1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 vs 1981 Valiant 32 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 | 1981 Valiant 32 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Pacific Seacraft | Valiant |
| Year | 1990–2007 | 1981–1992 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 7.92 m (26.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 51.5 m² (554 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 28 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 and 1981 Valiant 32 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 is a 1990s design by Pacific Seacraft from USA, while the 1981 Valiant 32 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 was penned by William Crealock. The 1981 Valiant 32 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 measures 10.36m (34.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1981 Valiant 32 at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 is 0.61m longer than the 1981 Valiant 32. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 displaces approximately 17% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.26 and 51.5 m² of sail area. The 1981 Valiant 32, with an SA/D of 14.12 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 27.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1981 Valiant 32 has a comfort ratio of 24.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 42.9% for the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 and 41.7% for the 1981 Valiant 32, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1981 Valiant 32 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 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 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1990 Pacific Seacraft 34 · 1981 Valiant 32