Quote:
Originally Posted by goboatingnow
Mind you I've seen about 2 in the whole of Europe , yet we have a lot of ocean cruisers hereabouts . That design is very NA in orientation. The French are prolific ocean sailors , as are the Kiwis , they seem to prefer faster modern designs for their typical cruise in " bluewater". It demonstrates that a lot of it has nothing to do with inate characteristics but personal preference
Ps. I would suggest posters that eulogising your own boat isn't really useful. I mean how many owners do you meet that say , " yeah I have an "X" , its crap. "
Dave
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Dave:
The Valiant 40 was sailed in the first BOC challenge (1982-83).... before the
race became over-run by
sponsor money with racers sailing boats the average sailor could never get close to. It was "Fantasy" and sailed by Dan Byrne (a retired newspaper guy).
Mark Schrader sailed a Valiant 47 "Lone Star" in the 86-87 BOC and was the only boat that did not have to stop for
repairs.
'Blue
Water Sailing' (a NA sailing rag) did a great write-up of the boat (pros & cons) in October 97. "Cruising World" featured an article by Mark Schrader himself in August 2002. Lots of other sailing rags have also done so over the years (probably all NA based).
The comment you make about NOT eulogizing one's own boat does not make sense: this is what we know. How else do we make knowledgeable posts except to base them on our own experiences?
There are lots of great boats out there. My opinion is: if you cannot afford to get out and enjoy it because the cost of running the boat is too high... what is the point?
The Valiant has been great for us because it is the right size, the cost has been manageable and she
sails like a dream. We are only forced to
work when the
money runs out and that has not happened to often in the last 24 years.
A chap here in NZ recently bought a 70's era Valiant 40 for $25,000.00 NZD (about $16,000 Euro). It needs some
work but he'll be off sailing and enjoying a great boat for not very much moola after he fixes her up. Right now there is another 70's era Valiant
for sale in Bayswater. I think the guy will take 60K NZD....