Rush Royale 31 (Jeanneau) Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Rush Royale 31 began its production run in 1979 and continued until 1984. During this period, Jeanneau, under the ownership of United States-based Bangor Punta, was solidifying its presence in the sailboat market, building upon the success of models like the Sangria introduced a decade earlier. Jeanneau's manufacturing ethos emphasized embracing new technologies and creating "liveable boats" with elegant, modern lines and clever layouts, balancing performance with onboard comfort.

The design by Ron Holland, a distinguished naval architect also associated with prestigious Swan yachts, aimed to create a robust racer that could also serve as a comfortable cruiser. The Rush 31 series, from which the Rush Royale 31 emerged, was further developed into a family of derivative models to cater to various performance needs. Notable variations included the GTE and REGATTA models, some featuring a lead keel for enhanced stability. The RUSH ROYAL RDF version gained particular recognition, being selected for the demanding "Tour de France à la voile" yacht race in both 1982 and 1983. Another variant, the TDF, was very similar to the RDF but utilized an iron keel. This diverse offering underscored the design's versatility and its appeal to a range of sailing enthusiasts.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Jeanneau Rush Royale 31, with its design rooted in IOR racing, exhibits characteristics that translate into an engaging sailing experience. Its Sail Area to Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of approximately 19.94 suggests that the boat is well-powered and capable of performing capably in lighter air conditions, while still being manageable as the wind builds.

The Ballast to Displacement (Bal/Disp) ratio of around 0.39 indicates a moderate to good level of stiffness and stability, allowing the boat to stand up to a breeze and carry its canvas effectively. The Displacement to Length (Disp/LWL) ratio, calculated at approximately 173.95, places the Rush Royale 31 in the lighter-to-medium displacement category for its length, implying a relatively agile and performance-oriented hull form. This characteristic contributes to its reputation as an "upwind imperial sailboat," suggesting strong performance when sailing against the wind. Owners and reviewers note that while its performance varies between cruising and racing configurations, the boat generally offers efficient handling characteristics, a testament to Ron Holland's racing design philosophy. Its fin keel and spade rudder contribute to its responsiveness and maneuverability.

Accommodations and Layout

While specific detailed interior layouts of the Rush Royale 31 are not extensively documented in broad public search results, it is generally described as offering a comfortable cruising experience with a well-equipped interior. As a 30-foot racer-cruiser of its era, its interior layout would typically prioritize functionality and efficient use of space, characteristic of Jeanneau's "liveable boats" philosophy for the cruising market.

Common arrangements for boats of this size usually include a V-berth forward, a compact head compartment, a salon with opposing settees that can often convert into berths, a galley area, and potentially a quarter berth aft. The presence of a 24-gallon water capacity suggests reasonable amenities for coastal cruising. Given the boat's length and the design trends of the late 1970s and early 1980s, standing headroom might be somewhat limited in certain areas, though efforts would have been made to maximize usable volume for comfort. Interior finishes would likely have featured a blend of fiberglass liners with wood trim, offering durability and a classic nautical aesthetic.

(A section on "Owner's Perspectives" would typically be included here. However, comprehensive, synthesized information reflecting collective owner viewpoints, common strengths, weaknesses, or recurring maintenance issues for the Jeanneau Rush Royale 31 was not readily available through grounded search. Therefore, this section has been omitted to adhere to the guideline of not fabricating information.)