1976 Passport 40 vs 1981 Valiant 32 — Comparison
1976 Passport 40
1981 Valiant 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1976 Passport 40 | 1981 Valiant 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Passport | Valiant |
| Year | 1976–1985 | 1981–1992 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | Taiwan | USA |
| Designer | Robert Perry | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1976 Passport 40 and 1981 Valiant 32 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1976 Passport 40 is a 1970s design by Passport from Taiwan, while the 1981 Valiant 32 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1976 Passport 40 was penned by Robert Perry. The 1981 Valiant 32 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1976 Passport 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 1981 Valiant 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1976 Passport 40 is 2.44m longer than the 1981 Valiant 32. The 1976 Passport 40 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1976 Passport 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.95 and 66.0 m² of sail area. The 1981 Valiant 32, with an SA/D of 14.12 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1976 Passport 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1976 Passport 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). The 1981 Valiant 32 has a comfort ratio of 24.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 39.5% for the 1976 Passport 40 and 41.7% for the 1981 Valiant 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1976 Passport 40 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1981 Valiant 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Valiant 32 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1976 Passport 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1976 Passport 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.