valiant 41-50 ?????

[Randall]

I saw a really cool boat this weekend a valiant 50. the back was compleatly rounded and the inside was huge. the company still makes them. i found some at yacht world and they seem to very well made but not as much as i thought they would be a 2000 for 225000. are they in the same groups as a Island Packet? A new one runs about the same. they also seem some what custom made..

[bottleinamessage]

I had a slip for about 5 years at the marina (Cedar Mills) in TX where they are produced. They are extremely well built, Robert Perry designed, Water boats">blue water boats. Not my cup of tea, but they are definitly a "go anywhere" boat.

[Pblais]

Valiant is one of the last great American boats still being built in Texas of all places. They also have headroom for those taller than average folks.

[roverhi]

Valiants have a reputation for quality and sailing ability. Only problem is a few boats in their first model, the V40, that were made with fire retardant resin. Boats blistered horribly to the point of being structurally unsound. This is a well known problem that you could 'Google' and find the exact hull numbers. Other than that, great boats.

Aloha
Peter O.

[johneri1]

Very fine choice; sweet boats! Definitely on my short list. The following comes from mahina.com I think:

Major blister problems on Valient 40 hull numbers 116‑250. No problems with any of the excellent Texas built boats. Proven designs, strong company.

[zehnmm]

We just got back several days ago from a trip to the Dallas area. During our visit we had a factory tour of the Valiant factory at the Cedar Mills Marina at Gordonville, TX.

The bottom line is that we were very impressed. We definitely have their 42 on our list.

While we have not sailed in quite a while, i.e., newbies for all practical intents and purposes, we have substantial research under our belts. Our view is that the Valiant folks make a bullet-proof blue water boat. IIRC, they make some 9 to 12 boats a year on a semi-custom basis. Only two models: the 42 and the 50. Most of their employees have been there a while. They make just about everything on site, except for sails, electronics, and so forth. I note that they make dodgers and biminis.

My opinion is that they do not cut corners. As for the blistering problem, we actually saw an older one on the hard being worked on. No structural problems, just a lot of blisters. It appears that there were some blistered boats quite a while back, but I believe none have been made in Texas since the mid 80's.

We believe that their national sales manager, Mr. Rick Lemon, did a great job on our tour and would not hesitate to go back to him when our time comes to purchase and we decide on a Valiant.

Regards to all,

Steve

[camaraderie]

Steve...Were they actually working on some new hulls while you were there? That would be a good sign given this economy!

[zehnmm]

Cam: Yes they were. We saw a new 42 that was being prepared for shipping to a customer. In their biggest building, we got to go up on wooden stairs to see a hull being worked on, plus another that had the deck on and was about 60% complete give or take. I think they were 42's.

We did not see anyone laying up fiberglass in either of their two forms for the 42 or 50.

I left the tour thinking that they are indeed active.

Regards,

Steve

[Joli]

The boats I've seen are well built. The plant in Texas has been written about on several occasions and is well regarded.

[night0wl]

Originally Posted by Randall

I saw a really cool boat this weekend a valiant 50. the back was compleatly rounded and the inside was huge. the company still makes them. i found some at yacht world and they seem to very well made but not as much as i thought they would be a 2000 for 225000. are they in the same groups as a Island Packet? A new one runs about the same. they also seem some what custom made..

If you're seeing a Valiant 50 for $225k, *BUY IT NOW*...no survey or nothing! That boat is generally worth 2x that amount. Buy it to "flip"...maybe you'll get your own show on TLC: Flip That Yacht.

[Liberty28]

IMHO, the Valiants are flatout "boat-porn", no doubt about it!!! And I personally love them!! Wow!!

[Curmudgeon]

As someone of more modest means, I'd be happy with a blister-free Valiant 32.