1988 Valiant Esprit 37 vs 1995 Feeling 39 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 | 1995 Feeling 39 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Feeling |
| Year | 1988–1996 | 1995–2003 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Bob Perry | Philippe Harlé |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) | 11.80 m (38.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) | 3.78 m (12.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 132 L (34.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 246 L (65.0 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 1995 Feeling 39 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s design by Valiant from USA, while the 1995 Feeling 39 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was penned by Bob Perry. The 1995 Feeling 39 was designed by Philippe Harlé.
In terms of size, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 measures 11.28m (37.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.47m, compared to the 1995 Feeling 39 at 11.80m (38.7ft) with a 3.78m beam. The 1995 Feeling 39 is 0.52m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37. The 1995 Feeling 39 displaces approximately 7% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of sail area. The 1995 Feeling 39, with an SA/D of 17.05 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1995 Feeling 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1995 Feeling 39 has a comfort ratio of 18.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 and 38.5% for the 1995 Feeling 39, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L of water capacity and 132L of fuel. The 1995 Feeling 39 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1988 Valiant Esprit 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 1995 Feeling 39 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1995 Feeling 39 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 · 1995 Feeling 39