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26-01-2011, 06:07
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Depends
Boat: Cabo Rico
Posts: 770
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Valiant No Longer Manufacturing
I haven't seen this on here yet. I might have missed it. Apparently Valiant has announced they will no longer build new yachts. Valiant Yachts Closing Its Doors | Cruising Compass
Quote:
"After months of consideration, we have come to the very difficult decision that effective immediately we will no longer produce new Valiant sailboats. The ongoing economic situation has created an environment where it is no longer feasible to continue production."
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I know they are expensive, but I thought there was still a market for high-end performance cruisers.
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26-01-2011, 06:37
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sant Carles, S Spain
Boat: 30ft Catalac 900 "Rubessa"
Posts: 876
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A shame to see another well known maker go. It's a tough world out there at the moment and small 'niche' companies like this will inevitably suffer from competition from the big mass produced manufacturers.
I think the other problem is their style. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE classic boats (look at my 1979 flybridge for an example!) but their designs were stuck in the '70's. To not offer something more modern in the range with such expected things like bathing platforms, etc. to compete with the likes of Beneteau et all was a mistake.
__________________
Previous owner of a 1994 Catalac 900, now sadly SOLD
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26-01-2011, 06:42
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Depends
Boat: Cabo Rico
Posts: 770
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simonmd
To not offer something more modern in the range with such expected things like bathing platforms, etc. to compete with the likes of Beneteau et all was a mistake.
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I don't really think they are the same market as Beneteau and obviously their market was not big enough. They made boats primarily for offshore. I don't think most of their buyers wanted swim platforms. Apparently there aren't enough people who are willing and able to spend a ton of money for a great offshore boat.
I am sure the fact that well made boats never die is a problem too. A 20+ year old Valiant in good condition is almost as attractive as a new one.
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26-01-2011, 07:01
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sant Carles, S Spain
Boat: 30ft Catalac 900 "Rubessa"
Posts: 876
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I'm sure that the lack of a bathing platform didn't kill them directly, I ment that they just haven't evolved or moved on with the market like the others have. Look at Moody, they still retained great classic style but kept bang up to date. As you rightly said, a 20 year old Valiant is almost as good as a new one so what was the point in paying 100k + more?
__________________
Previous owner of a 1994 Catalac 900, now sadly SOLD
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26-01-2011, 07:06
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Boat: FP Lavezzi 40 / Hatteras 48
Posts: 775
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A loss to the industry. Great boats with a timeless aesthetic. It seems that more of the interesting niche players get squeezed out at every recession. And few step in to take their place.
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26-01-2011, 08:01
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#6
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX/Bocas del Toro, Panama
Boat: 1990 Macintosh 47, "Merlin"
Posts: 2,844
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Wow. What a shame. We have several friends with Valients. Just awesome boats.
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26-01-2011, 08:11
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Boston, MA
Boat: Bristol 38.8
Posts: 1,625
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They are great boats but the interiors are cramped by today's standards.
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26-01-2011, 08:16
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#8
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Senior Cruiser
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Chesapeake Bay
Boat: Sabre 28-2
Posts: 3,197
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Quote:
Originally Posted by simonmd
A shame to see another well known maker go. It's a tough world out there at the moment and small 'niche' companies like this will inevitably suffer from competition from the big mass produced manufacturers.
I think the other problem is their style. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE classic boats (look at my 1979 flybridge for an example!) but their designs were stuck in the '70's. To not offer something more modern in the range with such expected things like bathing platforms, etc. to compete with the likes of Beneteau et all was a mistake.
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I think it has much more to do with their price point. At $500,000 or so for a new boat, Valiant is in that unfortunate netherworld between everyman and super-rich. The boats are considerably more pricey than Beneteaus but not stratosphere-expensive, i.e., costly enough to attract the super wealthy, many of whom manage to weather economic downturns unscathed).
I have said this before - Beneteau can produce boats more like Ford produces cars, whereas Valiants (as many other manufacturers) are much more labor intensive, I believe.
It really is too bad. They are fine boats, even without a swim platform to slew around the stern in following seas.
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26-01-2011, 08:34
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oregon
Boat: Beneteau/343
Posts: 360
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To look at their webpage, you would not know that they have ceased operations.
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26-01-2011, 08:38
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#10
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Eternal Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,046
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Very, very sad. Valiants are great cruising boats, IMHO, with few real competitors.
I gotta believe that it's more than just economics, though. For some years now the manufacturer has been known to be "difficult" when it comes to any customization...even smallish things. That turns prospective buyers away.
Maybe, just maybe, someone will step forward and salvage the business so these wonderful yachts can continue to be produced.
Bill
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26-01-2011, 08:57
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Depends
Boat: Cabo Rico
Posts: 770
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davefromoregon
To look at their webpage, you would not know that they have ceased operations.
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I noticed that..Not a word.
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26-01-2011, 08:59
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oregon
Boat: Beneteau/343
Posts: 360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PamlicoTraveler
I noticed that..Not a word.
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Though a friend with a Valiant confirmed that he received a letter from Valiant stating they had ceased operations.
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26-01-2011, 09:09
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davefromoregon
To look at their webpage, you would not know that they have ceased operations.
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They probably have a company handle their website, and don't update it themselves. At this point they might not want to spend the cash.......
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26-01-2011, 09:21
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Nova Scotia until Spring 2021
Boat: Custom 41' Steel Pilothouse Cutter
Posts: 4,976
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slap
They probably have a company handle their website, and don't update it themselves. At this point they might not want to spend the cash.......
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I suspect they have a few boats left "on the stocks" that they want to sell before truly shutting the doors. Enthusiasts/current owners will buy the last of something, but the general audience would be concerned about warranty issues, and would look elsewhere.
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26-01-2011, 11:05
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#15
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Boston, MA
Boat: Bristol 38.8
Posts: 1,625
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My guess is that it wasn't Beneteau, Hunter etc. that drove them out of business. It was builders like Tartan, Gozzard and Island Packet, which sell at the same price point but offer more spacious interiors and more modern designs.
Hopefully Pacific Seacraft won't suffer a similar fate under its new ownership.
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