Oswald Berkemeyer designed the boat in the late 1970s, following his earlier Flamenca 25. The Miura shares some DNA with that smaller predecessor and was drawn specifically for glassfibre production. Production began in 1978, and more than 250 boats were completed, most of them by Nebe in Hout Bay. For many years, it was South Africa’s most popular keelboat.
Design and Construction
Berkemeyer gave the Miura a swept fin keel, a skeg-hung rudder operated by tiller, and a single-spreader mast that sits relatively low for a boat of this size. Its most distinctive feature is the pronounced tumblehome at the beam. The curved topside gives the hull loads of strength while creating surprising cabin room below.
The swept-up canoe stern involves a deliberate trade-off. It makes the boat completely unable to plane and limits its downwind speed, but the same hull form reads as that of a very good sea boat.
The hull has a 10-foot beam and a 28-foot waterline, with displacement of roughly 10,700 pounds. By modern standards, that gives the Miura moderate displacement. Its displacement-length number is 218, while its capsize screening figure of 1.8 is rated good.
Rig and Handling
The Miura’s sail plan is genoa-driven, with most of its power coming from a large genoa and a smallish mainsail. The relatively low rig suits the boat’s character. Its sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 14.8 marks it as a bit under canvased.
On the wind and in fresh to strong conditions, the Miura performs amazingly well. In light airs, however, it’s a bit sluggish.
Bertie Reed demonstrated the platform’s potential by campaigning several Miuras in local offshore races with surprising results. Sailing one, he also held the Cape Town to St Helena and back record for many years. The class still often races as a class, while boats such as Savannah are campaigned short- or single-handed in any conditions.
Performance and Offshore Record
Beyond local racing, the Miura has built a serious offshore record. Three boats in Hout Bay Marina alone account for three circumnavigations between them, and the class is a strong contender in the argument over which yacht type has completed the most circumnavigations.
In handicap terms, RCYC club data shows Miuras sailing off 0.935, compared with 0.91 for an RCOD. The Miura outperforms the RCOD by a small margin, despite carrying twice the weight and offering far more room.
SA Yacht Blog described the Miura as an incredible all-rounder in seaworthiness, seakindliness, general performance, and cruising ability—a beautiful, inexpensive, simple, rugged small yacht capable of sailing anywhere.
Accommodation
The tumblehome that stiffens the hull also pays dividends below. That curved shape gives the Miura plenty of cabin room for a 31-footer.
This was clearly intended as a practical cruiser and training boat rather than a stripped-out racer. Miuras became the keelboat of choice for sailing schools, first-time keelboat owners, and budget-minded Cape to Rio aspirants. That role calls for a usable interior and forgiving nature rather than spartan accommodation.
Ownership and Legacy
The class remains quite active today.
The name comes from the Spanish for “fighting bull,” a fitting label for a rugged, inexpensive cruiser that has repeatedly proved itself on long passages and club racecourses alike.
The Verdict
The Miura 31 is a genuinely capable small cruiser-racer with a passage-making record that belies its length. Its tumblehome hull is both strong and roomy, its keel-and-skeg configuration has proved itself at sea, and its genoa-driven rig works well when the wind is up.
The trade-offs are clear. The Miura is sluggish in light air, while its canoe stern prevents planing and limits downwind speed. In return, it offers seaworthiness, seakindliness, practical accommodation, and a notable offshore pedigree.
Pros
- Pronounced tumblehome provides both hull strength and generous cabin room
- Excellent upwind performance and strong ability in fresh to strong winds
- Very good sea-boat demeanor
- Outstanding offshore pedigree, including multiple circumnavigations and a long-held passage record
- Moderate displacement and a good capsize screening figure for a 31-foot cruiser
Cons
- Sluggish in light airs
- A bit under canvased according to its sail-area-to-displacement ratio
- Swept canoe stern prevents planing and limits downwind speed
