Built initially by Uniflite in Bellingham, Washington, the boat established its reputation early. Hull number 122, Mooneshine, became the first American monohull to finish the 1976 OSTAR. Hull number 101 was the first boat off the line. Uniflite built 159 Valiant 40s from 1975 to 1984. Rich Worstell, a Valiant owner and dealer, later acquired the molds and launched the first Texas-built boat, hull number 267.
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 reduce wetted surface area. Just enough bow flare helps keep the deck reasonably dry, while plenty of forward buoyancy keeps the bow from pearling in a seaway.
Early keels are slightly longer than later ones, a detail worth noting when comparing boats from different points in the production run. The Valiant 40 draws 6 feet 0 inches and spans 34 feet on the waterline. Displacement is 23,520 pounds, including 8,400 pounds of ballast. With a ballast-to-displacement ratio of .34 and a displacement-to-length ratio of 255, she sits 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 production. A few early boats left the factory with longer booms and end-boom sheeting. During a gybe, that arrangement could be a nuisance bordering on dangerous for an unaware helmsperson. The factory soon adopted a mid-boom traveler, shorter boom, and slightly taller rig, which settled the handling.
Under way, the Valiant 40 can make consistent 165-mile days without requiring the crew to expend lots of energy. With a conventional windvane, cutter rig, good sails, and careful trim, 6.5 to 7.5 knots is the norm on a breezy passage.
Accommodations and Cockpit
The interior remained the same throughout the production life, which simplifies the search for a buyer. A forward V-berth, outboard pilot berths, and an aft stateroom provide real sleeping capacity. The head includes a separate shower.
The U-shaped galley offers terrific storage. In the traditional main saloon, buyers may find either a bulkhead table or a permanent cruising fold-down version. Cabin headroom exceeds 6 feet.
The cockpit is comfortable and secure, providing a reassuring place to ride out weather or trim sails in peace.
Known Issues
Between hull numbers 120 and 249, the resin mixture was changed to include a fire-retardant additive. There was a high correlation between that additive and the blisters that later developed on boats in this hull-number range.
Blisters appeared on most, though not all, of the boats built between 1976 and 1981. Regardless of cosmetic presentation, buyers should consider any boat in that serial range a candidate for blister inspection.
Verdict
The Valiant 40 is a thoughtfully evolved Perry cruiser. Its early racing credibility and steady passage-making speed have aged into a coherent bluewater profile. The unchanged interior and refined rig favor the later mid-boom configuration, while the blister-prone middle hull numbers call for a close survey.
Pros
- Cutter rig and moderate hull deliver consistent passage speeds of 6.5 to 7.5 knots
- Secure cockpit and an unchanged, practical interior layout
- Early OSTAR finishes confirm offshore capability
Cons
- Hulls 120–249 have a high correlation with blistering associated with fire-retardant resin
- Early boats with end-boom sheeting present a gybe-handling hazard
