Hotfoot 31 Information, Review, Specs

The Hotfoot 31's genesis can be traced back to the success of its smaller sibling, the Hotfoot 27, which established Hotfoot Boats as a builder of performance-oriented sailing yachts from Vancouver Island. Designer Doug Hemphill, known for his focus on spirited sailing, crafted the Hotfoot 31 as a natural progression from the versatile racer-cruiser philosophy embodied in the Hotfoot 27. The company's manufacturing ethos, as evident across its models, prioritized fiberglass construction to achieve lightweight yet robust vessels. The Hotfoot 31, with its production beginning in 1984, was built using a solid fiberglass hull and deck, indicative of a modern approach to sailboat construction during that era. While no significant variations like MkI or MkII models are widely documented, the Hotfoot 31 was consistently built with a fractional sloop rig. The design aimed for a slightly more spacious hull compared to typical race boats, hinting at a dual purpose as a comfortable cruiser in addition to its racing aspirations.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Hotfoot 31 is characterized by a design optimized for performance. With a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 25.31, she exhibits excellent potential for sailing in light wind conditions, promising a lively response even when the breeze is subtle. Her ballast to displacement ratio (B/D) of 0.40 indicates a boat with good initial stability, allowing her to stand up well to her canvas in stronger winds and contribute to a stiff sailing attitude. Furthermore, a low displacement to length ratio (D/L) of around 127.08 places the Hotfoot 31 firmly in the lightweight, performance-oriented category, suggesting a boat that is agile and capable of impressive speeds for its size. Overall, the Hotfoot 31 is described as "very stable / stiff" and is often considered best suited as a racing boat, while still being recognized as a capable racer/cruiser. Her fractional rig, which typically allows for easier management of sail area, complements her performance characteristics, making her responsive and engaging to sail.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its performance-oriented design, the Hotfoot 31 offers a surprisingly spacious interior, deviating from the typically spartan layouts found on pure race boats. This thoughtful design provides standing headroom, a significant comfort feature for a vessel of just over 31 feet. A notable characteristic of the Hotfoot 31's interior is the presence of two massive quarter berths, which provide generous sleeping accommodations or storage. While specific details on the galley, salon, and head configurations are not widely detailed, the general impression is one of a boat that balances its speed aspirations with practical living space, making it suitable for overnight trips or weekend cruising.