Valiant 40 (101-199) Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Valiant 40’s reputation as a "reaching fool" is rooted in its high prismatic coefficient and a relatively long 34-foot waterline. With a Displacement/Length (D/L) ratio of approximately 255 and a Sail Area/Displacement (SA/Disp) ratio of 15.5, the boat was significantly leaner and more agile than contemporary cruisers like the Westsail 32. According to editorial reviews in Cruising World, the boat's fin keel and skeg-hung rudder allow it to track with remarkable stability while remaining responsive enough to be steered with a single finger.

The hull's "canoe stern" is not merely an aesthetic choice; Perry designed it with tumblehome and flat buttocks to pull volume aft, preventing the "squatting" common in traditional double-enders when pushed to hull speed. In heavy weather, the cutter rig provides a versatile sail plan, allowing for easy reduction. However, the boat’s broad, flared bow, while excellent for keeping the deck dry, can lead to pounding in a steep head-sea chop—a characteristic Perry himself has acknowledged in technical retrospectives for Sailing Magazine.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Valiant 40 was designed with offshore practicalities as the priority. The standard "orthogonal" layout features a large, U-shaped galley to port of the companionway—a Perry trademark—and a dedicated navigation station to starboard. Most hulls in the 101-199 range utilize a "Side Entry Traditional" layout, which consists of a forward V-berth followed by a port-side head and shower. The main salon is characterized by straight settees and a bulkhead-mounted table that opens up the cabin sole when not in use.

Materials typically include high-quality teak joinery and a teak-and-poplar cabin sole. A notable variation found in some mid-production hulls is the "Pullman" layout, which moves the head aft and features an offset double berth in the forward stateroom. Owners of these Uniflite-built hulls often note the generous storage, including pilot berths outboard of the salon settees and a deep "wet locker" near the companionway. Because these boats were often semi-customized, minor variations in cabinetry and bunk configurations are common across the 101-199 hull range.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Valiant 40’s cultural footprint is immense within the voyaging community. It was inducted into the American Sailboat Hall of Fame in 1997 and was named "Cruising Sailboat of the Decade" by multiple publications. Famous voyages in this model include Francis Stokes’ successful finishes in the 1976 and 1980 OSTAR aboard hull 122, Mooneshine, and Dan Byrne’s entry in the inaugural 1982-83 BOC Challenge aboard hull 101, Fantasy. Mark Schrader also cemented the model's legend by completing the first solo circumnavigation via the five Southern Capes in a Valiant 40 named Resourceful.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

• Resin Blistering: This is the primary concern for the 101-199 range. Hulls built roughly from number 120 onwards (late 1976 through 1981) likely used Hetron fire-retardant resin. This resin reacts with the fiberglass sizing to produce non-osmotic blisters that can occur anywhere on the hull, including above the waterline. While generally considered a cosmetic and resale issue rather than a structural failure, remediation is expensive and involves stripping the gelcoat and relaminating.
• Chainplate Corrosion: The stainless steel chainplates are known to suffer from crevice corrosion where they pass through the deck. A thorough inspection for "bleeding" or rust streaks is mandatory.
• Deck Core Integrity: Like many boats of this era, the Valiant 40 uses a balsa-cored deck. Areas around the stanchion bases, windlass, and staysail track are prone to moisture ingress if the hardware was not properly bedded.
• Keel Bolts: The external lead keel is secured with stainless steel bolts. Prospective buyers should inspect the bilge for signs of "keel smile" or weeping at the hull-to-keel joint.
• Early Traveler Placement: Very early hulls in this range may still feature end-boom sheeting with the traveler located aft of the cockpit. Most were later retrofitted to the mid-boom traveler configuration for safety and easier cockpit access.

Community & Resources

The Valiant Yacht Owners Association remains the most prominent technical resource for this model. This group maintains extensive archives on blister repair strategies, repowering guides (transitioning from original Westerbeke or Perkins diesels), and rigging upgrades.

The Verdict

The Valiant 40 (101-199) remains a blue-chip choice for serious offshore sailors who value speed and safety over modern interior volume.

Pros:

• Exceptional tracking and heavy-weather balance.
• High build quality in joinery and structural tabbing.
• Proven circumnavigation pedigree with strong owner community support.
• Modern underbody allows for 160+ mile days at sea.

Cons:

• Significant "blister boat" stigma for hulls 120 and above in this range.
• Tends to pound when driven hard into a steep chop.
• Limited headroom (approx. 6'2") compared to modern 40-footers.
• Aging original systems often require significant refit investment.