CARMEN 31
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 31 ft |
| LWL | 24.5 ft |
| Beam | 9.5 ft |
| Draft | 5 ft |
| Displacement | 8,700 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.6 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 37.1 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 12.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 32.1 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12.5 ft |
| FLforestay | 12.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 448.6 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 231.9 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 394.2 sq ft |
About the CARMEN 31
A boat of this design was winner of the 1966 Sidney-Hobart Race.
The Carmen 31 is a rare Australian-built cruising sloop designed by Ron Swanson and constructed by Swanson Brothers in 1961. With a build count of ? hulls, this vessel represents a unique piece of maritime history with a full/long keel and a displacement of 8700.0 lb.
- Best for:
- This boat suits traditionalists and coastal cruisers who value a stable, comfortable ride over high-speed performance, particularly those interested in maintaining a rare, single-year production model.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.85 and a high displacement-to-length ratio of 264.1, the Carmen 31 is well-suited for offshore passages, offering excellent stability and motion comfort in heavy weather.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other 1960s full-keel Australian designs like the Swanson 33 or early O'Day models, the Carmen 31 shares a similar emphasis on seaworthiness and traditional layout over modern planing capabilities.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CARMEN 31 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 31ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the CARMEN 31yet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a CARMEN 31? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your CARMEN 31?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Already know your engine? Search all engines → to find its exact parts.
Used sails that fit the CARMEN 31
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…