Valiant 40 Shoal Draft vs Full Draft

[CaptainBW]

I am interested in opinions/experience with the shoal draft version of the Valiant 40 including: Positives/negatives with this model, performance, handling under power, would you buy one or steer clear.

Thanks!

[GordMay]

Beware of the Uniflite Blisters ( Hull number 150 - 250, 1973 - 1984) which are not merely the typical cosmetic type.

Since they’re not particularly close-winded at 6 ft, I don’t think a few less inches of draft will appreciably depreciate her performance.

I’d like the Valiant a lot more without the canoe stern affectation. [I duck & cover]

[Curmudgeon]

There was a centerboard version of the V-40, I believe. I do not know if these versions were among hulls 150-250.

[s/v Beth]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Beware of the Uniflite Blisters ( Hull number 150 - 250, 1973 - 1984) which are not merely the typical cosmetic type.

Since they’re not particularly close-winded at 6 ft, I don’t think a few less inches of draft will appreciably depreciate her performance.

I’d like the Valiant a lot more without the canoe stern affectation. [I duck & cover]

Hey Gordon, you might not be my favorite know-it-all if you keep that up. As for close winded, I sail at 30 degrees off the wind with 30 year old sails... I have a 6 foot keel.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by s/v Beth

... I sail at 30 degrees off the wind with 30 year old sails... I have a 6 foot keel.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

You’re not the first I’ve heard make this claim - merely the first I would NOT suspect was wishing, exaggerating, or lying.

Notwithstanding any percieved imperfections (my misconceptions?), Valiants are very NICE boats. Too bad about that stern, though.

[s/v Beth]

You just don't like cute transoms...
Each to his own I guess

[btrayfors]

Gordon's right on re: the blisters. Affected boats up to hull #249.

However, I think he's never sailed on or against a V40. They are excellent performers on all points of sail...just one of the reasons the V40 was voted the Cruising Boat of the Decade!

I've sailed on them and against them and, for a time, was looking for one but couldn't then find a "non-blister" boat in my price range. Went for another Perry design instead with a taller mast and virtually the same underbody as the V40. She's a bit faster, though, and I like that! Also, has a prettier stern :-)

Bill

[Blue Stocking]

How many of them were built with the hollow rudder skeg attached to the hull with epoxy (?) only. No mechanical fastenings at all.
Helped put one back in place at a local yard here.