|
|
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
From: Jeff (no email)
Date: Fri Apr 13 2007 - 17:30:33 EDT
Oh my!
Well, here goes.
First off, we sailed many boats racing. We liked to sail, but
noticed that many boats people go cruising on either don't sail, or
track poorly. Many finkeelers yaw around in a quartering sea, which
makes life unpleasant at least, and dangerous if mal de mer strikes
off a lee shore.
Secondly, we wanted a boat we could afford without spending the
whole cruising kitty on a boat. We had saved a lot for cruising but
we didn't have means to spend more than $100,000 on the boat without
a longer delay to pay for the boat.
Thirdly, our boat had to have a sterling reputation as a sea
boat. We didn't particularly care what kind of boat it was, in fact
we considered many types, including center cockpit and aft cockpit,
cutters and yawls and ketches. The right boat would protect us and
forgive us our ignorances in pressing situations. It would be able
to look after itself if we were no longer capable. We did a lot of
study. We compared raw numbers, statistics, righting moments,
comfort factors, etc.
Fourthmost, we needed a boat capable of a good turn of speed
because speed is safety at sea. Getting to safe harbor is the name
of the game on a long ocean passage. We plan to relish the
experience of safe crossings, but we also recognize that the
objective is to see the great cities of the world from their
waterfronts, not endure survival conditions on the way to them.
Fifth, ergonomics in port and at sea. Handholds where they
should be, foot catches where their needed. Points to brace against
when needed. Secure low-side sea berths on port and starboard. A
rig that we each could handle alone. Secure bulwarks to keep you on
board in a gale. Secure hatches and ports to fend off a boarding
sea. Robust construction that will get us to the other side. A
flare to the forward sections to keep the boat dryer in a driving
reach. A small cockpit to reduce flooding. No windows in the
cockpit to downfill a compartment from. Secure anchor points to
clip in before leaving the gangway. A solid nav desk where a
seasick mariner can plot a course out of trouble. A wet locker near
the gangway that keeps the cabin dry. Good sumps to collect shipped
water to pump over efficiently. Adequate tankage for an ocean
crossing. No large open spaces to be thrown across in an active
seaway. Enough "ass" under the boat to make the motion gentler.
So we went shopping. We sailed 30 different boats. Some for a
day, some for a week passage or longer. And then we stepped on a
new Valiant 42 at a sailboat show. We liked it. We saw all the
things that we wanted. All the things listed above. But we still
had not sailed one.
About a year later we put a contract on one in California. We
did a sea trial on a Valiant 40 from San Pedro with VERY TIRED
sails. We sailed it out the entrance of Long Beach Harbor, sailing
upwind and down, across wind and around. Part way through the test
sail the broker's agent (Who had told us he had just bought a Harden
45 (?) said, "Wow, this boat sails REALLY well." My wife and I just
exchanged a knowing smile. In short, we had both sailed enough
boats in enough conditions to immediately recognize that this boat
was a spectacular sailer. That day we knew we had to have one.
Every other boat would have been less. Valiant went from on the
short list with the other boats I mentioned, to being the only boat
on the list.
Now a year after purchase we are still glad of our decision.
From our learned search we determined that there is no better sea
boat for a couple than a Valiant 40 cutter. Ours is one of three
centerboard models. Even the standard keel sails like a dream, the
centerboarders just a little bit higher point of sail. The sails
are all small, the miles put akeel in a day are always large.
In summary, there are many boats you can buy, but for us,
without any prejudice going into it, we found that the Valiant 40
was a choice, then a good choice, then the only choice. Any other
boat would be less than a V-40 is. My wife and I have often said
this is the last sailboat we will ever own. When we are ready to
sell it we will swallow the anchor and move on to other pursuits.
Bob Perry got it ALL RIGHT when he drew the Valiant 40. This boat,
to us, is a sweetspot of sailing magic.
Jeff & Elise Hazzard
Valiant 40 SeaSpan
|