The Valiant 50 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Valiant 50, an aft-cockpit cutter, was designed by Bob Perry and built in the USA by Valiant Yachts. The addition of the bowsprit distinguishes the 50 from the Valiant 47.

A Valiant 50

Published Specification for the Valiant 50

Underwater Profile: Fin keel with skeg-hung rudder

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 50'8" (15.4m)

Waterline Length: 40'3" (12.3m)

Beam: 13'10" (4.2m)

Draft: 6'3" (1.9m)

Rig Type: Cutter

Displacement: 35,550lb (16,125kg)

Designer: Robert Perry

Builder: Valiant Yachts (US)

Year First Built: 1997

Year Last Built: 2011

Published Design Ratios for the Valiant 50

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.3

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 30.9

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 243

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 38.3

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.9

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Valiant 50

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 14.3 suggests that the Valiant 50 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 30.9 means that a sailboat like the Valiant 50 (which doesn't have its ballast concentrated in a bulb at the foot of a deep keel), is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 243, tells us the Valiant 50 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 38.3 suggests that crew comfort of a Valiant 50 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.9 tells us that a Valiant 50 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.