37′ Valiant

The Valiant Esprit 37 shares similar lines with its larger Valiant 40 stable mate, the same graceful sheer and canoe stern with perhaps a more aggressive tumblehome. The overhangs are relatively small making for a decent speed endowing LWL. Below the waterline is a cruising fin keel and skeg-hung rudder. The underside of the hull is a little flatter than the Valiant 40 which contributes to the 37 being more nimble through the tacks.

On deck the cabin trunk departs from the old boxy look of the Valiant 40 in favor of a sleek raked cabin profile. The mast is relatively tall and sports a cutter rig with a high aspect mainsail on a small boom, a design heavily influenced by IOR ocean racers of the time.

Below deck, the best words that describe the layout are well thought out and functional. There is more than adequate stowage areas for extended cruising.

Descending from the companionway, there is a very functional U-shaped galley to port and to starboard is a seagoing quarter berth with comfortably sized navigation station. Further forward to port is a L-shaped settee which can convert to a double berth, opposite is a single berth settee. The cabin table is large enough to seat 6 spaciously and stows away against a bulkhead which opens up the area nicely.

Between the main saloon and the V-berth is the head compartment to port, it has a separate shower stall running pressurized hot and cold water. Even here there are clever stowage areas including extra space below the shower seat under a waterproof access cover. The V-berth forms the master cabin and is relatively spacious with lots of drawers and a generously sized hanging locker.

Access to the engine under the companionway stairs is very good.

Like all the Valiant boats, the 37 is solidly built. The hull is uses the same hand layup as the Valiant 40 with 1.5 ounce fiberglass matt between layers of 24 ounce weave. Above the waterline lining the interior of the hull, is a half-inch layer of closed cell foam which provides acoustic and thermal insulation; this thermal barrier has the advantage of reducing condensation build up on the inside of the hull.

The deck is fiberglass with balsa coring and is solidly attached to the hull with a through-bolt join. All through-deck fittings bolted onto aluminium backing plates.

Like its larger Valiant 40 stable-mate, the 37 is remarkably fast for a boat of its relative size. They are nicely balanced boats, quick through the tack and generally very nimble. The boat’s cockpit is remarkably dry and the boat is easy to single hand.

To weather the Valiant Esprit 37 is unusually close-winded, aided by its high aspect rig with a mainsail that produces a lot of lift. Downwind some owners report the boat being a little slow because the mainsail does not swing very wide due to the location of the shrouds.

Others flying spinnakers report fantastic performance! “Wild Goose” has a beautiful, new, easily-rigged Spinnaker, marvelous red, white, and blue.

In addition to strong upwind performance another area of strength is in light airs. Perry himself has noted the 37 can be quicker than a Valiant 40 in light weather. One owner reported 115 mile days over a 22 day passage in mainly light 12 knot trade winds, their boat came in 7 days quicker than another 42ft medium displacement cruiser.

As conditions become heavy the hallmarks of Valiants come into play, the boat continues to maintain its composure delivering a comfortable motion for its crew.

• ENGINE; Beta 35 HP Diesel, four cylinder, 1200 Hrs., with Racor Duel Fuel Filters.
• SOLAR PANELS, with sturdy Stainless Steel Frame and Roofing over Cockpit
• AUTOMATIC STEERING; Monitor Automatic Wind Vane
• ELECTRIC AUTO STEERING: Alpha 3000; Brand New Internal Digital Upgrades
• SINGLE SIDE BAND RADIO, Icom M802, with KISS Antenna & Internet/Email Modem
• SATELLITE PHONE (IRIDIUM)
• WATER MAKER; Sea Quencher, Reverse Osmosis, recently rebuilt
• EMERGENCY OVERBOARD LIFERAFT; Viking “RescuYou”, 4 Man (repacked in 2019)
• FUEL TANK UPGRADE: New Steel Plating & Metal Sealant used On U.S. Space Shuttles
• WIND GENERATOR; Air Breeze
• FRIDGE: ISO Therm
• GPS/Navigation Chart Plotter: Lowrance
• RADIO: Standard Horizon VHF/AIS/With its own GPS
• WASTE DISPOSAL: Raritan Lectra Scan Type A Coast Guard Approved Unit
  Raritan Electric Toilet
• EPIRB
• LAZY JACKS: Mainsail “Single Hand” Retrieval System
• WATER HEATER: Seaward
• DC to AC CURRENT INVERTER: Kisae 1000/2000
• COMPASSES: Ritchie, One large cockpit, one small interior, three years old.
• BATTERY CHARGER, Xantex,
• FULL BOAT LENGTH CANVAS WINTER TENT. Canvas Wheel Cover. New Dodger
• PROPELLOR; Max Prop, 3 Bladed, Automatic Feathering
• RADAR; Furuno
• SPINNAKER; Flasher, A-Symmetrical, Red, White & Blue Abstract Design
• CABIN HEATER; Cozy Cabin, Propane (also upgraded recently).
• JIB AUTO FURLING: Pro-Furl
• NEW UPHOLSTRY
• NEWLY VARNISHED BELOW
• NEW BRUCE PLOW ANCHOR AND 150’ CHAIN
• SIX NEW SS PORTLIGHTS
• NEW STANDING RIGGING
• HULL NEWLY PAINTED, BOTTOM AND TOPSIDE
• NEW DINGHY: Achilles, 8 Ft. with 4 HP Mercury outboard 4-cycle, newly overhauled