[4][5] The design was built at the BG Race shipyard in Saint-Malo, France for Archambault Boats of Dangé-Saint-Romain.

The hull has a plumb stem; an open, reverse transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a D-shaped tiller with an extension and a fixed swept fin keel.

The rudder is made from polyester and is mounted with stainless steel solid stock hardware on self aligning bearings.

[1][4][5][11][12] The boat is fitted with an inboard Nani 14 hp (10 kW) diesel engine for docking and manoeuvring.

The galley is L-shaped and is equipped with a two-burner propane-fired stove, a 10.6 U.S. gallons (40 L; 8.8 imp gal) icebox and a sink.

[5] In a 2009 review naval architect Robert H. Perry wrote, "the Archambault boats are quickly making a name for themselves as quality-built race winners in Europe.

With the large cockpit with a super-sized aft locker (plenty big enough for a lift raft, fenders, and lifejackets) and 1.82m (6 ft.) headroom below; the A31 rivals any other modern 31-footer in creature comforts.

The vacuum-infused, resin glass sandwiched hull, injection infusion structural liner and composite deck is built using an environmentally sound process while eliminating airborne toxins.