large-cruiser

Valiant 42

Valiant Yachts · 1992–2011 · Sloop rig

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LOA42'

Beam12.75'

Draft6'

Displ.12.3t

Rigsloop

Hullfiberglass

Bluewater Evidence · Bluewater Capable

45% confidence

Doc.Documented CapableBluewater Capable ProvenOcean Proven

Built on the unchanged Valiant 40 hull, sharing its offshore pedigree and construction standard. No specific named ocean crossing or circumnavigation is documented in current sources for this model itself.

Overview

The Valiant 42 is a 1992 evolution of Bob Perry’s groundbreaking Valiant 40 design by Valiant Yachts. The boat was sold as a low volume semi-custom long distance cruiser.

The original Valiant 40 hull remained unchanged while the deck mold was updated to offer more options to the interior layout. The original Valiant 40 layout with an offset companionway was complemented by a center entry options. Berths arrangements were updated into two flavors - a large queen berth in the forward peak or a pullman style double-berth offset to port.

After gathering feedback from the Valiant 40 owner community and two decades of sailing experience, the rig was updated sporting a two foot bowsprit to bring the center of pressure further forward. There were also some small tweaks to the keel.

The Valiant 42 ceased production in 2011 when Valiant Yachts closed its doors due to an economic downturn. For a full breakdown and history check out the Valiant 40 article.

Links, References and Further Reading

» Valiant Yachts, official site, Valiant 42» Valiant Owners Yahoo Group, information, photos, records, and more

What sailing channels say about the Valiant 42, quoted from video transcripts with a link to the exact moment. Opinions belong to the speakers; the written review above stays independent of them.

discusses
Buyer's tip from the builder: "I heard from Valiant when I was talking to them about a Valiant 42: do not touch the keel bolts on our boats. They're put on with a huge breaker bar and it galls the bolt to the nut... that's the way it should be, in tension. You shouldn't be dropping the keel without a reason."
Sailing Zingaro
He's Built 400 Boats. The Cheap Used Sailboats He'd Buy in 2026
▶ watch at 25:42

recommends
Reviewing a viewer's boat's specs (16-40% ballast, D/L 310): "That reminds me of a Valiant 42, like a cheaper version of a Valiant 42. Awesome, good find, I like that boat."
Sailing Zingaro
How People ACTUALLY Make Money While Cruising (No BS) | Sailing Truth Show
▶ watch at 75:50

recommends
Walking through a friend's Valiant 42 for sale: "They don't have any wood on the outside, so it makes maintenance really easy. They also have a really good bottom profile, a lot of this boat is under the water. They're heavy, slightly full keel with a cutaway. They're double enders, but the double ender doesn't take away too much of the cockpit, you can lay down in this cockpit." He also flags the boat's roller furler boom from Leisure Furl as a downside: the previous owner "didn't like it and he got rid of it. It's not the best offshore piece of kit." On pricing: "most Valiant 42s sell around the $250 to $260,000 range, maybe 235, between what I've seen is 235 to like 265."
Sailing Zingaro
$1,000 Book Giveaway (Every 5 Minutes!) | Sailing Truth Show
▶ watch at 73:28

He's Built 400 Boats. The Cheap Used Sailboats He'd Buy in 2026

He's Built 400 Boats. The Cheap Used Sailboats He'd Buy in 2026

Sailing Zingaro

Buyer's tip from the builder: "I heard from Valiant when I was talking to them about a Valiant 42: do not touch the keel bolts on our boats. They're put on with a huge breaker bar and it galls the bolt to the nut... that's the way it should be, in tension. You shouldn't be dropping the keel without a reason."

How People ACTUALLY Make Money While Cruising (No BS) | Sailing Truth Show

How People ACTUALLY Make Money While Cruising (No BS) | Sailing Truth Show

Sailing Zingaro

Reviewing a viewer's boat's specs (16-40% ballast, D/L 310): "That reminds me of a Valiant 42, like a cheaper version of a Valiant 42. Awesome, good find, I like that boat."

$1,000 Book Giveaway (Every 5 Minutes!) | Sailing Truth Show

$1,000 Book Giveaway (Every 5 Minutes!) | Sailing Truth Show

Sailing Zingaro

Walking through a friend's Valiant 42 for sale: "They don't have any wood on the outside, so it makes maintenance really easy. They also have a really good bottom profile, a lot of this boat is under the water. They're heavy, slightly full keel with a cutaway. They're double enders, but the double ender doesn't take away too much of the cockpit, you can lay down in this cockpit." He also flags the boat's roller furler boom from Leisure Furl as a downside: the previous owner "didn't like it and he got rid of it. It's not the best offshore piece of kit." On pricing: "most Valiant 42s sell around the $250 to $260,000 range, maybe 235, between what I've seen is 235 to like 265."

[1]Reviewbluewaterboats.org

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