Seafarer 31 information

deckhanddave · #1 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006

Hi all, I'm new here. I've been looking at 30ft cruising boats for a few months now. I saw two alberg 30's, a rawson 30 and recently came across a seafarer for sale. I've found gobs of information about the alberg and rawson, but can't find much on the Bill Tripp designed seafarer 31. I like her lines but that doesn't really tell me too too much about her on the water. I have a few questions on her, especially her apparently light weight (8000# displacement in comparison to the 9000# alberg and 12000# rawson) and anyone's hands on experience with her (seakindliness, heel angle, how tender?) Thanks in advance.

--->dave

seabreeze_97 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006

All the info I'm seeing shows the Seafarer 31 at over 10,000lbs, and if based on that info, it would have a low capsize ratio and a comfortable seakindly nature. Pretty tender initially.
http://www.sndi.net/seafarer31/fohn.htm
Check out this resto site.

deckhanddave · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2006

I saw that site too, they did a really nice job on her. The thing is that my seafarer is a sloop not a yawl and the survey weight put her at a bit over 8000#. It was a factory hull with a custom deck/interior so its possible that the sloop and weight issue is a custom thing as well. I figured as much about the CR and comfort factor, but they are just numbers. Anyone have any other information?

kavakava · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2006

Initially Seafarers were kit boats of dubious construction. However, a Brit named Brian Ackworth started building them in a factory in Huntington, NY, and quality and consistency improved. Most of the one's I've seen were designed by McCurdy and Rhodes, sailed very well, and had a modified fin keel and a skeg rudder. Like most boats of that era, blisters were an issue. We sailed the hell out of a 22 for a number of years, and really loved it.

txgypsySoul · #5 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006

Hello,
I am the owner of a 1967 Seafer 31 sloop. If You need more info contact me at txgyupdysoul@cableone.net

Richard

buzzhornet · #6 (**permalink**) 09-19-2008

I've owned a 1973 Tripp designed Seafarer 31 mk 1 yawl for about five years. When I first got the boat, I'd say she needed quite a bit of TLC. I'm getting there. She sails wonderfully though and is quite a head turner with the black hull and the attached bow sprit, I think that was a mod from the original design. I recently took third place in a regatta with10 other boats, beating several more modern and supposedly faster yachts handily. The yawl rig really gets up and goes on a reach. She has a tendancy to roll in a following swell due to the narrow hull, but will point nearly as high as a sloop with a deeper keel. Average top speed seems to be 6.5 but I've seen over 10 when surfing down a wave. A fun boat to sail.

Danjcon · #7 (**permalink**) 09-20-2008

I'm surprised no one pointed out this was an old thread...but I'm glad you responded. I purchased a 1971 31' Seafarer Yawl, Tripp design this past winter. It was in decent shape, pretty much ready to sail once I got the engine running. Anyway, I am interested in keeping contact with other Seafarer owners. Our boat is located off the Patapsco River off the Chesapeake. I am new to sailing, but it's always been a dream.

Dan