UFO 31 design specs

Phideaux

Phideaux

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I don't know if anyone can help with .PDFs for design details or other information on the UFO 31? I've searched these forums and Google about the make/model (not very flattering, I must say) but there might be a cheap project boat available and before I spend time going to view I'd like to understand the structural layout and rigging/sail plan to see if she's a potential 'learner'.
 
You're going to laugh about this. You can buy a boat test from YBW.com Here

Further down the page is an article to buy about building a UFO 27 from a kit. I think many UFO 31s were home finished. Perhaps there may be info along those lines to be found.

There is also a bit of info about them from this forum in 2005
What is there may persuade you that it wouldn't be a good learner.
 
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Lakesailor said:
There is also a bit of info about them from this forum in 2005
What is there may persuade you that it wouldn't be a good learner.
Click to expand...

By 'learner' I mean something that I can afford to take apart, modify and re-assemble as a learning process, making mistakes along the way, without loosing a fortune before trying the same thing out on a boat I'd really care about.

PS. being a skinflint I was hoping that someone might have something similar available for free ;)
 
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I have posted a copy of my catalogue on the UFO 31 on here before, somewhere, but I cannot find it now.... so here it is again.

UFO31P1.jpg


UFO31P2.jpg


UFO31P3.jpg


UFO31P4.jpg


UFO31P5.jpg
 
Ah.
Could be a lot of time and money invested on a ex-racing boat to get it back in fettle.
There is one not half a mile from me that has deteriotated over the past 5 years to a floating hulk sort of condition. Been aground (blown off mooring) quite a few times.

UFO31.jpg
 
Lakesailor said:
Ah. Could be a lot of time and money invested on a ex-racing boat to get it back in fettle.
Click to expand...
Many thanks for the information. My own time I can afford. The cost of things like deck fittings, running rigging, sails and navionics come at the end, once I've learnt on the hull/decks; so if I make mistakes, things go irreparably wrong and it turns out to be scrap, then I won't incur the final costs of getting her sailworthy.
 
A guy I know in Plymouth has a 31 that he lives on... a really nice boat that looks prime and sails like a witch.

He sails it one up all the time... a much better bet shorthanded than the 34 IMO...
 
Bizarely she is still floating nicely today (top picture), with very minimal help from the human race.
The warden reckons she holds the record for miles travelled on the lake without any crew.
 
A colleague of mine has one which was damaged in a hurricane that hit the Western Isles a few years ago. We spent a couple of years doing here up. Got the fibreglass work done by a professional outfit, the rest ourselves. Everything came off and was refitted/replaced, even installing new toe rail and entirely new electrics. You'll certainly learn alot more expletives if you take the windows out. Hull and decks shouldn't need too much work other than cosmetic - you're a braver man than me if you intend to do anymore than minor repairs to fibreglass.

Built like a brick out house. I certainly learnt a lot from her. You can get a lot of boat for your money with one of these and fettling can be largely done by someone with basic DIY skills and lots of time.

But if you are on a tight budget and want a boat to learn boat repair from, why a UFO31 and not something in the 18 - 20 foot bracket? You could learn a lot more from a £750 wreck.
 
Have you tried contacting David Cooper, late of Holman & Pye?
He is retired now I think, but last time I contacted him he was very helpful.
I bought a copy of the UFO 31 sail plan from him which I could print and send you, but check copyright first.
I have had this drawing scanned to PDF but the quality is poor.
Don't believe all the negative comments you've heard on the forums, these are great boats if you enjoy sailing, may not be so luxurious compared to modern boxes though.
 
DanTribe said:
Have you tried contacting David Cooper, late of Holman & Pye?
He is retired now I think, but last time I contacted him he was very helpful.
I bought a copy of the UFO 31 sail plan from him which I could print and send you, but check copyright first.
I have had this drawing scanned to PDF but the quality is poor.
Don't believe all the negative comments you've heard on the forums, these are great boats if you enjoy sailing, may not be so luxurious compared to modern boxes though.
Click to expand...

like most IOR boats be careful with the spinnaker in a blow :D
 
I love the UFO 31 above decks. We'd have bought one before the Centurion if only the bunks had been a little larger.

It saddens me to see one so neglected.

OP, please don't f*@# one up; but if you can make one young and beautiful again, more power to your elbow!
 
Judders said:
It saddens me to see one so neglected.

OP, please don't f*@# one up; but if you can make one young and beautiful again, more power to your elbow!
Click to expand...

And oh how that one was neglected.

See here before before, and not quite after pics of the interior. I bought her as a complete wreck. She'd been filled with water for presumably years, and all the woodwork below decks was completely rotten. Had to rip it all out and start again.

http://onkudu.com/life-on-water/a-late-arrival/

Hoping to get another large portion done over Easter. This one will come back from the grave, for sure.
 
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