The Valiant 50 is and respectable in club racing.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
8.5 kts
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 40.3′, the Valiant 50 tops out around 8.5 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √40.3′ LWL = 8.5 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
PHRF Rating
102s/nm
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Ballast / Displacement
31.0%
Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.
Displacement / Length
243
Moderate — a good balance of speed and load-carrying ability.
Hull Speed
8.5kts
Pounds/Inch Immersion
12lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Valiant 50 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Beneteau 50
Valiant 50
Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.
Alden 50
Shannon 50
Tatoosh 51
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Valiant 50.
| Valiant 50 | Alden 50 | Beneteau 50 | Little Harbor 51 | Shannon 50 | Tatoosh 51 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||||||
| LOA | 50.7 | 50.3 | 50.8 | 50.6 | 50.9 | 50.6 |
| LWL | 40.3 | 37.1 | 45.4 | 41.0 | 42.8 | 42.1 |
| Beam | 13.8 | 13.5 | 14.7 | 15.3 | 14.3 | 15.4 |
| Displacement | 35 | 38 | 28 | 45 | 39 | 44 |
| Ballast | 11 | 16 | 9 | 18 | 15 | 14 |
| Sail Area | — | 1,092 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Performance | ||||||
| PHRF | 102 | 102 | 77 | — | 117 | 120 |
| SA/Disp | — | 15.5 | 17.6 | 15.3 | 17.1 | 15.7 |
| Bal/Disp | 31.0 | 42.9 | 32.5 | — | 39.7 | — |
| Comfort | — | 44.7 | 26.4 | 42.8 | 38.8 | 39.9 |
| Capsize | — | 1.61 | 1.92 | 1.71 | 1.68 | 1.75 |
| Hull Speed | — | 8.2 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.7 |