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Review of Valiant Yachts

The Valiant 40 is an iconic ocean going sailboat designed by Robert H. Perry in 1973. The Valiant 40 was inducted into the Sailboat Hall of Fame in 2015 for its incredible contribution to sailing. The Valiant Yachts company built the boats in Texas after purchasing the mold and design from Uniflight Inc. in 1984. Valiant sailboats were in continuous production for 35 years, making them one of the longest running boat building companies in America - which is quite amazing and yet it is easy to see why.

In 1973 when a very young Bob Perry designed the Valiant 40 he was way ahead of his time. Back then the ocean going sailboats were all super heavy, full keel, ketches and cutters, solid ocean cruisers. Only the intrepid sailors ventured across oceans with their sextants. Bob’s Valiant 40 design was a radical departure with its long “modified” fin keel drawing 6 feet, an equally deep full-skeg mounted rudder, and its relatively light displacement at 23,500 lbs. With moderate beam of 12’9” and waterline length of 34’ she is smallish in today’s standards. The Valiant did sport a buoyant rounded transom that harkens to the Nordic sailing vessels that crossed oceans long ago quite successfully. In the beginning the Valiant 40 was understood to be a fast “light” well constructed ocean capable sailboat and to be a bit racy. From 1973 to 1992 Valiant built 200 Valiant 40s. Notably the young adventurous single-hand ocean sailors of the 80s were attracted to the Valiant for good reason. More about that later…

By design, the Valiant provides safe and predictable sailing with a sleek hull shape for speed, some flare in the bow for a dry deck, that long cruising fin keel for stability, the skeg rudder for safety and maneuverability, and buoyant aft sections for load carrying capacity and ultimately an increased water line. That long fin keel and deep skeg rudder enable the Valiant to literally sail herself. She tracks straight and true easily steered by a wind vane steering system or autopilot, or one finger on the wheel. All the design elements combined give the Valiant speed, stability, comfort and security. These are not just words, these are principles of offshore sailing. The Valiant is a true cutter rig by design with the mast well aft which supports a divided sail plan. The mast placement and the rig provide a manageable sail plan, with so many options for just the right amount of sail in any condition and any point of sail. This makes sailing safe, easy and comfortable. Ideal for a cruising couple or single-hand sailor. And she also sails like mad especially with the wind on the quarter!

In 1983, Francis Stokes aboard his Valiant 40 Moonshine placed second in the first BOC around the world race under all five great capes. He even stopped to rescue another racer and drop him off in Sydney. Separately in 1983 Mark Schrader became the first American to complete his own nonstop round the world solo voyage on his Valiant 40 Resourceful. In the 1986 BOC ‘Round the World Race, Schrader sailed a Valiant 47 named LoneStar nonstop around the world to place second in his class! These accolades cemented the legend of the Valiant as a serious, capable offshore voyager that could be single-handed around the world or easily sailed by a couple. Valiant Yachts built and sold 200 Valiant 40s!

In 1992 Valiant Yachts introduced the Valiant 42 built from the same mold as the Valiant 40. The Valiant 42 is a slightly more modern boat with the deck retooled to eliminate the wood trim and add the coveted stainless steel masterpiece of a bow sprit which increased the sail area slightly. The mast height was increased a little and a little more ballast added, and the interior redesigned, but it’s the same hull and the same really great boat. There were 86 Valiant 42s built I believe including our Valiant 42 Mahalo #181 in 2008.

Sadly the Valiant Company stopped building new Valiant in 2011 as the costs of building one jumped to the mid 300’s. The factory still supports the community of Valiant owners. For 30 years of production in Texas the same skilled craftsman built the boats by hand taking great pride in creating a Texas style overbuilt robust sailing vessel. The Valiant is built to the demands of the ocean, not the demands of the market. Come visit us and we’ll show you what is meant by that.

For this brilliant design that has stood the test of time we have to thank our Robert H. Perry! He designed the first “performance cruiser” 45 years ago! The Valiant remains one of the most desired ocean sailing boats ever. Happily for us regular people, the prices of the Valiant 42 is now affordable and we have a couple for sale in Annapolis. The Valiant 40s are old and still amazingly capable if you find a nice one, and we just happen to have one in Annapolis. It is also good to know they built about 16 Valiant 50 and we have two available right now. So many sailing couples, and solo sailors choose Valiant for all the right reasons. Valiant people have voyaged far with their Valiant; they’ve often sailed around the world, and sometimes twice! Many more Valiant owners have sailed their Valiant on long passages, short-handed or solo. There is not a Valiant owner out there who is not totally in love with their boat, and why not; the Valiant is the tough and strong and easy to sail and maintain. She’s fun to sail, and the first time you get in rough conditions you fall in love and realize that your boat will take care of you. It’s a good feeling.

We owned a Valiant 40 for many years and when we became the Valiant Dealer Annapolis MD in 2008 we purchased our new 2008 Valiant 42 “Mahalo”. We now cruise in the Pacific NorthWest. We love and appreciate our Valiant. Since 2008, we’ve sold 60 Valiant's, mostly 42s and some 40s, 37s, 39, a number of 47s and quite a number of V50s! We almost always have a couple Valiant available in Annapolis in brokerage. If you want to learn more about Valiant Yachts please reach us at David Walters Yachts.

Bernie Jakits [email protected] 443-742-1792

Kate Christensen [email protected] 410-919-7521

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Cruising Yachts 35' to 40'

The Valiant 40 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Valiant 40 is a high-performance cruising sailboat that was first built in 1973 by Valiant Yachts, a company based in Texas, USA. Known for its robust construction and excellent offshore capabilities, the boat was designed by Robert Perry and has been recognized as one of the most influential designs in the sailing world. It features a cutter rig, a full keel, and a skeg-hung rudder, and it is often used for long-distance cruising due to its seaworthiness and comfort.

'New World', a Valiant 40 Bluewater Cruising Yacht

The Valiant 40, as its name suggests, is a valiant sailboat that offers sailors the freedom and adventure intrinsic to the open seas. Known for its robust construction and exceptional sailing capabilities, this premier ocean-going vessel has attracted attention worldwide.

Published Specification for the Valiant 40

Underwater Configuration: Fin keel and skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fiberglass)

Length Overall: 39'10" (10.90m)

Waterline Length: 34'0" (10.36m)

Beam: 12'4" (3.76m)

Draft: 6'0" (1.83m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 22,500lb (10,206kg)

Designer: Bob Perry

Builder: Uniflite Inc (USA) and Valiant Yachts (USA)

Year First Built: 1975

Year Last Built: 1992

Design Ratios: The Key Performance Indicators

When analyzing its overall design and utility, the Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/DR), Ballast/Displacement Ratio (BR), Displacement/Length Ratio (DLR), Comfort Ratio (CR), and Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of the Valiant 40 come into play.

The SA/DR of the Valiant 40 sits at a moderate 15.85. This indicates that it is designed for efficient sailing in a variety of wind conditions – both heavy and light – making it an ideal cruiser for those who want versatility in their voyages. However, in light winds - unless youve got plenty of time on your ahnds - motorsailing may be the way to go.
The boat's BR is 35.23%, demonstrating that it is heavily ballasted, providing stability in high winds and rough seas. This translates to a comfortable and safer ride, even in harsh weather conditions.
With a DLR of 314.94, the Valiant 40 is a heavyweight when it comes to displacement. This ratio means the boat has a high load-carrying capacity which can withstand a heavy load of supplies, equipment, or personal belongings.
The CR of the Valiant 40 is a cozy 44.45, placing it in the heavier side of cruisers. The elevated comfort ratio speaks to its smooth-riding nature – a nod to those who appreciate luxury in their adventures.
Lastly, the Valiant 40's CSF, which stands at 1.65, reflects its exceptional ability to prevent capsize. This safety aspect is crucial to any sailor who values both safety and performance.

But just what are these design ratios and how are they derived?

Rig Alternatives

Though the Valiant 40 is traditionally designed as a cutter rig, it can also be fitted as a sloop, providing owners the flexibility to choose their preferred sailing configuration.

Of the two, my choice would always be the cutter rig for cruising. OK, with a yankee on the forestay and a high cut staysail you lose out when sailing with the wind on the quarter - but at least you can see where you're heading. In my opinion, deck-sweeping genoas are best kept for racing.

Pros & Cons

It's worth noting that the boat does have its strengths and weaknesses. The Valiant 40 is often praised for its top-notch build quality, seakeeping abilities, and comfortable interiors – an acknowledgment by both yachting journalists and seasoned sailors.

With its fin-and-skeg underwater configuration, canoe stern and cutter rig this is a boat that will will respond well to a windvane self-steering gear .

However, like any boat, it isn't without its drawbacks. Some owners mention the possibility of blistering in early models due to fire-retardant resins used in their construction, a problem corrected in later models.

The Secondhand Market

The vessel's approximate price varies depending on the model year, condition, and included accessories. Used Valiant 40 sailboats generally range between $75,000 and $150,000 on the secondhand market, making them a considerable but worthy investment for the dedicated sailor.

As for availability, the Valiant 40 is a popular model and regularly appears on the used boat market. Their strong construction and reputation for reliability make them a wise purchase for the discerning sailor.

The Competition

When comparing the Valiant 40 to other vessels in its category, it holds its own impressively. Its capabilities can be compared to the Pacific Seacraft 37 , the Island Packet 38 , or the Caliber 40LRC , all top performers in extended blue-water cruising.

According to countless sailor testimonials and yachting reviews, the performance, handling, and comfort of the Valiant 40 are generally superior to its competitors. The combination of these factors provides an unbeatable sailing experience.

The technical specifications coupled with firsthand accounts fortify the Valiant 40's standing as a stellar choice in its class. It's a boat that combines sturdiness, reliability, and performance, accommodating for both the thrill of adventure and the solace of comfort. A true embodiment of the freedom and excitement intrinsic to ocean voyaging.

I wrote this article using GPT-4, OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model, as a research assistant to develop source material. I wrote the final draft in its entirety and believe it to be accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Dick McClary, creator and owner of sailboat-cruising.com

Other sailboats in the Valiant range include:

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Valiant 40 review: the original performance cruiser.

The Valiant 40 is known as the first performance cruiser. Valiant started when Bob Perry, Nathan Rotham, and the Dabneys met. The Dabneys were looking for a fast cruising design instead of the Westsail 32 genre. The Westsail 32 is a great cruiser but also a “wet slug” – slow in light airs. Perry was an up and coming designer, and Rotham an ambitious business kid. In 1972, they stumbled together at Jay Benford’s Ferrocement boatyard. Soon later, they were talking design. The Dabneys had an Islander 36, a fast sloop. Their dream boat was a cruiser with the performance of their Islander. Perry had been thinking along the same way for some time. Why do all cruising boats have to be slow? Dabney, Perry, and Rothman struck across a Scandanavian boat “Holga Dansk” in Soundings magazine. Perry started drawing the lines with the Dabneys input. By 1974, Perry was ready. The Dabneys wanted one built. And Rotham was looking for resin.

Rotham went on a trip to talk to all the local Seattle boat makers. No one was interested in selling resin. It was the oil embargo. Finally, Rotham stumbled into Uniflite. They had resin and would even build the Valiant 40. They were finally on their way. And quickly she was a hit. They launched her at the 1975 boat show in Seattle. “People said you are so cute. You’ll never make. Now we’re still around, and they’re gone,” notes Sylvia Dabney. By 1978, they sold fifty a year. In 1980, two Valiant owners, Sam Dick and Dane Nelson, bought Valiant. They had asked Rotham to build a pilothouse version. Because he would not, they said “well, we’ll make one ourselves.” So, they bought the company and made ten.

In 1984 the Uniflite went out of business due to the well known fire retardant resin issues. A class action lawsuit brought down the building. Texas Valiant dealer, Rich Worstell, moved production to his yard on Lake Texomas where it continues to today. He built 200 V-40’s until 1992. In 1992, they added a 2-foot bow sprite and offered the V-42. She has the same hull design and about 70 have been built on a semi-custom basis.

First Impressions She is the classic looking cruiser, a double-ender. Perry always liked canoe sterns he says. The buttocks lines extend well aft compared to less aesthetically pleasing sterns. Perry carried the buttocks as flat and far as he could and then tucked and rolled them abruptly upward into the sheer. She has serious tumblehome. The bow is based on Garden’s Bolero design, Perry says. It is a sharp entry that broad opens making for a very dry boat. The cabin trunk is a little uninspired “the shoebox on a banana look.” Her cockpit is all the way aft sunk into the canoe stern. While stylish, the real difference was the radical new lines below the water. They combined the classic Norwegian folkboat look with the best ideas in racing – a fin keel and skeg hung rudder. The keel and skeg are low aspect, the forefoot deep. The pilothouse evolution added large, fast looking windows. and not too high a cabin trunk. She has single spreader mast with two lower and one upper shrouds. A single back stay attaches aft. Valiant 40’s were built on a semi-custom basis so some have teak handrails while others stainless. There’s a cowl vent forward and two more on the trunkcabin amidships. The 42’s have a 2-foot bowsprit and more modern looks like aluminum toerails and stainless handrails.

Construction Valiants have external lead keels and solid, heavy fiberglass hulls. As one surveyor sought soft spots, a broker laughed, “Good luck. These things were built like tanks.” Clients sometimes explain their preferences saying, “I’m looking for heavy layup boats like the Valiant 40.” The Valiant 40 is almost a standard in itself of tough offshore quality construction. The frames, floors, and stringers are formidable. The deck is balsa cored with solid glass around the fixtures. The keel is external lead. The skeg is separate steel frame encased in fiberglass and fastened to the hull. And that reputation is despite probably the worst construction mistake made by any builder. Uniflite built her between 1975 and 1983. All the pilothouse versions are between 1980 and 1981. These 10 pilothouse versions are rare and prized but all unfortunately blister boats. Boats built between 1977 and 1981 have a fire retardant resin which badly blisters. As one owner says on repairing these boats, “Never ever do it.”

What To Look For Of all boats, Valiants from 1978-1981 are perhaps the only to be so badly blistering to be worthless. To blame was a fire-retardant resin and fiberglass sizing. Whatever the reasons, the Valiant name took a hit. Over the years in the early 1990’s, many owners decided to attempt to redo the hull of their beloved blister boat. Mark Lennox is a yard in Annapolis which did many. Another yard in Vero did a couple. But, they all will tell you, “It is a thing you should never do.” Buy another V-40. It is less expensive. The redoing process consists of undoing the hull until you can “see though it like a pane of glass.” Then, you let her sit for 9 months in the hot sun to dry out. Then, you relay up fiberglass and preferably, vinylester resin. Finish it off with a gel coat. The deck is the worst part. Along with redoing the hull, make sure the hull has also be relaid or that will continually blister.

Early V-40’s had the traveler aft of the cockpit. This arrangement tended to increase weather helm, and Valiant moved the traveler to in front of the cockpit. If you are looking at a mid 1970’s, this has probably been changed. Other 1970’s V-40’s have an inferior partially foam keel. The pilothouse versions are rare prize on the market. These came with optional inside hydraulic steering. Uniflite built all ten in 1980-1981, and all ten were blister boats. It is unknown how many are left. They have interesting single stateroom layouts without the common aft cabin. Instead the galley is aft while the saloon settee pulls out into a tremendous king sized berth. The 40/42’s come in shoal and deep versions. The shoal is 5’6″ while the deep is slightly over 6′.

On Deck V-42’s have a two foot bowsprit. Some late model 40’s have this as well. One such owner whispered, “Don’t tell anybody but this is really a 42. Then the marine will charge you for another two feet.” This bowsprit is the only real difference. Perry’s biggest regret is the mast location on the V-40’s. He says that the mast on the V-40’s is too far aft and creates excessive weather helm. On the pilothouse versions he had a change to fix this issue. “I’ve always felt that the pilothouse version is easier to balance than the original 40,” Perry says in his autobiographical book Design According To Perry . He moved the mast on these 2 feet forward essentially substituting a sloop rig for the cutter. The V-42 completed this change with her bowsprit.

These aft cockpit boats with a cockpit molded into the canoe stern. That makes for a roomy and dry cockpit aft that comfortably seats eight. The oversized rigging attaches to the outer sidedecks. This makes for a secure but tight walk forward. The genoa tracks go well aft and are easy to adjust although mounted along the deck and annoying to step on. There is not a single lazarette on deck. In the cockpit the combings open in four different sections for storage and engine access. Perry says he made an error on the pilot version, and this might be is “the most difficult-to-build cockpit in the history of fiberglass-production boats.” He did not take into account the need for locker hinges on the pilot to match the regular V-40’s locations for easy construction.

Down Below Valiant 40’s came in different interior layouts. One has an aft cabin design with a portside Pullman. The galley may be forward or aft the saloon. There can be two heads. On another version, the design has the galley aft an enlarged saloon and single head. The saloon steps down into the forward head and v-berth. According to Stan Dabney, “None of the pilothouse versions have the aft berth.” Instead the galley is aft with an enlarged raised saloon. These are one stateroom boats. Clients ask, “Well what do you if you have guests?” The settee does fold out into a king size berth. Perry’s original drawings show a starboardside captain’s berth and the head forward as a never produced layout for the pilothouses. Headroom in the V-40’s is not tremendous. Even in the pilothouse, it is only 6’3″ in the center tapering to 6’0″ at the sides. Forward with the step down, headroom goes up to 6’4″ in the master stateroom. If you are tall, V-40’s are not that comfortable.

Engine and Underway Some or all of the original engines were 50 HP Westerbekes. These had aluminum heads and according to a yard manager, “Are worthless now and were worthless when they came out.” Hopefully, a V-40 has a Yanmar. These are V-drives engines, and the access is disappointing. From down below, access is minimal from the starboardside and through the companionway. Access from the cockpit lockers is available. Perry mentions that the V-40’s bow is too broad. She is known to hobby horse. Always critical, Perry talks at length is his book about the problems of the V-40 design. He says the bow is were he went wrong and should have made finer although this would make her wetter. Another problem is the mast location being too far aft which creates unbalance. On later version, he corrected this fault while all have the same bow. “This flare and fullness in the bow makes the Valiant a fast-reaching boat when it heels and begins to immerse those meaty, high-volume forward sections.”

I was out recently on a seatrial of a pilothouse V40. We went out the Port Everglades cut with light winds steady at 6 knots. Upwind at a close reach of 60 degrees, we held 3 knots with a comfortable motion. “Oh yes, these boats will surprise you” another broker mentioned. She performed surprisingly well in light air, proving herself as the performance cruiser. Downwind we motorsailed at 6 knots with just the jib out. In heavy weather, the owner mentioned that, “I have been in rough weather with nigh but a handkerchief out on the jib and cruised along a 7 knots.” The waterline speed of a V40 is about 8 knots.

Conclusion The V-40 is one of the most influential designs of our time – the original performance cruiser. One of the best resources for Valiant information are the Dabneys, nowadays with their own yacht brokerage, Offshore Atlantic, in Hobe Sound, FL. They have always have a couple V40’s for sale which usually range from $80,000 to $140,000.

References http://www.boatus.com/jackhornor/sail/Valiant40.asp http://bluewaterboats.org/valiant-40/ http://www.yachtworld.com/offshoreatlantic/offshoreatlantic_2.html

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Sailboat Guide

Valiant 42 is a 41 ′ 11 ″ / 12.8 m monohull sailboat designed by Robert Perry and built by Valiant Yachts (USA) between 1992 and 2011.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
LOA: Length overall in feet
Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

From BlueWaterBoats.org :

The Valiant 42 is a 1992 evolution of Bob Perry’s groundbreaking Valiant 40 design by Valiant Yachts. The boat was sold as a low volume semi-custom long distance cruiser.

The original Valiant 40 hull remained unchanged while the deck mold was updated to offer more options to the interior layout. The original Valiant 40 layout with an offset companionway was complemented by a center entry options. Berths arrangements were updated into two flavors – a large queen berth in the forward peak or a pullman style double-berth offset to port.

After gathering feedback from the Valiant 40 owner community and two decades of sailing experience, the rig was updated sporting a two foot bowsprit to bring the center of pressure further forward. There were also some small tweaks to the keel.

The Valiant 42 ceased production in 2011 when Valiant Yachts closed its doors due to an economic downturn. For a full breakdown and history check out the Valiant 40 article.

Links, References and Further Reading

» Valiant Yachts, official site, Valiant 42 » Valiant Owners Yahoo Group, information, photos, records, and more

Shoal draft: 5.5'. Deck salon version, VALIANT 42RS, was also available at this time.

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08-06-2008, 17:09
	now but i was wondering what you all think about Valaint Sailboats. Particually the 42. If you have some info about the that is not posted on their cite (price...) i would love to know. If you have any on the please tell me.

08-06-2008, 17:26
	sailboats, meant for world cruising. The 42 is a slight modification of the original Valiant 40, which was voted the Cruising Boat of the Decade. They've competed in round-the-world races and many of them have circumnavigated. Very, very capable, roomy, and reasonably fast. For pricing and availability, suggest you contact a dealer for Valiant Yachts. The factory is now in Gordonville, . There are dealers on both coasts. Some excellent Valiants appear on the used market from time-to-time. Even the old 40's can be a good value, providing that you carefully avoid the "blister boat" series which began somewhere in the low hundreds and carried on through number 249. Any of the built in are fine in this regard. The only authoritative comment I've heard recently is that the can be pretty stubborn about user-requested modifications. Maybe that's why they only sell a few each year. Bill

08-06-2008, 17:32
	up and call them back. i got a call from a sales guy and a (they seem to want to sell a boat). Or are all sailboat companies like that.

18-10-2010, 21:56
	handed to ? Sounded good. Coral

18-10-2010, 23:17

Boat: Cal 20

handed to ? Sounded good.
Coral

01-11-2010, 17:30
Boat: Valiant, 40,"Miss Ellie"	flying. At 25 I start to reef. Roll up a little . At 30 knots you reef the main to 2nd reef( I have 3 reefs). At 35 knots I roll up the completely. At 40 knots I add 3rd reef in main. At 45 knots I ease the staysail and main but carry on to 50 knots. At 50 plus the main goes down. The staysail is your . above 55 and definitely at 60 the storm trisail alone. If the waves make sailing dangerous at anything above 40 knots, heaving to, works for me if I have the sea room. Every condition is variable. Maybe running with a staysail in 50 knots is still in control... Maybe not. Your the and you decide what is out of control or not depending on wave conditions and sea room. All I know is that a Valiant will take a heck of a lot more than I will. It is very seakindly. Many crew never get seasick on our Valiant but they will on other . It rides the waves beautifully. It is 14 tons empty and the ride is smooth. It is called a performance cruiser. The is a modified fin with a skeg hung . Not a so it points well. I am not telling you this to impress you with my sailing skills. I'm just telling you about what the boat like. There are much better, more experienced sailors, than I am. Every boat is a compromise. The Valiant 40 is solid gold as far as boats go but it doesn't have a stall (Traditional side entry version) or pedastall center queen size but it has great sea berths a great gallery, nav station and a ton of . Mine is a blister variety Number 203. I fixed and repainted and they came back. They will always return. They can't be fixed permanently, only temporarily. So spend the extra thousands and get a blister free one. It will save you and aggrevation in the long run. If "Miss Ellie" sunk tomorrow I'd look for another one. Only a blister free one next time. The difference in is not as expensive as fixing the . The are like a kid with acne. Won't kill him but look like hell. The blisters on a Valiant are only cosmetic. Valiant 40s are on the market at some great prices. You get alot of boat for the . Before you buy one take one for a sail. The 42 and the 40 are the same . The only difference is the 2 foot bow sprit. I have even seen some guys put a bow sprit on a 40. doesn't as well as a 42 because they repositioned the on the 42. Weather hasn't been much of a concern on our boat maybe if I added a bow sprit it would be. I'd look at a Texas built ,non blister Valiant 40. Side entry traditional layout. Some of the last 40's ,before the 42's, even have a separate stall. I think it was around 1983 or 4 ? I hope this helps you understand why people like Valiants. They are well built, safe and good looking. Guy

01-11-2010, 17:55
Boat: Valiant 40 (1975)

01-11-2010, 18:03
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft	skeg. Had one limp in here in 2002, took a knockdown 200 miles East of , forestay pulled out of Sta-lock type fitting at bottom, and foil, sail and slid right off the boat and sunk. Skeg broke right off the hull. I assisted the yard's glass guy to put it back on. IIRC, elderly owner canceled his and boat went back to US.

07-11-2010, 19:53
Boat: Valiant 40 (1975)	fitting at the bottom of the skeg, I have never seen it even move. It is attached to the hull below the tank. Maybe Bob P. could address this issue (what is the bonding between the skeg and the hull) as I do not know. BTW- did the babystay keep the up? You would think that it would.

08-11-2010, 05:03
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft	that comment. But to me, is the most important item to be shared on the forum. The babystay did keep the mast up. The skeg was/is a hollow molding, coped to the hull shape, and attached with multiple layers of glass around it's adjoining external faces. It remained partially attached to the hull. There was no cutout in the hull, which would have allowed internal tabbing. There were no mechanical fastenings applied. I spoke to the glass guy (considered the best we have on the island) this morning to confirm what I remembered.

08-11-2010, 16:57
Boat: Valiant, 40,"Miss Ellie"	if the skeg didn't release?' If instead, the blow to the skeg caused a hole the size of the skeg mounting, I doubt the boat would float for long. To weaken the hull under 90 gallons of may have caused greater problems. I personally peeled and reglassed and faired the whole hull(under the line). I can tell you that the glass is very thick there. Yes it is a foam filled, glassed on skeg. I feel safer knowing it broke off rather than sunk the boat. Once up in the North Channel we hit a rock shelf on our way into an anchorage. Only doing about 2 knots. Stopped dead. Knocked me off my feet. Left a softball size chunk of deformed lead. With a hammer and a good 4 hours of pounding I reformed the . Only minor fairing cracks to fill and sand. No damage to the rest of the keel. Then re-epoxied and painted. Looks good as new. My biggest concern was the and mounts. They seem fine. That is a whole lot of mass moving in one direction to have stopped dead. Stupid mistake that makes me check twice and then compare to the new chart plotter. I can tell you I don't want to do that again. Luckily it wasn't the hull that contacted first instead of the lead front on the keel. The fact that the skeg could be repaired so easily and the rudder was saved gives reason for a skeg in the first place. A fin rudder without a skeg would have been a real messsy expensive . ie rudder shaft and bearing problems. It would be interesting to hear Mr. Perry's take on it. Guy "MissEllie"V40/203

08-11-2010, 17:10
Boat: Valiant, 40,"Miss Ellie"	. That surprises me. Maybe an earlier that weakend the skeg and was not addressed properly. I can only guess that could have been the problem. Guy

09-11-2010, 03:42

Boat: Valiant 42CE

, forestay pulled out of Sta-lock type fitting at bottom, and foil, sail and slid right off the boat and sunk.
Skeg broke right off the hull. I assisted the yard's glass guy to put it back on.
IIRC, elderly owner canceled his and boat went back to US.

09-11-2010, 05:11
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft

06-06-2020, 04:36
	off and emptied the (both are full, but they are on the centerline), and there’s no water in the , but she’s still listing. Has anyone else experienced this or have any ideas on a possible cause?

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Valiant Yachts are designed and built for the shorthanded crew. The new Valiant 42 has once again set a pace that only other can follow. With its newly expanded sail plan featuring a double spreader rig mast and anchor-bowsprit, performance and balance has never been better. And as with all Valiant Yachts, that comfortable offshore ride is ever present. From its fine bow entry to its classic rounded-tumble home stern, the Valiant hull design provides the strength and impact resistance that veteran sailors look for in a world class performance cruiser.

When it’s just you against mother nature’s worst in the middle of the ocean, do you want anything less than a Valiant?

Valiant 42 – Specifications
















*Optional tankage available!

STANDARD FEATURES
INTERIOR LAYOUT
INTERIOR PHOTOS

CONSTRUCTION:

Gelcoat Isophthalic gelcoat used exclusively on all large and small fiberglass parts
Resin Isophthalic resin used throughout the entire lay up of the hull, deck and all components. The resin is hand-batched and catalyzed in one-gallon increments. The catalyst / resin mixture is dyed to achieve the proper wet out technique.
Hull One piece, solid fiberglass, hand laminated of alternate layers of mat and woven roving.
Deck Hand laminated, balsa cored fiberglass for strength weight ratio with high-density structural foam in high-stressed areas.
Skeg / Rudder Fiberglass hand laminated structural parts, stainless steel solid shaft with internal steel core, encased in resin and foam.
Keel External mounted lead ballast, bedded with 3M 5200 sealant. Through-bolted with 17 3/4 stainless steel J-bolts incorporating stainless steel backing plates.
Bulkheads Bonded with fiberglass to hull and deck with tie plates to floor structures.
Furniture All horizontal and vertical flats fiberglass bonded to hull and deck.
Chainplates Stainless steel with backing plates through bolted to solid fiberglass structural knees.
Hull Insulation 1/2 closed cell foam from the waterline to the sheer on inside of hull to prevent condensation and provide sound insulation.
Engine Room Insulation One-inch Sound Stop lined foam throughout to provide sound insulation.
Top Sides Finished with Imron polyurethane white hull with contrasting whale and double boot for superior finish, mar resistance and color retention.
Underbody Barrier coating applied below the waterline, then marine anti-fouling bottom paint is applied.
Floor Timbers / Engine Beds Fiberglass laminated over high-density structural foam, sealed and finished with isophthalic gelcoat.
Deck To Hull Mechanically joined with through bolts and bedded with 3M 5200 sealant.
Rub Rail Molded in structural with sacrificial teak and stainless strake
Engine Freshwater cooled Westerbeke diesel with V-drive and reduction gear
Engine Instruments Deluxe panel recessed in cockpit with tachometer, hour meter and gauges.
Engine Controls Single lever side-mount for shifter and throttle at pedestal.
Engine Mounts Flexible shock-absorbing, bolted to aluminum engine rails that are through-bolted to high-density glassed in engine beds
Seacocks Bronze / stainless ball valves on all through hulls below waterline, with easy access for operating.
Propeller Bronze fixed-blade Sailor.
Propeller Shaft Nautilloy™ 1-1/4 stainless steel.
Strut & Gudgeon Valiant Custom silicone bronze casting.
Fuel Filter / Water Separator
Strainer – 1 1/2, Seawater intake, bronze.
Engine Exhaust Aqua lift with Valiant Custom anti-siphon system
Fuel Tanks Marine alloy with clean-out, deck fills and vents, and tanks are removable
il Change Pump In engine room for Westerbeke engine.
Remote Oil Filter In engine room for Westerbeke engine.
AC / DC Distribution Valiant Custom electrical panel with DC volt meter, amp meter, AC volt meter, reverse polarity indicator, DC breaker with 28 positions available and AC breaker with 12 positions available. Interior
Lights Chart table light (high/low red or white), reading lights in bunk areas, reading lights in main salon aft port and starboard, dome lights in head, shower and bunk areas. High/low dome light main salon port and starboard, lighting above sink and icebox countertop, engine room light, locker lights with door switches, companionway entrance light with switch, courtesy lights under main salon and galley toe recesses
Navigation Lights To COLREGS bow and stern lights on pulpits. Anchor light and combination steaming and foredeck light on mast. Tri-color strobe ligh At masthead. Batteries Two bank system, four gel cell batteries on house bank, one gel cell on starter bank in fiberglass battery bases with offshore hold-down system for each bank.
Battery Charger 110 volt automatic, 40+ amp with temperature sensor.
Alternator – 100 amp.
Wiring Tinned copper and meets ABYC specifications
Freshwater Tanks Marine Stainless Located under settees port and starboard with clean-outs, deck fills and vents. Custom built and removable.
Head Manually-operated with Y-valve for selection to holding tank or overboard offshore discharge. Holding tank has deck fitting for pump out and manual pump out for overboard offshore discharge. Holding tank is marine alloy and removable.
Deck Washdown Deck fitting for hose forward on deck in bulwarks with 12 volt pressure switch pump and thru hull located forward in interior below furniture.
Foot Pump Freshwater in galley.
Bulkheads Solid joiner trim finished with hand-rubbed oil finish.
Trim Sea rails and fiddles on all horizontal surfaces, laminated trim pieces on all arch door frames and cap bulkheads.
Cabin Sole Finish Satin Varathane three coats.
Cabin Sides Handrails on cabin truck sides, with Formica sideliner.
Twist Latches Flush-mounted on all opening locker doors and drawers.
Dining Table Walk-around drop-leaf table with Formica top leaves and center storage, with fiddles.
Pantry Locker Four locking sliding track shelves.
Chain Locker Interior access with divider and drains to bilge.
Cushions Valiant Custom interior upholstery with high-quality foam cushions.
Nav Station Large chart table area with spacious electronics area.
Wet Locker Vented with drain.
Stove Gimbaled three-burner, stainless steel propane with oven and LPG safety control panel.
Flash Guard Stainless steel mounted above stove.
Stove Crash Bar Sturdy rings for offshore galley strap.
Hull Sideliner Horizontal ash ceiling battens screwed and plugged with varathane satin finish.
Cabin Sole – Planked and plugged 1/2-inch solid teak with inlaid basswood strips, sanded and sealed. Sole lift outs have mechanical locking devices.
Non-Skid Valiant Custom system, two-tone on deck, cockpit and cabin top.
Hatches Six Lewmar Ocean Series offshore with custom hatch bosses.
Portlights Hood stainless steel opening ports with screens.
Mooring Cleats Six 12-inch stainless steel.
Genoa Turning Blocks Two double sheave.
Primary Winches Two Lewmar 58CST Ocean Series.
Staysail Winches Two Lewmar 40CST Ocean Series.
Halyard Winch One Lewmar 40CST Ocean Series.
Group 27 engine starting battery
Custom backlit electrical panel with AC/DC amperage and voltage display, battery monitor,
Link 10 house battery monitor
Electrical panel hinged for easy access
12V utility plugs at chart table, helm, forward locker
Copper ground strap glassed to hull at waterline for SSB ground plane
Wiring led clear of bilge where possible

SPAR/RIGGING

Mast Valiant Custom aluminum extrusion with white polyurethane finishing, tapered upper section, double spreader, through-bolted tangs, fabricated/welded cranehead, internal halyards, conduit for mast wiring, spinnaker bails, extra halyard sheaves.
Boom Valiant Custom fabricated aluminum with white polyurethane finish, internal outhaul, internal topping lift, bails for main sheet blocks, swivel gooseneck fitting.
Spar Fly Windex 15.
Standing Rigging 12 rod for uppers, forward and aft lowers, headstay and backstay, 10 rod intermediate upper, 1/4-inch 1×19 wire for forestay. Fittings are Navtec marine turnbuckles.
Mast and Boom Tangs, deck pad eyes are installed for preventor and runners (running rigging for preventor system and mast runner are optional).
Running Rigging 1/2 XLS main and jib halyards, 7/16 XLS staysail halyard, 3/8 XLS traveler control lines, 7/16 XLS with vinyl cable for boom topping lift.
Sheets Genoa 5/8 Intrepid, staysail 1/2 Intrepid, main 1/2 XLS.

Prices, specifications, materials and equipment are subject to change without notice.

Below decks, Valiant offers semi-custom interior design incorporating only the finest quality materials and craftsmanship. Unsurpassed joinery work combined with select primary woods such as cherry or teak accented with ash and poplar in designated areas insure your home away from home will always provide the style and comfort you expect. More importantly, our interiors are built like the exteriors, strong! All furniture, whether horizontal or vertical is fiberglass bonded to the hull and deck, insuring maximum strength. And since our yachts are semi-custom, interior layouts are virtually unlimited. Each new owner can personalize their yacht to their requirements.

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A Valiant Spirit: Esprit 37 Review

By Richard Smith
Updated: May 17, 2013

Robert H. Perry designed the Esprit 37 for Valiant Yachts , for whom his Valiant 40 was so successful. He gave it a relatively low amount of wetted surface, a low displacement-to-length ratio (for the time), a moderate cruising fin keel, and a skeg-hung rudder. This is a boat intended to be driven hard and fast across open water in any weather in safety and in reasonable comfort.

From any angle, the Esprit 37, with its sharply raked stem, handsome sheer, and well-resolved canoe stern looks purposefully seaworthy, as is expected of a Valiant.

The Esprit 37 has a hand-laminated solid-fiberglass hull to which the 6,300-pound keel is attached with 3/4-inch stainless-steel hook bolts that are cast into the lead. The deck is hand laminated with a balsa core, which delivers strength and light weight as well as good sound and thermal properties; however, at this age, it might’ve become soft where water has reached the core around hardware and fastenings.

Early boats, built by Nordic Yachts from 1977 to 1980, have been relatively free of blisters. Some Esprit hulls built by Uniflite between 1980 and 1982 suffered from blistering, both above and below the waterline. Later boats were built with an isophthalic resin that was immune to blistering.

The mast is keel stepped and masthead rigged. Earlier boats had wire rigging, but in 1979, boats built by Nordic Yachts were fitted with Navtec rod rigging, and some still have it. Although the chainplates are inboard of the toerail, they don’t seriously obstruct the side decks.

In the cockpit, it’s a bit of a tight squeeze getting past the wheel to the helmsman’s seat tucked well aft. The seats are nicely angled, deep, and a comfortable height above the sole. Cockpit lockers provide plenty of room for fenders and mooring lines, a vented gas-bottle compartment, and much more. A deck plate over the head of the rudderstock can be removed if the emergency tiller needs to be attached.

Belowdecks, the forward cabin contains a good-size V-berth with considerable storage space beneath it. Aft of it is the head, with a sink and a shower compartment with a seat. A large hanging locker is opposite the head.

In the saloon, a sleeping-length settee to starboard faces an ample L-shaped settee and table to port that converts to a generous double berth. Beneath each settee is a 60-gallon water tank. Headroom is about 6 feet 6 inches throughout.

A chart table is fitted aft of the starboard settee; the forward end of a quarter berth is the navigator’s seat. The compact but entirely sufficient U-shaped galley is on the port side, its deep double sink near enough to the boat’s centerline to drain on either tack. An abundance of lockers will hold enough stores to provision four crew for at least three weeks at sea.

The original engine was a Westerbeke diesel. It’s behind the companionway steps, which can be removed to provide access. Under sail, the Esprit 37 is beautifully balanced, light on the helm, and accelerates nicely even in just 5 or 6 knots of wind. It’s easily sailed by a singlehander and has fine seakeeping qualities.

The Esprit 37 is a solid, no-nonsense boat that provides good accommodation for a crew of four or five on extended voyages in any waters. Asking prices range from $50,000 to $60,000.

Richard Smith and his wife, Beth, sail their Ericson Cruising 31, Kuma , in the Pacific Northwest.

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At the St. Petersburg Boat Show month last month, I had the pleasure of seeing delivery skipper and author John Kretschmers presentation on what he called sailboats for a serious ocean. I have reservations about any ideal boat list, but Kretschmer, who reviews boats for Sail Magazine and whose most recent book Sailing a Serious Ocean is available in our online bookstore , has the ideal background for this sort of work, and a list like this is undeniably helpful for wannabe cruisers who need a place to start their search.

I certainly wouldnt limit my search to boats on such a list, but by paying careful attention to the pros and cons of each, you can find something that suits your own aspirations.

Here are the boats Kretschmer suggests: Contessa 32, Pacific Seacraft 34, Pretorien 35, Cape Dory/Robinhood 36, Valiant/Esprit 37, Prout Snowgoose 37, Alajuela 38, Privelege 39, Freya 39, Passport 40, Caliber 40, Baba 40, Hallberg Rassy 42, Taswell 43, Hylas 44, Norseman 447, Beneteau 456, Outbound 44, Hylas 46, Kaufman 47, Tayana 48, Hylas 49, Amel Maramu 53, and the Sundeer 60/64. For a brief capsule summary of each, be sure to check out his website.

The list is hardly definitive. There are plenty of good boats that arent featured, and some of these would be ill-matched for the wrong sailor-Kretschmer clearly pointed this out during his talk. I like how the list presents a good cross-section of the various shapes and sizes for a boat in this category. For example, Kretschmer includes the Prout Snowgoose and Steve Dashews Sundeer 60, boats that, notwithstanding their successful record at sea, fill an outlying niche.

If I were going to expand the list, one of the heavier-displacement microcruisers like those I blogged about would be a nice addition. Although I would be wary of promoting even the most formidable of this breed as well-suited for a serious ocean, John Neale of Mahina Tiare Expeditions includes one of them, the Dana 24, on his own list of recommend cruising boats . Neales much broader list of boats is accompanied by a very helpful discussion of design elements to consider.

What got me thinking about formidable cruising boats was our series of reports o n sailboat construction , focusing specifically on structural details. Although there are plenty of excellent coastal cruisers on the market, once you start talking about offshore duty, scan’tlings (the dimensions for structural components) take on far more importance.

A few years ago we touched on this subject in our Mailport section, encouraging readers to suggest their own nominees for a list of what we called at the time, tough boats, vessels that were built to take a beating, requiring minimal care and upkeep.

Here are some of the boats that were suggested from our readers: Mariner 36, Cal 34, Morgan 43, Swan 43, Bermuda 40, Island Packet 26, Mariner 47, LeComte Northeast 38, Westsail 32, Dana 24, J/35, and the CSY 44.

Id be interested in hearing of other nominees for this list, or other good resources for sailors looking for a short list of good offshore boats.

For those who are frustrated to find that their own ideal boat isn’t on anybodys list, I wouldnt be too miffed. The best line Ive heard in a while on this topic came from Steve Callahan, the author of the survival classic Adrift , who gave a presentation at the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Show . When I asked Steve, who has sailed extensively on both multihulls and monohulls, what type of boat he preferred, he said, quite seriously. Well, at the end of the day, the best cruising boat is the one that you are on.

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Valiant 40 Sailboat Review
Best bargain: Look for a fire-retardant, potentially blistered Uniflite 40 built between 1976 and early 1981. Prices should range from $90,000 to $130,000. Hull numbers 250 to 266 were non-fire-retardant resin boats and prices will range from $110,000 to $150,000, again depending on condition and equipment. Texas-built Valiant 40s (numbers 267 ...
Valiant 40: Reshaping the Cruising Hull
The Valiant 40 has a long history. In 1972, Nathan Rothman decided to start a boatbuilding business and approached old friend Bob Perry to design the ultimate cruising yacht. At that time, Rothman and Perry were young, poor, relatively inexperienced and full of ideals. Perry accepted the offer without even asking to be paid right away.
Valiant 40: A Legend in its Own Time
In a recent classified, a "Valiant 40 Project Boat," total refit nearly complete, was listed at $69,000. Hull No. 187, with an asking price of $130,000, is sitting at the dock in San Carlos, Mexico, waiting for you to take her over and make a beeline for the horizon. Newer models are a lot more expensive; a 1992 V40 was advertised recently at ...
Valiant 42
The Valiant 42 is a direct descendant of naval architect Bob Perrys seminal Valiant 40, the first of which was built by Uniflite in Bellingham, WA, and launched in 1975. The 40 was a commercial and critical success: Some 200 were eventually built, and the boat, which is credited with introducing the term performance cruiser to the sailing ...
Valiant 40: A Look from Stem to Stern
Except for the significant blistering that plagued the Uniflite hulls, most of the problems with Valiant 40 are typical of many boats of this era or easily fixable. Owners have learned to live with many of the issues that irked our testers. Most of them have been remedied in the later Valiant 42. The trademark fin keel was offered in a deep ...
Valiant 42RS: Updates the Classic Cruiser
The Valiant 42RS updates the classic Valiant 40 cruiser. By Chris Caswell. November 7, 2002. First introduced in 1973, more than 200 Valiant 40s have put to rest the myth that cruising yachts must be slow and heavy, but company President Rich Worstell saw a need for a redefined and expanded version of the original Bob Perry-designed 40-footer.
Valiant 39 Sailboat Review
More: 31 - 40 ft, before 2000, Bluewater Cruising, keelboat, monohull, Sailboat Reviews, Sailboats, valiant; Advertisement More Sailboats; For Sale: 1984 Camper & Nicholsons 58 Alubat Updates OVNI Models For Sale: Little Harbor 63 Ketch Sailboat Review: Fountaine Pajot Aura 51 Advertisement
Review of Valiant Yachts
The Valiant 40 is an iconic ocean going sailboat designed by Robert H. Perry in 1973. The Valiant 40 was inducted into the Sailboat Hall of Fame in 2015 for its incredible contribution to sailing. The Valiant Yachts company built the boats in Texas after purchasing the mold and design from Uniflight Inc. in 1984.
Valiant 40
Valiant 40, 1981-1984 $100k-$175k USD (hulls #250-266) Valiant 40, 1985-1992 $140k-$280k USD (Texas built hulls #267-300) Valiant 42, 1992-2010 $250k-$600k USD. Links, References and Further Reading » Boats.com, feature on the Valiant 40 "A Legend in its Own Time" » Buying a Used Valiant 40, review by John Kretschmer, Apr 1999
Valiant 40 Used Boat Review
Valiant 40 Used Boat Review. Perhaps no other boat built in the last 25 years has been more glorified or more vilified than the Valiant 40. A 1995 survey by Sail Magazine ranked the Valiant 40 with the likes of the J/24, Laser and Australia II among the boats that had had the most positive impact on sailing over the last 25 years.
The Valiant 40 Sailboat
The Valiant 40, as its name suggests, is a valiant sailboat that offers sailors the freedom and adventure intrinsic to the open seas. Known for its robust construction and exceptional sailing capabilities, this premier ocean-going vessel has attracted attention worldwide. ... According to countless sailor testimonials and yachting reviews, the ...
Valiant 40 Review: The Original Performance Cruiser
The Valiant 40 is known as the first performance cruiser. Valiant started when Bob Perry, Nathan Rotham, and the Dabneys met. The Dabneys were looking for a fast cruising design instead of the Westsail 32 genre. The Westsail 32 is a great cruiser but also a "wet slug" - slow in light airs. Perry was an up and coming designer, and Rotham ...
Valiant 40
Uniflite was a major builder of powerboats, but also had a number of military contracts (including the famed Naval Academy 44-foot Luders yawls) and the first Valiant 40 was launched in 1973. The rest, of course, is history; and, until it was replaced by the Valiant 42 recently, the 40 had been in continuous production with 200 boats built.
Used Boat Review: Valiant 42
The Bluewater Cruiser Valiant 42. During the late 1970s, '80s, and '90s there was a high demand for medium-sized heavy-displacement bluewater cruising boats. Builders flooded the market with heavy displacement boats from the United States, Europe, and the Far East. Boats such as Bristol, Hallberg Rassy, Hans Christian, Tayana, Tashing, and ...
Valiant 42
The Valiant 42 is a 1992 evolution of Bob Perry's groundbreaking Valiant 40 design by Valiant Yachts. The boat was sold as a low volume semi-custom long distance cruiser. The original Valiant 40 hull remained unchanged while the deck mold was updated to offer more options to the interior layout. The original Valiant 40 layout with an offset ...
Valiant Sailboats (Review, Comments)
The Valiants are some of Bob Perry's most famous designs. They are marvelously strong and seaworthy sailboats, meant for world cruising. The 42 is a slight modification of the original Valiant 40, which was voted the Cruising Boat of the Decade. They've competed in round-the-world races and many of them have circumnavigated.
2006 Valiant 42
The Valiant 42 CE Queen features a comfortable and spacious owner's cabin with a V-berth queen-sized bed. The marine mattress is made even more comfortable with Froli springs under the marine cushions. There is an ample amount of storage with drawers below the berth as well as storage lockers to port and starboard.
Valiant 42 Sailboat
The new Valiant 42 has once again set a pace that only other can follow. With its newly expanded sail plan featuring a double spreader rig mast and anchor-bowsprit, performance and balance has never been better. And as with all Valiant Yachts, that comfortable offshore ride is ever present. From its fine bow entry to its classic rounded-tumble ...
VALIANT 40 (101-199)
Uniflite Corp. built the first 159 VALIANT 40s from 1975 to 1984. During this period, (between hull numbers 120 and 249) resin mixtures were changed to include a special, fire-retardant additive. (At the time, this was a requirement for boats they were building for the military.) This was thought to have caused the blistering that later ...
Esprit 37 Boat Review
Esprit 37 for Valiant Yachts, for whom his Valiant 40 was so successful. He gave it a relatively low amount of wetted surface, a low displacement-to-length ratio (for the time), a moderate cruising fin keel, and a skeg-hung rudder. This is a boat intended to be driven hard and fast across open water in any weather in safety and in reasonable ...
Valiant PH40
The Valiant Pilothouse 40 has all the fine points of the Valiant 40, with the addition of a pilothouse. Traditional in appearance but modern in design, she's swift, comfortable and forgiving. A seagoing cruising vessel that goes to windward, sails fast, and provides inside steering which protects you and your crew from the elements. ...
The Best Sailboats for the High Seas?
Here are the boats Kretschmer suggests: Contessa 32, Pacific Seacraft 34, Pretorien 35, Cape Dory/Robinhood 36, Valiant/Esprit 37, Prout Snowgoose 37, Alajuela 38, Privelege 39, Freya 39, Passport 40, Caliber 40, Baba 40, Hallberg Rassy 42, Taswell 43, Hylas 44, Norseman 447, Beneteau 456, Outbound 44, Hylas 46, Kaufman 47, Tayana 48, Hylas 49, Amel Maramu 53, and the Sundeer 60/64.
1977 Valiant 32 Cutter for sale
After the success of the Valiant 40, Bob Perry was asked to build a smaller, more affordable version during the late 70's. 65 of the Valiant 32's were made, starting in 1976 with Uniflite manufacturing the boats. Like the 40, the 32 is a strong sailing, heavier-built boat to handle all sorts of conditions that the PNW will throw at you.
1977 Valiant 32, Everett Washington
After the success of the Valiant 40, Bob Perry was asked to build a smaller, more affordable version during the late 70's. 65 of the Valiant 32's were made, starting in 1976 with Uniflite manufacturing the boats. Like the 40, the 32 is a strong sailing, heavier-built boat to handle all sorts of conditions that the PNW will throw at you.