Writing in Cruising World, reviewers found the boat practical and quick. Bill Lee called it a “bulletproof cruiser’s delight,” while circumnavigator Mark Schrader described it as a bombproof boat built to take someone out to sea and bring him back intact.
Design and Construction
The Valiant 39 measures 39 feet 4 inches overall, with a 32-foot waterline, an 11 foot 6 inch beam, and a displacement of 18,500 pounds.
Its hull is laid up in one piece of solid glass, hand-laminated with alternating layers of mat and woven roving. Isophthalic resin is used throughout, from the gel coat into the laminate. Heavy mat and woven roving over high-density closed-cell foam form the floor timbers, while the sump contains up to two inches of solid glass.
The keel carries 7,000 pounds of external lead. It is 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. It joins the hull on an inturned flange, secured with 5200 and stainless bolts on 4 1/2-inch centers.
Forward below the waterline, deep-V sections and considerable tumblehome beneath a subtle sheer give the 39 its distinctive profile. Half-inch foam applied from the waterline upward provides insulation and sound dampening.
Rig and Handling
The expanded sail plan centers on a custom double-spreader, keel-stepped masthead rig with a hefty tubular stainless bowsprit, which enlarges the foretriangle. An inner forestay, brought to the stem aft of the bowsprit, supports a working staysail in a true cutter configuration. Fore-and-aft lowers and chain plates secured to structural knees keep the standing rigging grounded.
All Valiant spars are stepped through the deck for maximum strength. A full complement of oversized self-tailing offshore winches allows even a small crew to trim the 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 weren’t strong suits, but maneuverability and the ability to find a satisfying angle upwind were. The judges unanimously found her comfortable to sail.
Accommodations
The saloon has longitudinal settees that, fitted with lee cloths, make terrific sea berths. A folding dinette sits amidships.
To port, a serious navigation station includes a chart table, electrical panel, and electronics. Opposite it to starboard is a very secure U-shaped galley. The single head is aft on the port side, cleverly placed next to—but separate from—a shower stall.
Smallish double berths occupy the starboard quarter and forepeak. Cabin headroom is 6 feet 5 inches.
Systems and Power
A freshwater-cooled Westerbeke 35B diesel sits in an engine compartment behind the companionway steps. Two removable marine-alloy fuel tanks are located aft of the engine and provide 47 gallons of capacity.
Stainless tanks beneath the settees hold 128 gallons of fresh water, while the holding tank carries 36 gallons.
The electrical system includes dual-bank 12-volt DC service and a 110-volt AC shore-power connection with a 30-amp charger. Valiant’s assembled distribution panel has a DC breaker with 28 toggles, an AC breaker with 12, and monitoring meters.
Verdict
The Valiant 39 distills Robert Perry’s bluewater philosophy into a manageable, robust cruiser. It combines a bombproof structure with a cutter rig that a couple can handle. Its modest turn of speed is offset by sea-kindly manners, secure accommodations, and a build specification that emphasizes 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 to a structural sump by eleven J-bolts
- True cutter rig, with a bowsprit-enlarged foretriangle and oversized self-tailing winches
- Secure U-shaped galley, separate shower stall, and settee sea berths with lee cloths
Cons
- Speed and acceleration weren’t strong suits, according to the sea-trial judges
- Smallish double berths in the quarter and forepeak
- Only one head for the layout
