Design Lineage and Underwater Profile
Perry's 47, launched in 1981, had already become one of the most respected bluewater sailboats in the world before he added a bowsprit and moved the mast forward to create the 50—by his own account something like 13 inches forward of the earlier boat. That shift, combined with the bowsprit, gives the 50 her distinguishing profile against the 47 and a better-balanced helm than her predecessor. Perry has long aimed for as near neutral a helm as possible, and he suggested the 50 might be the better performer in that magic range of 15 to 22 knots, where trim need not be compromised to keep the helm gentle. Underwater, she carries a fin keel with skeg-hung rudder and a canoe stern, the standard lead keel drawing 6 feet 3 inches and a shoal option at 5 feet 6 inches; both are lead and the shoal version is shaped to preserve the same righting moment and stability as the standard.
Construction and Customization
Each Valiant 50 is a one-piece solid fiberglass hull using isophthalic resin, with plating close to two inches thick where the bilge turns. Floor timbers are high-density structural foam covered in fiberglass and glassed to the hull. The sole is solid half-inch teak-and-holly above 3/4-inch marine plywood, and the deck is secured using 5200 adhesive with an aluminum toerail bolted through every 4 1/2 inches. Valiant's build sequence installs the engine, tanks, and stove last, ensuring anything can be removed for repair later, and each boat takes about eight months to build by hand, one at a time. The 50's deck mold lets the owner choose locations for hatches, portlights, and Dorades and decide on a center or offset companionway, while the hull itself can be personalized to suit individual needs—four basic interior arrangements and two companionway locations were offered.
Rig, Handling, and Performance
The cutter rig and modest sail area of 1,036 square feet over a 35,500-pound displacement yield a SA/D around 14.3 to 15.35, meaning she will need a stiff breeze to get going and motor-sailing may be the practical answer in light air. Her ballast of 11,000 pounds against that displacement (a 30.9 ratio) suggests reefing early to stay upright in a moderate breeze, yet the 243 displacement-length ratio marks her as a moderate displacement cruiser that carries cruising gear without dramatic performance loss. Period reviews found a well-balanced helm, smooth motion, good turn of speed, and the ability to handle light winds and heavy weather with equal ease; she tracks well on all points, tacks through less than 90 degrees, and is responsive yet stable and forgiving. A comfort ratio near 38 places her seaway motion among moderate bluewater cruisers, and a capsize screening figure of 1.9 makes her a safer ocean-passage choice than a boat over 2.0. Writing in Blue Water Sailing, reviewers called her a proven passagemaker that can take you anywhere, and Sail described her as a serious cruising boat for serious cruisers.
Accommodations
Buyers could specify any of four basic interior arrangements with a center or offset companionway, the deck mold permitting owner-chosen hatches, portlights, and Dorades to suit. The solid teak-and-holly sole over marine plywood and foam-cored floor timbers speak to a built-to-order cruiser rather than a production repeat, and the last-in installation of tanks and stove protects service access no matter the layout chosen.
Refits and Ownership
Because Valiant Yachts ceased new build on January 22, 2011, the active support story rests on the manufacturer's sister company, which continues to supply parts and focus on refurbishing older boats. That pipeline matters for an owner-specified design: a 50 bought today can still draw factory-correct components and refurbishment know-how, a rare continuity for a hand-built limited run of about 40 hulls since 1994.
The Verdict
The Valiant 50 is a thoughtfully evolved Perry double-ender that translates the 47's bluewater pedigree into a more balanced, owner-customizable 50-foot cruiser. Her solid isophthalic hull, late-install systems, and ongoing factory support make her a defensible passagemaker, though her low sail-area ratio demands engine assistance in calm and early reefs in breeze.
Pros
- Better-balanced helm and likely stronger 15–22 knot performance than the 47 via forward mast and bowsprit anchor
- One-piece solid fiberglass hull with isophthalic resin and near-two-inch bilge thickness anchor
- Engine, tanks, and stove installed last for full future repair access anchor
- Capsize screening of 1.9 and LPS of 125 degrees for ocean-passage safety anchor
- Continued parts and refurbishment from manufacturer's sister company anchor
Cons
- Low SA/D near 14.3 means she needs a stiff breeze and may motor-sail in light air anchor
- Ballast/displacement of 30.9 suggests early reefing in moderate breeze anchor
- Only about 40 built, so limited used inventory and owner-spec variance anchor
