1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 vs 1981 Valiant 32 — Comparison
1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24
1981 Valiant 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 | 1981 Valiant 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pacific Seacraft | Valiant |
| Year | 1980–2007 | 1981–1992 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.54 m (8.3 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,043 kg (2,299 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 23.5 m² (253 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 and 1981 Valiant 32 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 is a 1980s design by Pacific Seacraft from USA, while the 1981 Valiant 32 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 was penned by William Crealock. The 1981 Valiant 32 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 measures 7.32m (24.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.54m, compared to the 1981 Valiant 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1981 Valiant 32 is 2.43m longer than the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24. The 1981 Valiant 32 displaces approximately 118% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.98 and 23.5 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 1981 Valiant 32 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.75). The 1981 Valiant 32 has a comfort ratio of 24.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.8% for the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 and 41.7% for the 1981 Valiant 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 1981 Valiant 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1980 Pacific Seacraft Dana 24 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 1981 Valiant 32 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1981 Valiant 32 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.