1990 Valiant 39 vs 1978 Westsail 42 — Comparison
1990 Valiant 39
1978 Westsail 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Valiant 39 | 1978 Westsail 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Westsail |
| Year | 1990–2000 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bob Perry | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 11.89 m (39.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,618 kg (18,999 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,447 kg (7,599 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 170 L (44.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Valiant 39 and 1978 Westsail 42 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1990 Valiant 39 is a 1990s design by Valiant from USA, while the 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1990 Valiant 39 was penned by Bob Perry. The 1978 Westsail 42 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1990 Valiant 39 measures 11.89m (39.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.56m, compared to the 1978 Westsail 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1978 Westsail 42 is 0.91m longer than the 1990 Valiant 39. The 1978 Westsail 42 displaces approximately 53% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Valiant 39 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.95 and 66.0 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 1990 Valiant 39 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Valiant 39 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 23.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.70). 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 1990 Valiant 39 and 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Valiant 39 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L of water capacity and 170L 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 1990 Valiant 39 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.