Pacific Seacraft 31
Built 1987–? by Pacific Seacraft (Fullerton, California; later Washington, North Carolina)
About the Pacific Seacraft 31
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1987–?
- Builder
- Pacific Seacraft (Fullerton, California; later Washington, North Carolina)
- Designer
- William I. B. Crealock
- Length
- 30.5 ft
- Waterline
- 24.16 ft
- Beam
- 9.83 ft
- Draft
- 4.92 ft
- Displacement
- 11,000 lb
- Ballast
- 4,700 lb
- Hull / keel
- fin keel
- Rig
- cutter
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Water
- 65 gal
- Water heater
- AC + engine
- Number built
- 100
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- pedestal geared · Edson
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel unknown
“Fuel: 30 gals / 114 L (catalog value, from sailboatdata)” — spec database, boatsector.com · “Fuel Tank Capacity: 23 gal” — search excerpt (2004), lawsonyachts.com · “Fuel Tank Capacity: 23 gallon” — broker listing (2022), rubiconyachts.comTwo listings from different brokers (2004 and 2022 boats) both say 23 gal against the spec database's 30. No builder figure was found; the builder's model page gives no tank sizes.
-
Water 65 gal
“Water Tank Capacity: 65 gal” — search excerpt (2004), lawsonyachts.com · “Water Tank Capacity: 65 gallon” — broker listing (2022), rubiconyachts.comTwo listings agree with our earlier figure; no builder figure was found.
-
Holding unknown
“Holding Tank Capacity: 16 gal” — search excerpt (2004), lawsonyachts.com · “Holding Tank Capacity: 30 gallon” — broker listing (2022), rubiconyachts.comListings disagree (16 gal on a 2004 boat, 30 on a 2022 boat), possibly a change in the recent Washington, NC builds. No builder figure.
-
Water heater AC + engine
“Six gallon hot water heater from engine heat exchanger or shore power.” — broker listing, wcyachts.com · “Hot water – Seaward 6 gal new 2011” — broker listing, wcyachts.comA broker listing reproduces what it calls the factory Voyagemaker standard-equipment specifications, with a 6 gal heater on engine heat exchanger or shore power; that boat now has a replacement Seaward 6 gal. The original builder sheet wasn't found, and the builder's web page for the 31 gives no systems data.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
No builder list, review or listing was found that mentions a thruster on the Pacific Seacraft 31.
-
Stern thruster not fitted
Nothing was found either way; our earlier figure of none appears to be an assumption.
-
Steering pedestal geared · Edson
“The boat responded well to the 30-inch helm and Edson gear-steering system.” — review (c2015), practical-sailor.comThe only source is a Practical Sailor test of a late, re-introduced (2010s) Pacific Seacraft 31 with a 30-inch Edson wheel on a pedestal and an Edson geared steerer. Whether 1987-99 boats had the same gear, or a tiller, isn't documented in anything found; the builder's model page has no equipment list.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on fuel tank, holding tank — left blank rather than guessed.
Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder. Hull length (LOD) 30.5 ft; 31.83 ft overall (sailboatdata lists both). Retired in 1999 and re-introduced in 2002. Shoal (Scheel) keel 4.0 ft; sloop or cutter. Deck/chainplate issues are from Practical Sailor reviews of the sister 34/37 built with the same methods.
Engines fitted
-
Yanmar 3GM30F — 30 hp, diesel, single
standard
sailboatdata lists the original engine as a Yanmar 3GM30F; a 2004 hull (post-2002 reintroduction) is listed with a factory-year 3GM30F rated 30 hp, freshwater cooled.Sources: sailboatdata.com · sysyachtsales.com
Generator
The factory standard-equipment text reproduced in a listing has no generator; no other source mentions one.
Manuals and brochures online
- Spec sheet Pacific Seacraft 31 model page with specifications (no tankage listed) (2008) — pacificseacraft.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
-
Cored deck - check around hardware deck
Decks are cored (Practical Sailor describes end-grain balsa with plywood under hardware; a SpinSheet surveyor described plywood core), so moisture-meter the deck around stanchions and fittings.practical-sailor.com · spinsheet.com
-
External 304 stainless chainplates rigging
Chainplates are bolted outside the hull so they are easy to inspect, but they are type 304 stainless; inspect for crevice corrosion at the deck and bolt holes on older boats.practical-sailor.com
Engines & parts
Yanmar 3GM / 3GM30F parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Yanmar 3GM30F”
Very popular (used 3GM30Fs sell for $3,000+) and supported by a strong parts network. Cylinder head overhauls (valve seals, lapping, injector service) are a common, parts-supported repair.
Parts sources: Mack Boring & Parts (Yanmar distributor), HDI Marine (stainless exhaust elbows), Parts4Engines
Common problems (2)
-
Overheating at cruise rpm cooling
The 3GM30F has a known overheating tendency linked to its heat exchanger; owners also trace it to coked elbows, worn impellers, scaled heat exchangers or air in the raw water circuit. Some heat exchangers were replaced under warranty.forums.sailboatowners.com
-
Mixing elbow corrosion exhaust
OEM elbows corrode internally and should be inspected or replaced with stainless versions before they let water into the engine.practical-sailor.com · facebook.com
Maker’s service schedule (2)
| Fuel filters & water separator | 250 hrs | “The normal replacement interval for the element is 250 hours ... Filter cleaning First time 50 hours Filter element repl” — manufacturer, c320.org |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 250 hrs | “Washing period Every 250 hours” — manufacturer, c320.org |
Service part numbers (10)
| Oil filter | Yanmar 119305-35170 Replaces 119305-35151, 119660-35150 |
“3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 119305-35170 1 FILTER ASSY, D68XL65” — dealer, oldportmarine.com · “Maintenance kit Yanmar 2GMF, 2GM20F, 3GMF, 3GM30F ... Yanmar 119305-35170 Oil Filter” — dealer, marinedustrie.com |
| Fuel filter | Yanmar 104500-55710 | “Fuel Filter Element 1 104500-55710 / Fuel Filter O-Ring 1 24341-000440” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 104500-55710 1 ELEMENT, FUEL FILTER” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller Japan-built 3GM / 3GM30(F) (serial not starting with E) |
Yanmar 124223-42092 | “Impeller 1 124223-42092 / Impeller Gasket 1 124223-42110” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 124223-42092 1 IMPELLER, PUMP” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Raw-water impeller European-built GM-YEU (serial starting with E) |
Yanmar 128990-42570 Replaces 128990-42200 |
“(Supersedes part number: 128990-42200) ... 3GM30-YEU, 3GM30C-YEU 3GM30F-YEU, 3GM30FC-YEU” — dealer, palmerpower.com · “It fits Yanmar 2GM20F, 2YM15, 3GM30F, 3GM30FC, 3TN30F, 3YM20, 3YM30, 3YM30AE engines. Cross Reference: 128990-42200” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Drive belt | Yanmar 25132-003700 | “Alternator Belt 1 25132-003700” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 25132-003700 1 V-BELT, A37” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Drive belt | Yanmar 104511-78780 | “S/W Pump Belt 1 104511-78780” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 104511-78780 1 V-BELT, M/19” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Air filter | Yanmar 128270-12540 | “Air Filter Element 1 128270-12540” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “3GM30F Basic Service Kit ... 128270-12540 1 ELEMENT, AIR CLEANER” — dealer, oldportmarine.com |
| Zinc / anode raw-water 3GM / 3GM30; also sold for the F (heat-exchanger) versions |
Yanmar 27210-200300 | “27210-200300 Yanmar Engine Zinc Anode For 2GM(D), 3GM(D), 2GM20, 3GM30” — dealer, zincsforboats.com · “It fits Yanmar 2GM, 2GM20F, 2GM15, 2GM20, 3GM30F, 3GMF, 3HMF, 3GM30H engines.” — dealer, deltadieselparts.com |
| Thermostat 3GM30F / 3GMF (fresh-water cooled) |
Yanmar 121750-49800 | “Thermostat 1 121750-49800 / Thermostat Gasket 1 129350-49541” — dealer, ellebogen.com · “Thermostat for Yanmar 2GMF, 3GMF, 3HMF, 2GM20F, 3GM30F, 3HM35F / REC121750-49800” — dealer, marineparts.eu |
| Thermostat 3GM / 3GM30 (raw-water cooled) |
Yanmar 105582-49200 | “Replaces Yanmar Marine 105582-49200 ... 1GM, 2GM, 3GM, 1GM10, 2GM20, 3GM30” — dealer, repowermarine.com · “1GM10, 2GM20 & 3GM30 Thermostat to fit raw water cooled engine versions ... equivalent to 105582-49200” — dealer, parts4engines.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Steering
Edson — Pedestal chain-and-wire steering parts: good
Edson (New Bedford, MA) still sells service parts: chain-and-wire kits, sprockets, idlers, pull-pull conduit steering and internal pedestal parts, and keeps steering data sheets by boat model, many decades old.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (service parts)
Common problems (3)
-
Old or slack steering wire steering
Edson advises replacing steering wire about every five years, checking tension with the wheel locked, and inspecting under load annually; owners often find decades-old stiff wire.usna.edu · youtube.com
-
Lubrication and fastener checks steering
Chain, wire, sheaves and pedestal bearings need regular oiling or greasing, and clevis/cotter pins and bolts should be checked monthly to avoid failures.usna.edu
-
Replacing engine control cables in the pedestal steering
Swapping throttle/shift cables inside an Edson pedestal is a common owner job requiring removal of the wheel shaft sprocket pin.forums.sailboatowners.com
Edson — Traditional geared steerers (worm / rack-and-pinion) parts: good
Edson says its traditional wheels and geared steerers are still available, now built with modern materials; rack-and-pinion steerers are offered for transom-hung and inboard rudders.
Parts sources: Edson Marine (traditional steerers)
Model sources (7)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · sysyachtsales.com · boatsector.com · rubiconyachts.com · wcyachts.com · practical-sailor.com
Own a Pacific Seacraft 31? Add her to your boats, then share a photo — names, numbers and faces are blurred before it appears.
Other Pacific Seacraft models
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.