The Finn Flyer 31 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a quick, snappy motion best suited to day sailing, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 24.8′, the Finn Flyer 31 tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.8′ LWL = 6.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
162s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
SA / Displacement
17.7
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
33.4%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
212
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Comfort Ratio
18.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Capsize Screening
2.17
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
930lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
18.4
Quick, snappy motion — better for day sails and racing than long passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
2.17
Above the 2.0 offshore threshold — best suited for coastal and protected waters.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Finn Flyer 31 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Noelex 30
119s/nm
Finn Flyer 31
162s/nm
Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.
Dehler 31
162s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 kts),
SA/D (17.7), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Finn Flyer 31 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–20 kts
20–28 kts
28+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–20 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
20–28 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
28+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Finn Flyer 31.
|
Finn Flyer 31 |
Dehler 31 |
Ericson 31 Independence |
Farr 30 Mumm 30 |
Hallberg Rassy 312 |
Noelex 30 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
30.8 |
30.8 |
30.9 |
30.9 |
30.9 |
30.9 |
| LWL |
24.8 |
24.3 |
23.9 |
27.6 |
25.3 |
26.8 |
| Beam |
10.5 |
10.2 |
10.4 |
10.1 |
10.1 |
9.4 |
| Displacement |
7 |
7 |
11 |
4 |
10 |
4 |
| Ballast |
2 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
413 |
443 |
457 |
504 |
484 |
410 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
162 |
162 |
— |
— |
— |
119 |
| SA/Disp |
17.7 |
19.3 |
14.5 |
29.4 |
15.9 |
25.6 |
| Bal/Disp |
33.4 |
40.6 |
39.5 |
43.8 |
44.9 |
31.4 |
| Comfort |
18.4 |
18.9 |
29.9 |
11.3 |
28.5 |
11.5 |
| Capsize |
2.17 |
2.12 |
1.86 |
2.44 |
1.83 |
2.34 |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
7.0 |
6.7 |
6.9 |