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Val 31
Designer: Dick Newick  ·  Builder: Dafy Duck Marine (Usa)  ·  First built: 1975
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About the Val 31

Designed by legendary multihull pioneer Dick Newick in 1975, this distinctive trimaran represents an early exploration into high-performance sailing technology. With only 30 hulls built by Dafy Duck Marine, the Val 31 stands as a rare example of innovative construction methods from the mid-1970s sailing scene. The boat's advanced composite construction featuring fiberglass with polyurethane foam core, reinforced with carbon fiber and Kevlar, was remarkably progressive for its era. This lightweight building approach, combined with the fractional sloop rig featuring a rotating mast, creates an exceptionally responsive sailing platform ideal for performance-oriented sailors and racing enthusiasts. At 31 feet overall with a waterline length of nearly 28 feet, the trimaran configuration delivers impressive speed potential while maintaining reasonable handling characteristics for coastal sailing and club racing. The substantial sail area relative to displacement indicates strong light-air performance, while the shallow 6-foot draft opens access to shoal waters often denied to conventional monohulls. Dick Newick's reputation for creating fast, seaworthy multihulls makes this design particularly appealing to sailors seeking unique performance characteristics. The Val 31 suits adventurous sailors comfortable with trimaran handling dynamics and interested in experiencing a piece of multihull sailing history.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.16 ft / 9.50 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.83 ft / 8.48 m
Beam 25.00 ft / 7.62 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Min Draft 1.42 ft / 0.43 m
Displacement 2,200.00 lb / 998 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 440.00 ft² / 40.88 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Trimaran Dbrd.
Rigging Type Frac. Sloop (Rotating Spar)
Construction FG w/poly foam, carbon and kev.
Designer Dick Newick
Builder Dafy Duck Marine (USA)
First Built 1975
Number Built 30
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Performance Ratios
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
1.61
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
7.7
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. 7.07 kn
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. 14.91 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
KSP 1.18
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