1978 Tayana 37 vs 1981 Valiant 32 — Comparison
1978 Tayana 37
1981 Valiant 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Tayana 37 | 1981 Valiant 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Tayana | Valiant |
| Year | 1978–1995 | 1981–1992 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | Taiwan | USA |
| Designer | Bob Harris | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 61.3 m² (660 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 265 L (70.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Tayana 37 and 1981 Valiant 32 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1978 Tayana 37 is a 1970s design by Tayana from Taiwan, while the 1981 Valiant 32 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1978 Tayana 37 was penned by Bob Harris. The 1981 Valiant 32 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1978 Tayana 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.40m, compared to the 1981 Valiant 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1978 Tayana 37 is 1.53m longer than the 1981 Valiant 32. The 1978 Tayana 37 displaces approximately 50% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Tayana 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.36 and 61.3 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 1978 Tayana 37 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Tayana 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 26.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.68). The 1981 Valiant 32 has a comfort ratio of 24.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Tayana 37 and 41.7% for the 1981 Valiant 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Tayana 37 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 265L of water capacity and 151L of fuel. The 1981 Valiant 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Tayana 37 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 1978 Tayana 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Tayana 37 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.