Versatile model from a Swedish shipyard is equally capable of handling demanding sea conditions and providing comfortable enjoyment on the water
Founded in 2001 by Swedish boating visionary Benny Martinsson, Paragon Yachts was born from a passion for crafting robust and versatile vessels. Today, as part of the esteemed Nimbus Group, Paragon continues to uphold its commitment to excellence, alongside renowned brands like Nimbus and Aquador. While less familiar in Croatia, Paragon has become a staple on Swedish waters and is rapidly gaining traction throughout Europe, solidifying its reputation for top-tier quality and performance.
In late June, under the sunny skies of Split, we had the chance to test-drive the Paragon 31 Cabin, the shipyard’s current flagship model. Its robust design and capabilities are immediately apparent, making it suitable for even the most demanding maritime operations. It’s no surprise that a professional version of this boat, tailored for maritime authorities and rescue services, is also available.
The hull, gradually rising from stern to bow, is sheathed in durable black rubber, giving it a utilitarian appearance while providing additional fendering. A robust stainless steel railing runs the length of the vessel, its openings secured by a stainless steel chain. The striking superstructure, featuring a large, curved windshield, completes the rugged look. This boat is clearly designed to handle any maritime condition.
The spacious aft platform is an integral part of the hull and, like the rest of it, is surrounded by thick protective rubber, and in the floor of it there is a storage room, while on the right side of the hull there are robust steps for entering the sea, which are made of one rounded piece of stainless steel.
The stern area, separated from the platform only by a railing, is left completely open with just two side storage compartments. These can be used to store cushions and support folding tables, creating an outdoor dining area. This design provides excellent access to the engines through two floor hatches, and there is an additional storage compartment under the deck just before the entrance to the cabin.
Side decks are comfortably wide for a boat of this size, and the bow offers space for a two-person bench seat and a spacious bow locker for anchor chain and fenders. The bow walkway is of a decent width and features convenient, raised handrails, which are useful when boarding from a higher shore. The anchor is neatly stowed partially in a bow roller, eliminating the need for complex mechanisms.
The cabin features three entrances: two side entrances with sliding doors adjacent to the helm station, and a stern entrance with sliding tinted glass doors. On the starboard side, next to the stern entrance and under a waterproof awning, we found an almost entirely external helm station equipped with a small steering wheel, throttle controls, bow thruster controls, and an easy docking system joystick.
It’s a bit unusual to see these external controls, which we usually find on large yachts and are used for docking, on such a small boat, but they proved to be very useful later in the test.
The interior of the cockpit is classic, as one would expect from a comparable cabin cruiser. It features an L-shaped dining bench with a small, adjustable table whose surface can be folded for easier movement. The galley includes an induction cooktop, a sink, and a fridge beneath the cooktop and another under the bench opposite the table.
Inside, there are three comfortable deep seats with a forward view, in addition to the skipper’s seat. A central passageway separates them, leading to the cabin entrance. An unusual feature is that the floor slopes downward from the stern entrance towards the helm station, creating a two-step difference in levels.
Despite this, the seating position is quite high, providing excellent visibility through the large windows on the superstructure. If you need even better visibility from the skipper’s seat, there are side passageways with sliding doors that allow for immediate inspection of the sides or quick exit.
The helm station is very simple and clear. The upper part features a multifunctional plotter display flanked by throttle controls, an easy-docking joystick, and a row of switches. The lower part is reserved for the Volvo Penta display, which shows all engine data, additional switches, and, of course, the leather-wrapped sports steering wheel. The only controls outside the helm station are the zipwake flap control panel on the ceiling above the helm station and the VHF radio to the left of it.
The entrance to the cabin in the hull is closed by a beautiful wooden door, and the same wood is used for the interior decoration of the cabin, which has a standing height throughout its surface. Immediately upon entering the cabin on the right side, there is a single bed and a low cabinet in which a sink and a refrigerator can be installed, and in the very bow there is a spacious double berth above which there are spacious shelves.
The quality of the interior is at the highest level, with the use of materials we are accustomed to from other Swedish manufacturers. The bathroom is compact, with standing height throughout, and comes with a sink and electric toilet, and its entire interior surface is waterproof so you can shower in it.
For those who want to use the Paragon 31 Cabin professionally in extreme conditions, there is also an interior version with four or six special air-cushioned seats designed for breaking through high waves, where the wooden floors in the saloon are replaced with heavy-duty rubber, and there is also a version of the boat with a small flybridge, which loses the stern entrance, but underneath there is a small cabin with two berths while the kitchen is moved to the front cabin.
While the maritime capabilities of this vessel are its most attractive feature, our sea trial in the Split waters was unfortunately conducted on a day with a glassy sea. Nevertheless, what we observed during the test convinced us of the boat’s safety and, above all, the pleasure of sailing this model.
The Paragon 31 Cabin demonstrated exceptional stability and effortlessly cut through the small waves we managed to create, without any noticeable vibrations or unusual sounds.
In turns, it doesn’t lean more than about 40 degrees without losing too much speed, and it’s noticeable that in all driving modes, with the use of automatic flaps, the bow doesn’t rise high above the horizon.
Acceleration is good and pleasant for this type of boat, especially considering that the tested model was equipped with two Volvo Penta D4-320A-G diesel engines, each with 320 horsepower, and a stern drive transmission. If two engines are too much, versions with a single, larger Volvo Penta D6 engine, with 400 or 440 horsepower, are also available.
The maximum speed we achieved in calm waters, with fuel tanks at 70% capacity and three people on board, was 39 knots at 3500 RPM, consuming 125 liters per hour. The optimal cruising speed proved to be 26 knots at 2700 RPM, with a fuel consumption of 65 liters per hour. If these speeds are too high for your needs, a comfortable cruising speed of 20 knots can be achieved at 2300 RPM, with a fuel consumption of 49 liters per hour.
The docking mode was perfect for navigating the tight spaces of Split’s ACI marina. The skyhook feature, which maintains the boat’s position, is ideal for single-handed or short-handed docking.
The Paragon 31 Cabin is a rugged patrol boat suitable for a variety of maritime tasks. Professionals can use it as a rescue vessel, while private owners can enjoy its Swedish-built quality.
Text Mlađan Marušić
Photos Nautika Centar Nava
