Design and Construction
Perry's hull form is purposeful rather than decorative. The cut-away forefoot, modified fin keel with external lead, and skeg-hung rudder together reduced wetted surface area, and there is just enough bow flare to keep the deck reasonably dry anchor. Loads of forward buoyancy keep the bow from pearling in a seaway. Early keels are slightly longer than later ones, a detail worth noting for anyone comparing hulls across the production span. The boat draws 6 feet 0 inches, carries 8,400 pounds of ballast against a 23,520-pound displacement, and spans 34 feet on the waterline. With a ballast-to-displacement ratio of.34 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 255, she is firmly in the moderate-displacement cruiser class.
Rig and Handling
Most rigs were built by Spar-tech in Seattle, and the sail plan evolved during the run. A few early boats left the factory with longer booms and end-boom sheeting, a configuration that proved a nuisance bordering on dangerous for the unaware helmsperson during a gybe anchor. The factory soon introduced a mid-boom traveler with a shorter boom and slightly taller rig, settling the handling. Under way, a Valiant 40 is capable of consistent 165-mile days without a crew willing to expend lots of energy, and with a conventional windvane, cutter rig, good sails, and attention to trim, a comfortable 6.5 to 7.5 knots is the norm on a breezy passage.
Accommodations
The interior has remained the same across the production life, which simplifies shopping for an owner. A V-berth forward, outboard pilot berths, and an aft stateroom give the boat real sleeping capacity, while a head with separate shower serves the layout. The U-shaped galley offers terrific storage, and the traditional main saloon takes either a bulkhead table or a permanent cruising fold-down version. Cabin headroom clears 6 feet. The cockpit is comfortable and secure, a place to ride out weather or trim sails in peace.
Known Issues
Between hull numbers 120 and 249, resin mixtures were changed to include a fire-retardant additive, and there was a high correlation between that additive and the blisters that later developed on boats between those hull numbers anchor. Blisters appeared on most, though not all, of the boats produced between 1976 and 1981. Buyers should treat any hull in that serial range as a candidate for blister inspection regardless of cosmetic presentation.
The Verdict
The Valiant 40 is a thoughtfully evolved Perry cruiser whose early racing credibility and steady passage-making speed have aged into a coherent bluewater profile. The interior stability and rig refinement argue for the later mid-boom configuration, while the blister-prone middle hull numbers demand a close survey.
Pros
- Cutter rig and moderate hull deliver consistent 6.5–7.5 knot passage speeds
- Secure cockpit and unchanged, practical interior layout
- Early OSTAR finishes confirm offshore capability
Cons
- Hulls 120–249 carry high blister correlation from fire-retardant resin
- Early end-boom sheeting boats pose gybe-handling hazard
