1992 Valiant 47 vs 1978 Westsail 42 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1992 Valiant 47 | 1978 Westsail 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Westsail |
| Year | 1992–2002 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bob Perry | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 14.33 m (47.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 14,969 kg (33,001 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 92.5 m² (996 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 75 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 303 L (80.0 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1992 Valiant 47 and 1978 Westsail 42 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 1992 Valiant 47 is a 1990s design by Valiant from USA, while the 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 1992 Valiant 47 was penned by Bob Perry. The 1978 Westsail 42 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 1992 Valiant 47 measures 14.33m (47.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.09m, compared to the 1978 Westsail 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1992 Valiant 47 is 1.53m longer than the 1978 Westsail 42. The 1992 Valiant 47 displaces approximately 14% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1992 Valiant 47 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.47 and 92.5 m² of sail area. The 1978 Westsail 42, with an SA/D of 13.12 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1992 Valiant 47 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1992 Valiant 47 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 1978 Westsail 42 has a comfort ratio of 27.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 39.4% for the 1992 Valiant 47 and 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1992 Valiant 47 provides 7 berths in 3 cabins with 568L of water capacity and 303L of fuel. The 1978 Westsail 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 454L water and 227L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Westsail 42 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 1992 Valiant 47 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1992 Valiant 47 · 1978 Westsail 42