Thompson 31 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Thompson 31, a masthead sloop designed by British naval architect Guy Thompson, emerged in the late 1960s as a robust answer to the burgeoning demand for capable coastal and offshore cruisers. Debuting around 1968, the vessel reflects Thompson’s signature philosophy of blending traditional "yachty" aesthetics with a hull form that prioritized stability and upwind efficiency. Built primarily in the United Kingdom, the Thompson 31 is often characterized by its distinctive "broken" sheer line and a fin keel paired with a rudder on a substantial skeg—a configuration that provides a balance between the maneuverability of a fin-keel racer and the tracking reliability of a full-keeled cruiser. The design was produced in several variations, most notably the "Long Cabin" version, which extended the coachroof to maximize internal volume, and the standard version which retained more expansive side decks.