Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Jeanneau | Valiant |
| Year | 2019 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Philippe Briand | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.20 m (46.6 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 13.00 m (42.7 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 2.20 m (7.2 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 11,500 kg (25,353 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 57 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 400 L (105.7 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 12 | 6 |
| Cabins | 4 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is a modern design by Jeanneau from France, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 was penned by Philippe Briand. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 measures 14.20m (46.6ft) overall with a beam of 4.49m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 is 2.92m longer than the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 displaces approximately 58% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.55 and 88.0 m² of sail area. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 13.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 27.8% for the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 provides 12 berths in 4 cabins with 400L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L 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 Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: Jeanneau Sun Loft 47 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37