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Valiant 42
Designer: Robert Perry  ·  Builder: Valiant Yachts  ·  First built: 1992
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About the Valiant 42

Built by Valiant Yachts during the 1970s and 1980s, this 42-footer earned a distinguished reputation among serious offshore cruising sailors seeking a dependable passage-maker. The design philosophy emphasized seaworthiness and structural integrity over flashy accommodations, creating a yacht that could handle extended ocean crossings with confidence. The hull features the classic full keel configuration that Valiant became known for, providing exceptional tracking ability and self-steering characteristics that long-distance sailors prize. This traditional underbody design, while not the fastest in light air, delivers the kind of predictable handling and stability that matters when miles from shore. Construction quality stands as one of the Valiant 42's defining characteristics. The solid fiberglass layup and robust interior structure have allowed many examples to continue sailing decades after launch, often with extensive cruising miles under their keels. The yacht's proportions and moderate sail plan create a forgiving platform for couples or small crews tackling ambitious voyages. While not designed for racing or coastal day sailing, the Valiant 42 excels in its intended role as a capable offshore cruiser. Sailors looking for a proven blue-water design with a track record of successful ocean passages continue to seek out well-maintained examples.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 42.00 ft / 12.80 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 34.50 ft / 10.52 m
Beam 12.75 ft / 3.89 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 24,600.00 lb / 11,158 kg
Ballast 9,500.00 lb / 4,309 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 849.00 ft² / 78.87 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Robert Perry
Builder Valiant Yachts
First Built 1992
Last Built 2010
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
138
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
16.12
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
34.87
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.76
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 7.87
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
1.94
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 52.92
J (Foretriangle Base) 19.71
P (Mainsail Luff) 48.33
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.58
SA Fore 521.53
SA Main 328.16
How It Compares

vs. Niagara 42, Swan 42, Tartan 42

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Valiant 42 ★
42.0 ft
Niagara 42
42.0 ft
Swan 42
42.0 ft
Tartan 42
42.0 ft
LWL
Valiant 42 ★
34.5 ft
Niagara 42
32.5 ft
Swan 42
33.8 ft
Tartan 42
32.0 ft
Beam
Valiant 42 ★
12.8 ft
Niagara 42
12.8 ft
Swan 42
13.0 ft
Tartan 42
12.3 ft
Displacement
Valiant 42 ★
24 lbs
Niagara 42
19 lbs
Swan 42
22 lbs
Tartan 42
22 lbs
Ballast
Valiant 42 ★
9 lbs
Niagara 42
8 lbs
Swan 42
9 lbs
Tartan 42
9 lbs
Sail Area
Valiant 42 ★
849 sq ft
Niagara 42
Swan 42
802 sq ft
Tartan 42
758 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Valiant 42 ★
138 s/nm
Niagara 42
111 s/nm
Swan 42
78 s/nm
Tartan 42
114 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Valiant 42 ★
16.1
Niagara 42
Swan 42
16.4
Tartan 42
15.5
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Valiant 42 ★
Niagara 42
40.9 %
Swan 42
41.8 %
Tartan 42
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Valiant 42 ★
34.9
Niagara 42
Swan 42
30.9
Tartan 42
34.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Valiant 42 ★
1.76
Niagara 42
Swan 42
1.85
Tartan 42
1.75
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Valiant 42 ★
Niagara 42
257
Swan 42
253
Tartan 42
Hull Speed
Valiant 42 ★
7.9 kts
Niagara 42
Swan 42
7.8 kts
Tartan 42
7.6 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Valiant 42 ★
1.9
Niagara 42
Swan 42
2.1
Tartan 42
1.6
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