Golden Hind 31 Mk II — Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The sailing characteristics of the Golden Hind 31 Mk II are defined by stability and predictability rather than raw speed. With a heavy displacement-to-length ratio, the vessel is unfazed by heavy weather, maintaining a steady motion that minimizes crew fatigue during offshore passages. The boat is almost exclusively rigged as a cutter or a ketch, with the cutter rig being particularly favored for its versatility in balancing the sail plan as wind speeds increase.

Handling is dominated by the long central keel and flanking bilge keels. While this setup prevents the boat from pointing as high as a modern fin-keel racer, it provides exceptional tracking and directional stability. According to technical insights often shared by the Golden Hind Association, the boat excels on a reach, where its weight and hull form allow it to power through chop without the slamming associated with flatter-bottomed designs. However, the high wetted surface area means that light-air performance can be sluggish, often requiring the iron sail (the engine) to maintain progress in drifting conditions. The helm is typically heavy but communicative, providing a sense of security that is highly prized by solo sailors and couples.

Interior Comfort & Variations

For a 31-foot vessel, the Golden Hind 31 Mk II offers a surprising amount of internal volume, largely due to its relatively wide beam and high freeboard. The layout is traditional, typically featuring a "V" berth in the forward cabin, a full-width head and hanging locker, and a main saloon with two setties that can double as sea berths. The Mk II’s transition to GRP allowed for more standardized interior moldings, though many were still finished with extensive teak or mahogany joinery, lending them a warm, "ship-shape" aesthetic.

Headroom is a notable feature, often exceeding six feet in the main cabin, which is a rarity for boats of this vintage and size. Variations in the Mk II primarily revolve around the galley and navigation station configuration; some owners opted for a larger chart table to accommodate paper charts for circumnavigation, while others prioritized a more expansive galley for coastal cruising. The sibling Golden Hind 26 and the later Golden Hind 34 share the same DNA, but the 31 is widely considered the "sweet spot" of the range, balancing manageable handling with enough storage capacity for multi-month voyages.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Golden Hind 31 gained significant notoriety in the cruising community when world-renowned sailor Sir Chay Blyth endorsed the design for its ruggedness. The model also gained visibility through the voyages of individual cruisers who documented their travels in various nautical periodicals. In a classic review by Yachting Monthly, the vessel was praised for its "bulletproof" construction and its ability to handle conditions that would send lighter boats scurrying for harbor. This reputation has maintained the boat's status as a "cult classic" among those who value safety over contemporary styling.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of a Golden Hind 31 Mk II should focus their inspection on the specific challenges of 1970s and 80s GRP construction and the unique triple-keel arrangement:

1. Chainplate Leakage: The chainplates are bolted through the hull/deck joint. Over time, the sealant can fail, leading to moisture ingress that can rot the wooden bulkheads they are attached to.
2. Keel Attachment Points: On triple-keel versions, the stresses of repeated groundings can cause stress crazing or structural weakening around the bilge keel stubs. Inspect these areas internally for signs of movement or weeping.
3. Osmosis: While Terry Erskine Yachts used high-quality resins, any GRP hull of this age is susceptible to osmotic blistering. A moisture meter reading is essential during a survey.
4. Engine Access: The engine is tucked deep under the cockpit sole. While this keeps weight low and central, it makes routine maintenance of the raw water pump and stern gland difficult on certain hull variants.
5. Deck Core Integrity: While many Mk IIs have solid GRP decks, some were constructed with a balsa or foam core. "Soft spots" around stanchion bases or windlasses often indicate core delamination.

Community & Resources

The primary hub for owners and historians is the Golden Hind Association, an active group that maintains technical archives and a registry of hull numbers. They provide invaluable support for sourcing replacement parts or advice on structural repairs. Technical discussions and historical context regarding Maurice Griffiths' designs can also be found through the Eventide Owners Group, which, while focused on a different model, shares much of the same design lineage and construction philosophy.

The Verdict

The Golden Hind 31 Mk II is not a boat for those in a hurry. It is a stout, dependable, and sea-kindly cruiser that offers a level of security rarely found in modern production yachts. It remains one of the most affordable ways to acquire a proven blue-water vessel capable of crossing oceans or exploring shallow estuaries with equal aplomb.

Pros:

• Exceptional stability and heavy-weather performance.
• Shallow draft and triple-keel design allow for drying out and access to secluded anchorages.
• Substantial interior headroom and storage for its length.
• Strong, over-built GRP hull.

Cons:

• Slow in light winds and limited upwind pointing ability.
• Heavy displacement makes it less nimble in tight marina maneuvering.
• Traditional interior can feel dark compared to modern, window-heavy designs.