Boat test
paragon 31

We like
Open-plan cabins but the
saloon in between means
privacy isn’t an issue.
The super-tough
go anywhere in any
conditions hull and
the sheer usability of
this boat.
We don’t like
You can get a
reasonably well
specified 40ft
sportscruiser for the
same money.
Galley isn’t enormous but
will suffice for short stints
of living on board.
Not as luxurious as some the space and comfort of
but there is good storage the aft cabin mean longer
and generous headroom. cruises are comfortable.
accommodation
There is some turbo lag below 2200rpm but once that turbo photo boat i found that the bow was digging in quite hard on
bites the boat launches itself forward and really gets in to landing, sending plumes of spray over the raised helm. That
on board is its stride, maintaining a composed and laughably relaxed
was with the trim set to +2. Trim it up to +4 to get the bow
surprisingly
35 knot cruising speed. it’s so capable at this speed that a touch higher and not a lick of spray finds its way on board.
throttling back to 25 knots feels painfully slow. Flat out we Thankfully the hull’s natural running angle and side-to-side
generous with a
recorded 36 knots which, to be honest, is a little less than balance is spot on allowing you a full range of adjustment on
we’d expected. The hull is so good that you’d like it to reach both the outdrive leg and trim tabs.
double-vee berth,
nearer 40. however the test boat was slightly over-propped Sitting up on the raised helm position, with the majority
and the aft cabin
meaning it was around 100rpm below full revs flat out. of the boat stretching out in front of you, it feels a bit
What it may lack in outright speed though, the 31 more like you’re driving a go-kart. The boat leans into turns as
boasting a large
than makes up for with its astonishing ride and handling. naturally as a motorbike, and it was all i could do stop myself
You’ve got more chance of making a stone bleed than you putting my knee down in an effort to stop the guardrails
double and an
have of getting a slam from the hull. Waves are sliced through dipping in the water. As our photographer put it, the boat
extra single berth
nonchalantly and if you do hit a rogue one, the landing is can perform “alarmingly tight turns but not in a scary way”
always controlled and comfortable. thanks to the seemingly limitless grip the hull seems to retain
There was a reasonable chop in the needles Channel on the water.
when we tested the boat and the hull didn’t shudder once. it inspires such confidence in both its and your abilities,
That said, trimming the boat correctly makes a profound that it feels like you could take on any sea without fear of
difference to the ride quality. Launching off the wake of the reprisal. There are no slams, creaks or groans from anywhere,
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