Midget 31 Information, Review, Specs

With a length overall of just over 31 feet, the Midget 31 provides a spacious and accommodating platform for its size. Its solid construction and classic lines appeal to sailors seeking a dependable vessel with a timeless aesthetic, built by a yard known for its commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Production of the Midget 31 commenced in 1995, with the model continuing to be built into recent years, a testament to its enduring appeal and practical design. The Midget 31's hull form is unashamedly derived from the Baltic sloops of the early 1800s, imbuing it with a distinctive double-ended shape and a design philosophy focused on unparalleled offshore performance for a yacht of its size. The primary goal was to create a vessel that prioritizes seaworthiness, comfortable cruising capabilities, and robust construction.

Jachtwerf Gebr. De Kloet BV, operating since 1959, embraced fiberglass (GRP) construction from its inception, establishing a reputation for durable and well-regarded vessels. Their manufacturing ethos emphasizes a steady commitment to quality and craftsmanship, producing yachts known for blending seaworthiness with comfortable sailing characteristics. The shipyard's dedication to high standards is further evidenced by its in-house stainless steel construction and polishing division. While the Midget 31 maintained a consistent design, a single-aftercabin version was also available, offering a cavernous cockpit locker and an even larger heads compartment.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Midget 31 is characterized by its heavy displacement and long keel, contributing significantly to its sailing characteristics. With a low sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 13.03, the Midget 31 is not a light-air performer and tends to be slow in lighter winds, a characteristic that some owners address with a larger genoa. However, its substantial ballast to displacement ratio of about 0.44 indicates excellent stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up well to a considerable amount of wind.

The displacement to length ratio, a high 317, firmly places the Midget 31 in the category of a heavy, traditional cruiser, emphasizing comfort and seakindliness over raw speed. Its long keel provides exceptional directional stability, enabling the boat to track beautifully in a seaway and instilling confidence on open waters. While generally praised for its stable handling and solid performance, some reports indicate it can wander slightly and may not be as comfortable sailing too deep, particularly in large quartering swells, and can sometimes exhibit a slight "porpoising" motion in short seas. The long keel, while beneficial for directional stability, can make the boat less nimble in confined spaces like harbors.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Midget 31 is designed with comfort and practicality in mind, especially for family cruising. With a maximum headroom of 6.33 feet, the saloon feels surprisingly roomy and comfortable. The typical layout includes a spacious saloon, offering sleeping capacity for up to six people, and generally features ample stowage space throughout. The galley is often situated to starboard.

While the interior is described as well put together, and the teak finish contributes to a classic feel, some owner observations suggest that the quality of the internal woodwork may vary and has been noted as a common issue across Midget models. The foredeck benefits from the full bow, providing a generous amount of space which is particularly advantageous for anchor handling. Owners often praise the roomy layout, stating it offers more space than many comparable boats.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the Midget 31 consistently express high satisfaction with their vessels, frequently commending the solid construction and seaworthy design that provides a comfortable motion in a seaway. The boat is widely appreciated for its capability as an offshore cruiser and its spacious interior.

However, some common points of discussion among owners include the observation that the Midget 31 can be slow in light winds, leading some to recommend a larger Genoa sail to improve performance in such conditions. A recurring comment relates to the cockpit not being self-draining, which owners have noted as an annoying characteristic. Additionally, some owners have pointed out that the woodwork inside, while generally pleasant, may not always meet the highest standards, which is sometimes cited as a common issue among Midgets.