Design and Construction
The Tempest 31 was constructed by Westerly Yachts, a UK-based boat-building company, with production beginning in 1987 at their facilities in Waterlooville, England. The hull is made of fibreglass, and the underwater profile features a fin keel and a spade rudder, though a bilge keel option was also offered. The bilge keel version had twin well-angled and efficient keels with bulbs at the base to keep the center of gravity low, as well as slightly more keel weight than the fin keel versions. Ed Dubois’s design gave the boat broader aft sections than the existing 32 ft Fulmar design, making it a more cruising-friendly alternative, and the Tempest also had higher quality joinery than the earlier Fulmars. With a displacement of 9,019 lbs and a Displacement/Length Ratio of 274, the design places the boat firmly within the moderate displacement category, a classification some sources categorize as a heavy cruiser.
Performance Under Sail
The Tempest 31’s performance numbers paint a picture of a steady coastal cruiser rather than a racer. With a Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 14.8, the boat is somewhat underpowered compared to high-performance boats but should still offer adequate sail power for recreational cruising. Its Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 29.8 indicates moderate stability, though one analysis notes this ratio is higher than only 5% of all similar sailboat designs, suggesting a very low ability to resist heeling. The theoretical maximum hull speed is 6.6 knots. The Capsize Screening Formula score of 2.1 rounds off its profile as mostly suitable for coastal cruising, a point reinforced by the observation that this value would not be accepted for participation in ocean races. However, the draft of about 1.52 to 1.62 meters means the boat can enter most marinas with ease.
Accommodations and Layout
Where the Tempest 31 truly shines is in its interior volume, as it is more spacious than 79% of all other similar sailboat designs. The original layout could sleep up to six people in three separate cabins, featuring two spacious double aft cabins under the cockpit and one V-berth forward cabin with access to the sail locker. At the end of 1988, Westerly offered a choice of layouts, with an alternative design featuring a single larger aft cabin, aft heads, and a conventional vee-berth forecabin. This option, called the 'Classic Option', provided a much larger cockpit locker, though most boats sold were the 'Original' twin aft cabin version. The Comfort Ratio of 22.2 falls into the range associated with coastal cruisers, implying the boat should provide a reasonable degree of motion comfort in typical sailing conditions, though it is more comfortable than only 42% of all similar sailboat designs.
Evolution and Known Legacy
The Tempest 31 is part of Westerly's extensive line of family cruisers, but its production run was relatively brief. In a final chapter, the hull design, interior, and rig were reworked and renamed the Regatta 310. This model nominally remained in production until 1997, though in those six years only five were built, making the original Tempest the definitive version of this Dubois design. The Fulmar, its predecessor, continued in production in parallel with the Tempest, offering buyers a choice between the older, narrower design and the newer, beamier cruiser.
The Verdict
The Westerly Tempest 31 is a characterful British cruiser that successfully prioritizes interior space without completely sacrificing sailing performance. Designed by Ed Dubois and built by Westerly Yachts, it offers a rare combination of a manageable overall length with genuine three-cabin privacy. While its moderate ballast ratio and capsize screening score firmly limit its ambitions to coastal work, it remains a clever and highly practical choice for a crew seeking comfort at anchor and easy marina maneuvering.
Pros
- Exceptionally spacious interior with a three-cabin layout that is more spacious than 79% of similar designs.
- Availability of a bilge keel option with efficient, bulb-ended keels for low center of gravity.
- Higher quality joinery than the earlier Fulmar design.
- Moderate draft allows the boat to enter most marinas with ease.
- Popular family cruiser with a practical 'Classic Option' layout offering a much larger cockpit locker.
Cons
- The Capsize Screening Formula score of 2.1 means it is mostly suitable for coastal cruising and would not be accepted for ocean races.
- A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 14.8 suggests the boat is somewhat underpowered compared to high-performance boats.
- A very low ballast ratio indicates a limited ability to resist heeling compared to many similar designs.
