Design and Construction
The hull is laid up in one piece of solid glass, hand laminated with alternate layers of mat and woven roving, and isophthalic resin is used throughout from the gel coat into the laminate. Floor timbers are built up of heavy mat and woven roving over high-density closed-cell foam, and the sump is rendered with up to two inches of solid glass. The keel carries 7,000 pounds of external lead, bedded to the bottom of the sump with 3M 5200 and secured by a minimum of eleven 3/4-inch stainless J-bolts topped with 1/4-inch backing plates. The deck uses Baltek balsa core for stiffness and weight reduction, with structural foam in high-stress areas, and is affixed to the hull on an inturned flange with 5200 and stainless bolts on 4 1/2-inch centers. Below the waterline forward, deep-V sections and considerable tumblehome under a subtle sheer give the 39 its distinctive profile, and half-inch foam applied from the waterline up provides insulation and sound dampening.
Rig and Handling
The 39’s expanded sail plan centers on a custom double-spreader, keel-stepped masthead rig with a hefty tubular stainless bowsprit that enlarges the foretriangle anchor. An inner forestay brought to the stem aft of the bowsprit supports a working staysail in a true cutter configuration, while fore-and-aft lowers and chain plates secured to structural knees keep the standing rigging grounded. All Valiant spars are through-deck stepped for maximum strength, and a full complement of oversize self-tailing offshore winches lets even the smallest crew trim sails. During Boat of the Year testing in 10 to 12 knots of breeze and light chop, the helm proved responsive and the boat reacted positively to trim; speed and acceleration were not strong suits, but maneuverability and finding a satisfying angle upwind were, and judges unanimously found her comfortable to sail.
Accommodations
Below, the saloon includes longitudinal settees that with lee cloths make terrific sea berths, with a folding dinette amidship. A serious nav station with chart table, electrical panel, and electronics is tucked to port, opposed on the starboard side by a very secure U-shaped galley. One head sits on the port side aft, cleverly adjacent to but separate from a single shower stall, while smallish sleeping doubles occupy the starboard quarter and forepeak. Cabin headroom runs 6 feet 5 inches.
Systems and Power
A freshwater-cooled Westerbeke 35B diesel lives in an engine compartment behind the companionway steps, fed by two removable marine alloy fuel tanks aft of the engine with 47 gallons capacity. Fresh water is stored in stainless tanks beneath the settees for 128 gallons, and a holding tank adds 36 gallons. The electrical scenario includes a dual-bank 12-volt DC system and a 110-volt AC shore power hookup with a 30-amp charger, and the Valiant-assembled distribution panel provides a DC breaker with 28 toggles, an AC breaker with 12, and monitoring meters.
The Verdict
The Valiant 39 distills Robert Perry’s bluewater philosophy into a manageable, robust cruiser that couples a bombproof structure with a cutter rig a couple can handle. Its modest turn of speed is offset by sea-kindly manners, secure accommodations, and a build specification that stresses redundancy and grounding.
Pros
- One-piece solid-glass hull with isophthalic resin throughout and up to two inches of glass in the sump
- External lead keel secured by eleven J-bolts to a structural sump
- True cutter rig with bowsprit-enlarged foretriangle and oversize self-tailing winches
- Secure U-shaped galley, separate shower stall, and settee sea berths with lee cloths
Cons
- Speed and acceleration not strong suits per sea-trial judges
- Smallish quarter and forepeak double berths
- Only one head for the layout
