The Newport 31 is a small recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a masthead sloop rig, an internally-mounted spade-type rudder and a fixed fin keel. It displaces 8,500 lb (3,856 kg) and carries 2,600 lb (1,179 kg) of ballast.[1][2][5]
The boat has a draft of 5.16 ft (1.57 m) with the standard keel, but an optional shoal draft keel was also available.[1][5]
The boat has a PHRF racing average handicap of 180 with a high of 180 and low of 180. It has a hull speed of 6.96 kn (12.89 km/h).[2][5]