1981 Valiant 40 by Uniflite...?

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by carlylelk

At the Chicago Strictly Sail show two weeks ago i attended a seminar. The Valiants built by Uniflite came up and the moderator said these boats end up needing a "peel". I believe he said the gel coat debonded.

That being said, if you get the boat cheap enough, have it peeled, and repainted and you've got a brand new easy to clean hull finish!

I don't believe that this description of the Valiant/Uniflite blistering is at all accurate. I have personally seen pits that extend nearly through the laminate, and they were both outside eating inward and in the bilge, eating outward.

This ain't "gel coat debonding" IMO. And it isn't a cosmetic issue either!

Cheers,

Jim

[carlylelk]

I'm in the market for this general type and size. I like the Valiants for liveaboard use, but after reading this thread, and what I heard at the recent boat show, the reduction in the value for being "Uniflite" built is not worth the risk for me.

[JRM]

Originally Posted by carlylelk

I'm in the market for this general type and size. I like the Valiants for liveaboard use, but after reading this thread, and what I heard at the recent boat show, the reduction in the value for being "Uniflite" built is not worth the risk for me.

What risk? Firstly, not all Uniflite built Valiants are blister boats. They all are, however, old. The age issue is way more risky than the blisters.

Secondly, the blister issues are very well understood by the owners and others on the Valiant owners list. Why not do a do a bit of research where the facts are, instead of the random guy at the boat show? Why not ask several blister boat owners, or at least read the archives and see what they experienced?

Thirdly, there isn't any risk in buying a blister boat because the depreciation has already occurred. No blister Valiants have been lost to the blisters, and they're 35-39 years old. If it was going to happen, it would have happened by now. You aren't risking resell value you didn't pay in the first place.

Our Valiant predates the blistering resin mix. Even so, I would have no issues buying and sailing one so afflicted.

JRM

[Tropicyachty]

They were built with this German fire retardant resin and they blister from head to tow. Not a big deal if you get over your boat will be a full on blister baby! If you find a 1975 they were not built with that resin. Great Perry design! Blisters won't sink a boat.....don't bother peeling the entire boat, that is a fortune and the blisters come back. You just live with them.

[CaribbeanCraig]

If I read correctly .it was called Hetron resin..

[gordwedman]

I would venture that most people that talk about blisterson Valiants have never closely looked at one and certainly not owned one. If you stood on the dock and looked at my 1977 'blister boat" you would be hard pressed to see any blisters. If you came on deck and looked closely you could find a few raised areas in the gell coat and a few places where others have been ground out. Nothing major. My boat has never been peeled. All these boats are different to one extent or another. Some may have blistered worse than others. If you are interested in purchasing a great cruising boat you should at least take a look.

[theller]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

Before you run away, you should know that there has never been a fiberglass failure on one of the Valiants secondary to blisters.The blister boats were from mid 75 to 82 or perhaps 83. I have had lots of friends that have own such boats without problem. If funds are tight, they may be a solution. I prefer to spend an extra 40 K and get a non-blister boat. Mine is hull number 19 and has never had a blister on it.
BTW- for midsized boats I think the Valiants cannot be beat. I love taking her out in the Pacific.

Looking at a valiant 40... claims hull number 89. Sailboat data and other resources state the first hull off the line is #101. How can this boat or your boat be pre-101 Hulls?

[JRM]

Originally Posted by theller

Looking at a valiant 40... claims hull number 89. Sailboat data and other resources state the first hull off the line is #101. How can this boat or your boat be pre-101 Hulls?

I think you might be mixing the HIN (Hull Identification Number) with what everyone normally refers to as "hull number." With the exception of one prototype, the Uniflite built Valiants did start with "101" as the portion of the HIN for the first hull. So mine (which will be up for sale shortly as we've had a change of cruising plans) is considered hull number 14, but the HIN portion says #114. I'm not sure if the scheme continued on after Uniflite folded, but the pattern holds for the UNF boats.

In the above case, the HIN would have 189 in it.