1986 Valiant 40 vs 1978 Westsail 42 — Comparison
1986 Valiant 40
1978 Westsail 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1986 Valiant 40 | 1978 Westsail 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Westsail |
| Year | 1986–2001 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bob Perry | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.71 m (12.2 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 9,072 kg (20,000 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.3 m² (757 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1986 Valiant 40 and 1978 Westsail 42 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1986 Valiant 40 is a 1980s design by Valiant from USA, while the 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1986 Valiant 40 was penned by Bob Perry. The 1978 Westsail 42 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1986 Valiant 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.71m, compared to the 1978 Westsail 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1978 Westsail 42 is 0.61m longer than the 1986 Valiant 40. The 1978 Westsail 42 displaces approximately 45% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1986 Valiant 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.42 and 70.3 m² of sail area. The 1978 Westsail 42, with an SA/D of 13.12 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1986 Valiant 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1986 Valiant 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.71). The 1978 Westsail 42 has a comfort ratio of 27.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1986 Valiant 40 and 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1986 Valiant 40 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 340L of water capacity and 189L of fuel. The 1978 Westsail 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Westsail 42 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 1986 Valiant 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.