Beneteau, Hb 31, Pearson 31 2, Sabre 30 3, Tempest 31 Westerly

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Tanzer 31 ★
30.6 ft
First 305 Beneteau
30.5 ft
Hb 31
30.5 ft
Pearson 31 2
30.7 ft
Sabre 30 3
30.6 ft
Tempest 31 Westerly
30.6 ft
LWL
Tanzer 31 ★
25.0 ft
First 305 Beneteau
26.8 ft
Hb 31
23.6 ft
Pearson 31 2
25.4 ft
Sabre 30 3
25.5 ft
Tempest 31 Westerly
24.5 ft
Beam
Tanzer 31 ★
10.5 ft
First 305 Beneteau
10.5 ft
Hb 31
10.5 ft
Pearson 31 2
10.7 ft
Sabre 30 3
10.5 ft
Tempest 31 Westerly
10.8 ft
Displacement
Tanzer 31 ★
8 lbs
First 305 Beneteau
8 lbs
Hb 31
5 lbs
Pearson 31 2
10 lbs
Sabre 30 3
9 lbs
Tempest 31 Westerly
9 lbs
Ballast
Tanzer 31 ★
3 lbs
First 305 Beneteau
2 lbs
Hb 31
2 lbs
Pearson 31 2
3 lbs
Sabre 30 3
3 lbs
Tempest 31 Westerly
2 lbs
Sail Area
Tanzer 31 ★
468 sq ft
First 305 Beneteau
—
Hb 31
370 sq ft
Pearson 31 2
493 sq ft
Sabre 30 3
461 sq ft
Tempest 31 Westerly
400 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Tanzer 31 ★
165 s/nm
First 305 Beneteau
—
Hb 31
—
Pearson 31 2
180 s/nm
Sabre 30 3
—
Tempest 31 Westerly
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Tanzer 31 ★
18.3
First 305 Beneteau
—
Hb 31
19.1
Pearson 31 2
17.1
Sabre 30 3
16.6
Tempest 31 Westerly
14.8
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Tanzer 31 ★
39.8 %
First 305 Beneteau
36.1 %
Hb 31
—
Pearson 31 2
38.0 %
Sabre 30 3
—
Tempest 31 Westerly
29.8 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Tanzer 31 ★
21.0
First 305 Beneteau
—
Hb 31
14.5
Pearson 31 2
24.5
Sabre 30 3
23.5
Tempest 31 Westerly
22.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Tanzer 31 ★
2.08
First 305 Beneteau
—
Hb 31
2.38
Pearson 31 2
1.98
Sabre 30 3
1.99
Tempest 31 Westerly
2.08
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Tanzer 31 ★
237
First 305 Beneteau
192
Hb 31
—
Pearson 31 2
271
Sabre 30 3
—
Tempest 31 Westerly
273
Hull Speed
Tanzer 31 ★
6.7 kts
First 305 Beneteau
—
Hb 31
6.5 kts
Pearson 31 2
6.8 kts
Sabre 30 3
6.8 kts
Tempest 31 Westerly
6.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Tanzer 31 ★
2.4
First 305 Beneteau
—
Hb 31
3.1
Pearson 31 2
2.0
Sabre 30 3
2.1
Tempest 31 Westerly
—
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