Boat Plans - Multichine 31

Sailboat with superior interior volume, high stability and seaworthiness.

The Multichine 31 breaks away from traditional parameters concerning beam/length ratios, having an impressive 3.54m maximum beam. The large beam provides this 31-foot cruising sailboat the equivalent amount of interior space normally found in 3~4 feet larger boats. The resulting design surpassed our expectations in appeal, comfort, and performance. The outcome was that, besides being the boat to beat in interior volume, it became recognized by their builders as one of the most stable and sea-worthy yachts of equivalent length to be found.

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Increasing maximum width, provided that the beam at the waterline isn’t enlarged proportionally, enhances the qualities of the design in most aspects, with negligible influence in the final cost, or in number of working hours of building labour. In practical terms, perhaps the only possible drawback being the requirement for a wider shed to provide enough space for the construction, and the possible increase in red tape for further transportation when the boat would be moved from the shed to the water.

Another positive point of the wider beam is the fact that, in the case of monohulls, marina’s fees are charged according to the boat’s length overall. What means you can have the same interior comfort and save on the marina fees.

Technical Data

Length Overall

9.45 m (31’ 0”)

Length Waterline

8.10 m (20’ 7”)

Beam

3.54 m (11’ 7”)

Draft

1.63 m (5’ 4”)

Ballast

1,450 kg (3,190 lb)

Displacement (light)

4,500 kg (9,900 lb)

Freshwater Tank Capacity

360 l (95 gl)

Fuel Tank Capacity

120 l (32 gl)

Standing Headroom

1.84 m (6’ 0”)

Sail Area

44 m2 (474 sq ft)

Auxiliary Propulsion

21 hp

Construction

Ply-glass

List of Plans

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MC31 – S0A – Full Size Stations A

MC31 – S0B – Full Size Stations B

MC31 – S0C – Full Size Stations C

MC31 – S0D – Full Size Stations D

MC31 – S0E – Full Size Stations E

MC31 – S0F – Full Size Stations F

MC31 – S1 – Lines Plan

MC31 – S2 – Mast and Sails

MC31 – S3 – Interior Layout

MC31 – S4 – Deck Layout

MC31 – S5 – Structural Plan

MC31 – S6A – Transverse Sections A

MC31 – S6B – Transverse Sections B

MC31 – S6C – Transverse Sections C

MC31 – S7A – Fin Keel

MC31 – S7B – Rudder

MC31 – S8 – Stem

MC31 – S9 – Custom Fittings

MC31 – S10 – Engine Installation

Interior layout:

The inside layout of this boat is unquestionably one of the largest ever to be found in yachts this size. The most prized feature of the interior arrangement is the fact that from the companionway forwards it is one ambient only, without partitions that would jeopardize the feeling of amplitude and airiness.

A bulkhead just in front of the engine compartment separates the main saloon from the aft cabin and heads, and from there up to the forepeak the cabin is almost unobstructed.

Abaft this bulkhead are placed the owner’s cabin to port and the heads at the other side. The heads, besides being provided with a profusion of lockers, is spacious enough to have a shower with standing headroom.

Symmetrically, the aft cabin is fitted with a double-berth and a walk-trough entrance hall with its private sofa. A door separating it from the saloon area enhances privacy and comfort when having a larger crew onboard.

Going forward there is an ample galley to portside with two sinks, refrigerator, and a gimballed stove with oven. At the opposite side is placed the navigation station with a wet-suit locker abaft the backrest of the navigator.  The navigation table is large enough to accommodate a nautical chart folded in half. Just in front of this area is placed a huge U-shaped dinette with plenty of room for seven persons to seat comfortably, or two adults to sleep when needed, one at each side. A curtain separates the main saloon from a second double berth placed above the height of the dinette’s front seat. Under the forward bunk there is stowage space for larger items, like inflatable dinghy, sails, spare anchors, etc.

Deck layout:

The deck with its wedged cabin trunk and a well-protected cockpit area is “clean” and functional, offering a special feeling of safety to the crew. The traveller placed in front of the main hatch gives room for a dodger that can extend to the front part of the cockpit, a welcome feature when the going gets tougher. With inboard shroud chainplates installed and a wide side-passage to the foredeck, the Multichine 31 is an easy boat to be manoeuvred by a shorthanded crew. The original version of the design contemplates tiller steering. However, there is the option of wheel steering already detailed in the plans, since a considerable number of our clients prefer a wheel arrangement.

For offshore voyaging with the assistance of a vane gear or external autopilot, the cheapest solution available, tiller arrangement is simpler and more reliable, even though both systems can be adopted. Nevertheless, tiller is less intrusive in crew’s circulation around the cockpit area, besides being much cheaper to install. Another point worth mentioning related to crew’s free access to the cockpit is its transom scoop platform with swimming ladder hinged to it. This arrangement is super-comfortable when the boat is being intensively used, as when coming aboard with heavy stores, or when using diving gear. 

Standing rigging and sails:

The two spreaders fractional sloop rig specified for the MC31 is simple, efficient and strong, allowing easy manoeuvrability with plenty of safety margin. The overlapping moderate-sized foresail is a good compromise in performance and sail handling.

Stability and balance:

The MC31 is a boat of relatively shallow draught (1.63m). It’s very successful bulbous keel design acting together with its generous beam ensure a high degree of positive stability, enhanced by a high ballast ratio. Recognised by our builders as one of our “trademarks”, the MC31 rudder blade dimension is much above average in size, affording a good steering control even when sailing in steep running seas. The moderate foot dimension of the mainsail, together with a high aspect ratio of the sail plan, contribute for the good balance of the boat, especially when sailing close-hauled.

Building method:

If you want to build your own boat, perhaps the most important concern you may have is if you are going to overcome the various challenges you will have to face along the whole building process. Being aware of this we specified the MC31 to be built employing the most comprehensive of the building techniques, the plywood/epoxy building method. The polygonal cross section typical of multi-chine hull shape is also a welcome simplification when sheathing the hull. The process consists of applying 10mm thick plywood panels, glued with epoxy, over a transverse structure of bulkheads or semi-bulkheads, and then encapsulating the whole hull with fibreglass saturated with epoxy resin. Internally, two coats of epoxy should be applied on all exposed plywood panels to ensure a perfect waterproof seal of its whole interior surface. The deck is built in the same way, resulting in a watertight, light and strong mono-block structure that will last for ages, almost maintenance free.

The plywood/epoxy building method can be considered a break-through in amateur boatbuilding, since, according to our files, there are more sailboats built by this process when their owners complete the jobs successfully than by any other building method. The frames are built on the work bench, together with deck-beams, cockpit framing, and even the transversal furniture, forming very rigid rings on top of which the hull panels will be attached. An important part of the finishing job is already accomplished when the boat is turned over, saving precious time and enhancing the precision and quality of the work. The finished boat is immensely strong, placing the Multichine 31 among the most reliable and maintenance free cruising sailboats one can obtain.

Boat Plans

Study Plans

AUD$60

Construction Plans- Short Cabin

AUD$650

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SAILBOATS – CRUISING

Pop 20– 6.20 m (20.3 ft) costal sailing

Multichine 23 – 7.20 m (23.6 ft) costal sailing

Pop 25 – 7.54 m (24.7 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Pantanal 25 – 7.65 m (25.1 ft) costal sailing, lifting keel, trailerable

Pop Alu 28 – 8.50 m (27.9 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Multichine 26C – 8.74 m (28.7 ft) blue water cruising sailboat,

Samoa 28 – 8.80 m (28.9 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Bora Bora 28 – 8.85 m (29.0 ft) coastal sailing catamaran

Multichine 28 – 9.20 m (30.2 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Multichine 31 – 9.45 m (31.0 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Pop Alu 32 – 9.88 m (32.4 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Multichine 36 – 10.30 m (33.8 ft) /11.16m (38.1 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Samoa 34 – 10.40 m (34.1 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Cabo Horn 35 – 10.80 m (35.4 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Kiribati 36 – 11.00 m (36.1 ft) blue water cruising sailboat, lifting keel

Samoa 36 – 11.00 m (36.1 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Multichine 37 SK – 11.16 m (36.6 ft) blue water cruising sailboat, lifting keel

Multichine 38 Sport – 11.60 m (38.1 ft) performance cruising, blue water sailboat, lifting keel

Explorer 39 – 12.00 m (39.4 ft) blue water cruising sailboat, lifting keel

Aventura 40 – 12.27 m (40.3 ft) blue water cruising sailboat, classic style (contact us)

Cabo Horn 40 – 12.27 m (40.3 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Multichine 41 – 12.48 m (40.9 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Multichine 41SK – 12.48 m (40.9 ft) blue water cruising sailboat, lifting keel

Polar 44 – 13.41 m (44.0 ft) blue water and high latitudes cruising sailboat

Polar 44 DS – 13.41 m (44.0 ft) blue water with, lifting keel, deck saloon

Multichine 45 – 13.70 m (44.9 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

Multichine 45SK – 13.70 m (44.9 ft) blue water cruising sailboat, lifting keel (contact us)

Polar 50 – 15.28 m (50.1 ft) blue water cruising sailboat, lifting keel (contact us)

Polar 65 – 20.00 m (65.6 ft) blue water and high latitudes cruising sailboat, lifting keel

Southern Cross 77 – 23.50 m (77.1 ft) blue water cruising sailboat

SAILBOATS – RACING

Micro 19 – 5.47 m (17.9 ft) performance sailing, lifting keel, trailerable

Green Flash 25 – 7.50 m (24.6 ft) sail racing (contact us)

Green Flash 33 – 9.90 m (32.5 ft) sail racing, ORC 33 class

POWERBOATS & TRAWLERS

Diamond 6.0 – 6.06 m (19.9 ft) sundecker powerboat, trailerable

Pilotina 25 – 7.60 m (24.9 ft) displacement trawler, costal

Southern Voyager 28 – 8.70 m (28.5 ft) displacement trawler, costal

Corruira 33 – 10.10 m (33.1 ft) displacement trawler, costal

Corruira 42 – 12.88 m (42.3 ft) displacement trawler, costal and blue water

PODAY SAILING, ROWING & DINGHIES

Caravela 1.7 – 1.70 m (5.6 ft) sailing dinghy, tender, free project

Little Nomad – 2.30 m (7.5 ft) sailing dinghy, tender

Caravela 2.5 – 2.55 m (8.4 ft) sailing dinghy, tender (contact us)

Andorinha – 4.71 m (15.5 ft) daysailer, pleasure sailing and racing, trailerable

Brasileirinho – 6.00 m (19.7 ft) ocean rowing boat

Pop Star 21 – 6.40 m (21.0 ft) daysailer, pleasure sailing and racing, lifting keel, trailerable