Valiant 40 sailboat
Encyclopedia
The Valiant 40 was the first boat designed by naval architect Robert Perry
, it was introduced in 1973. The boat is configured as a rear cockpit double-ender, cutter rigged monohull.
The boat's design was considered revolutionary at that time by bringing aspects of racing design into open ocean cruising yachts which up to then meant heavy and slow traditional boats. The Valiant 40 is credited with birthing the category of the "performance cruiser".. It was the first open-ocean going cruising monohull to have a modified keel designed to reduce weight and wetted surface while increasing speed and ease of propulsion of the hull shape by the wind. At least three Valiant 40s were built with centerboards.
At some point in 1976, a new type of resin
with the trade name "Hetron" was used in the fiberglass layup. The new resin was designed to be fire retardant, and was originally developed to the specifications of the US military late in the Vietnam War
. It was widely suspected, that the new resin to suffer from non-osmotic blisters of the hulls, deck, and cabinhouse structures. Boats built between 1976-1981 were most affected.. Most authorities on the subject consider the issue to be cosmetic and not of structural consequence in most cases.
Many of the "blister boats" were "repaired" by stripping the outer layers of fiberglas off the exterior of the hull (either undersides and topsides, or just undersides below the water line). The repair then involved drying out the stripped hull for several months (commonly in the California or Mexico desert), followed by reglassing the exterior with several layers of fiberglas with vinylester resin or polyester resin.
The success of several Valiant 40s competing in long ocean races during the early 1980s brought this boat to the notice of the world sailing community. Of special importance was a solo "wrong way" race completed in the Southern Ocean
on a Westabout course, sailing into the prevailing winds, using a factory-stock V-40. Many cruising couples have made successful transoceanic voyages and Valiant 40s are reported to turn 160-mile (256 km) days regularly on a passage.
After litigation and other business difficulties forced the end of production of the Valiant 40 in Washington, a broker who had sold Valiants bought the molds for the boat and continued production in Texas
near the shore of Lake Texoma
. The Valiant 40 has been slightly redesigned to become the Valiant 42, which is still in production after 35 years. Valiant Yachts has also manufactured 32 foot, 37 foot, 39 foot, 47 foot, and 50 foot models.
The Valiant 40 was elected to the American Sailboat Hall of Fame
in 1997 and was named Cruising Sailboat of the Decade. Used Valiant 40s have a good resale market in North America and other continents.
Robert Perry (yacht designer)
Robert H. Perry is a U.S. yacht designer based in Seattle, Washington. Among his designs are some of the most successful cruising yachts in modern cruising such as the Tayana 37 and Valiant 40....
, it was introduced in 1973. The boat is configured as a rear cockpit double-ender, cutter rigged monohull.
The boat's design was considered revolutionary at that time by bringing aspects of racing design into open ocean cruising yachts which up to then meant heavy and slow traditional boats. The Valiant 40 is credited with birthing the category of the "performance cruiser".. It was the first open-ocean going cruising monohull to have a modified keel designed to reduce weight and wetted surface while increasing speed and ease of propulsion of the hull shape by the wind. At least three Valiant 40s were built with centerboards.
At some point in 1976, a new type of resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
with the trade name "Hetron" was used in the fiberglass layup. The new resin was designed to be fire retardant, and was originally developed to the specifications of the US military late in the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. It was widely suspected, that the new resin to suffer from non-osmotic blisters of the hulls, deck, and cabinhouse structures. Boats built between 1976-1981 were most affected.. Most authorities on the subject consider the issue to be cosmetic and not of structural consequence in most cases.
Many of the "blister boats" were "repaired" by stripping the outer layers of fiberglas off the exterior of the hull (either undersides and topsides, or just undersides below the water line). The repair then involved drying out the stripped hull for several months (commonly in the California or Mexico desert), followed by reglassing the exterior with several layers of fiberglas with vinylester resin or polyester resin.
The success of several Valiant 40s competing in long ocean races during the early 1980s brought this boat to the notice of the world sailing community. Of special importance was a solo "wrong way" race completed in the Southern Ocean
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60°S latitude and encircling Antarctica. It is usually regarded as the fourth-largest of the five principal oceanic divisions...
on a Westabout course, sailing into the prevailing winds, using a factory-stock V-40. Many cruising couples have made successful transoceanic voyages and Valiant 40s are reported to turn 160-mile (256 km) days regularly on a passage.
After litigation and other business difficulties forced the end of production of the Valiant 40 in Washington, a broker who had sold Valiants bought the molds for the boat and continued production in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
near the shore of Lake Texoma
Lake Texoma
Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, the 12th largest Corps of Engineers lake, and the largest in USACE Tulsa District....
. The Valiant 40 has been slightly redesigned to become the Valiant 42, which is still in production after 35 years. Valiant Yachts has also manufactured 32 foot, 37 foot, 39 foot, 47 foot, and 50 foot models.
The Valiant 40 was elected to the American Sailboat Hall of Fame
American Sailboat Hall of Fame
The American Sailboat Hall of Fame was established in 1994 by Sail America to recognize ingenuity in designs by American boat builders. The physical display is housed in The Museum of Yachting located in Fort Adams State Park, Newport, Rhode Island, and includes examples of many of the selected...
in 1997 and was named Cruising Sailboat of the Decade. Used Valiant 40s have a good resale market in North America and other continents.