Gozzard 31 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The Gozzard 31's layout philosophy is unconventional and worth understanding before you go aboard. The used market offers more than one interior arrangement, and the distinction matters: the layout documented in the original reviews moves the saloon forward and eliminates the traditional V-berth, creating a forward double stateroom that converts from paired settees and a lowered table — a genuinely usable sea berth by day, a private cabin by night. Aft to starboard sits a dedicated quarter cabin with its own double berth and standing headroom just inside the door. The head and galley occupy the middle of the boat. This arrangement suits a cruising couple ideally: two real berths, a generous galley, and a large saloon that serves both as living space and as the sleeping area when the forward cabin is in use.

On the used market, three-cabin layouts are the more common configuration, though both arrangements are available. Whichever layout you are evaluating, the distinctions between individual boats tend to be in finish choices (the yard favored American cherry joinery with white laminate overheads) and in how much gear the owners added over time rather than in any structural departure from the original arrangement.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Used Gozzard 31s are commonly fitted with an autopilot, bimini, dodger, chartplotter, swim platform, and solar panels. These items appear with enough regularity that a boat lacking several of them is relatively uncommon. The factory delivered the boat with a cutter rig, roller furling on both the headsail and staysail, and all running rigging led aft — so the boat is already well set up for shorthanded sailing straight from the mold.

Beyond the baseline, dinghy davits, a cockpit arch, pressurized hot water, and an inverter are often seen. Factory davits were a popular option from Gozzard itself, and many owners have kept them. Air conditioning units appear on a meaningful portion of boats that have spent time in warmer climates, and lithium battery banks are a frequent owner upgrade among boats that have had recent electrical refreshes.

A smaller but notable group of boats carry teak decks — either factory fitted or added by owners — and AIS transponders. A composting toilet in place of the original marine head has been a popular owner modification, as owners cruising offshore often find it the more practical long-term solution; replacing the marine head with a composting toilet was specifically noted as one of the most worthwhile improvements made by at least one long-term owner.

What to Inspect

Because only a small number of Gozzard 31s were built and each received significant personal attention, condition varies considerably from boat to boat. The most useful guidance on what to prioritize comes from Gozzard's own family: Mike Gozzard specifically advised looking for boats in as original a condition as possible, cautioning that boats that have been through multiple rounds of updating often suffer from having been "hacked up," and noting that a thinly equipped, lower-priced example is often the better value unless the gear is genuinely recent.

On the structural side, the news is largely positive. Chronic structural problems with the 31 are few; the quality of the original construction was excellent, with most issues being age-related rather than design-related. That said, the boats are old enough that the standing rigging deserves close scrutiny — changing the standing rigging is described as an expensive but necessary update on older examples, and the running rigging should be assessed with equal care. The chainplates are mounted on the outside of the hull where they can be visually inspected, which is a genuine advantage: look for weeping, staining, or disturbed sealant around the fastenings.

The hull-to-deck joint is sealed with 3M 5200 and stainless fasteners; probe the joint carefully under the caprail for any soft spots or separation. The foam-cored hull panels are generally sound, but pay attention to any areas of deck or hull that sound hollow or feel soft underfoot — these are the zones where water intrusion can begin. The keel-to-hull attachment and the external lead ballast are worth a professional surveyor's attention, as is the skeg and its connection to the hull. The rudder stock is beefy stainless steel with an upper bearing mounted above the waterline specifically to prevent leaking, and the lower bronze bearing is robust — but both bearings should be checked for play and wear.

The engine compartment is accessed by removing the companionway stairs and opening hinged panels in the quarter berth — adequate but not generous. Early boats carried slightly more ballast than subsequent models because Gozzard initially underestimated the stability gained by positioning the engine so low in the hull; this is not a defect, but it is worth knowing when comparing boats of different vintages. Fuel and water tanks, often aluminum, should be inspected for corrosion and integrity. The electrical system on older boats may be aging; a survey that includes a wiring inspection is worthwhile, particularly if the boat shows signs of piecemeal electronics installations over the years.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The Gozzard 31 is most commonly available through brokerages in the United States, with the Great Lakes, the East Coast, and Florida representing the principal hunting grounds. Given that only a small number were produced, examples come onto the market infrequently, and buyers who find one in strong condition typically move deliberately rather than assuming another will appear soon. A global search is worth conducting rather than limiting yourself to a single region.

Because the market is thin and resale values hold well — a reflection of the boat's build quality and reputation — the negotiating dynamic differs from a production boat with dozens of comparable listings. A professional survey from a surveyor experienced with quality fiberglass construction is essential, not optional.

Pre-purchase checklist:

• Standing and running rigging — inspect for age, fatigue, and corrosion; budget for full replacement if not recent
• Chainplates — inspect visually at the hull exterior for weeping or disturbed sealant
• Hull-to-deck joint — probe under the caprail for separation or softness
• Deck and hull coring — tap test for voids, especially around hardware penetrations and high-traffic areas
• Keel attachment and external lead ballast — surveyor inspection
• Rudder stock bearings — check for play, top and bottom
• Engine and engine mounts — hours, service history, shaft angle, and condition of stuffing box or shaft seal
• Fuel and water tanks — inspect for corrosion and integrity
• Electrical system — assess wiring age and quality of any retrofit installations
• Interior joinery and cabinetry — look for signs of leaks at portlights, hatches, and deck hardware