Design and Construction
The hull and deck are solid fiberglass, though the deck also uses a sandwich layup said to improve the interior climate. That construction can make the cabin more comfortable, but after four decades of ownership it may conceal delamination where fasteners or deck penetrations haven’t been properly sealed.
The iron fin keel carries 3,307 pounds of ballast against a displacement of 8,377 pounds, giving a ballast ratio of 39 percent. Draft ranges from 5.41 to 5.71 feet, depending on load.
With a 9-foot-6-inch beam, a length-to-beam ratio of 3.22, and a displacement-length ratio of 278, the Sunwind 31 falls into the “heavy cruisers” category. Its Motion Comfort Ratio of 24.8 suggests a settled ride in a seaway rather than a racing boat’s lively twitch. A capsize screening value of 1.87 places it within accepted offshore-participation limits by that formula alone.
The iron keel calls for vigilance against galvanic corrosion and stray-current attack, particularly where it meets dissimilar metals or is exposed to damp bilge conditions.
Rig, Performance, and Handling
The fractional sloop rig carries a 412-square-foot sail plan. Using the ISO 8666 reference sail, the sail-area-to-displacement ratio is 15.6; with a 135-percent genoa, it rises to 18.0. YachtDatabase notes that the boat carries more rig than 58 percent of similar sailboats, making it slightly overrigged for its size.
The wetted surface is about 269 square feet. An immersion rate near 788 pounds per inch means the boat sits heavily and changes trim slowly as stores are added.
Under power, the 18-horsepower Volvo Penta diesel pushes the Sunwind 31 to a recorded 7.0 knots, while its theoretical displacement-hull speed is 6.5 knots.
Accommodations
Below deck, the teak interior reflects Scandinavian cruising-boat practice of the period. The joinery uses the conventional material choice found in most contemporary production boats, giving the living space a warm, if unremarkable, finish.
Water capacity is 26 gallons, which provides a realistic coastal-cruising range rather than bluewater self-sufficiency.
Refit Considerations
Prospective owners should expect the period-correct Volvo Penta diesel to be near or beyond mid-life. Its 18-horsepower rating defines a modest replacement envelope.
The fractional rig’s standing and running rigging—including 10-millimeter halyards and 12-millimeter sheets throughout—offers a straightforward, low-spec refresh path. The teak interior will typically need oiling or refinishing rather than structural repair.
The Verdict
The Sunwind 31 is a sober, well-ballasted Scandinavian cruiser-racer hybrid that favors comfort and seaworthiness over speed. Its slightly overrigged fractional sloop rig can provide brisk sailing under genoa, while the heavy-displacement hull rewards relaxed coastal cruising. The sandwich deck improves livability, but this isn’t a lightweight performer, and its modest water capacity limits cruising range.
Pros
- Heavy 39-percent ballast ratio and a capsize screening value of 1.87 for offshore-flavored stability
- Sandwich deck improves cabin comfort
- Slightly overrigged fractional rig offers brisk sailing under genoa
Cons
- Displacement-length ratio of 278 limits outright speed
- Iron keel requires vigilance against corrosion
- Water capacity of only 26 gallons restricts passage length
