CONTROVERSY 31
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 31 ft |
| LWL | 26.67 ft |
| Beam | 5.42 ft |
| Draft | 5.25 ft |
| Displacement | 7,000 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 34.75 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 10.75 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 31.13 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 14 ft |
| FLforestay | 10.8 ft |
| Mainsail | 422.1 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 186.8 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 317.5 sq ft |
About the CONTROVERSY 31
The Controversy 31 is a classic 1960 design by E. F. Butler, built by Mount Desert Yacht Yard with a production run of 1960. As a 31.0 ft LOA masthead sloop with a displacement of 7000.0 lb, it represents a specific era of American yacht building with a comfort ratio of 40.67.
- Best for:
- This boat suits coastal cruisers and traditionalists who appreciate classic lines and moderate performance, given its 164.73 D/L ratio and 17.76 SA/D ratio.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a low capsize ratio of 1.14 and a displacement of 7000.0 lb, the Controversy 31 offers reasonable offshore stability, though its single-year production and age require careful structural assessment for serious bluewater use.
- Comparables:
- Comparable to other 1960s American fin-keel sloops of similar length and displacement, such as the Pearson 30 or early O'Day models, due to shared era, builder location, and moderate displacement characteristics.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the CONTROVERSY 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 CONTROVERSY 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 CONTROVERSY 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 CONTROVERSY 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 CONTROVERSY 31
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…