2000 Valiant 50 vs 1978 Westsail 42 — Comparison
2000 Valiant 50
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 2000 Valiant 50 | 1978 Westsail 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Valiant | Westsail |
| Year | 2000–2008 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Cutter |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bob Perry | William Crealock |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 15.24 m (50.0 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 4.35 m (14.3 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 16,330 kg (36,001 lbs) | 13,154 kg (29,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 102.0 m² (1,098 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Modified full | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 100 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 340 L (89.8 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 568 L (150.0 gal) | 454 L (119.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 7 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 2000 Valiant 50 and 1978 Westsail 42 represent two takes on cutter-rigged sailing. The 2000 Valiant 50 is a 2000s design by Valiant from USA, while the 1978 Westsail 42 is a 1970s offering from Westsail from USA. The 2000 Valiant 50 was penned by Bob Perry. The 1978 Westsail 42 was designed by William Crealock.
In terms of size, the 2000 Valiant 50 measures 15.24m (50.0ft) overall with a beam of 4.35m, compared to the 1978 Westsail 42 at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 2000 Valiant 50 is 2.44m longer than the 1978 Westsail 42. The 2000 Valiant 50 displaces approximately 24% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 2000 Valiant 50 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.10 and 102.0 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 2000 Valiant 50 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 2000 Valiant 50 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.69). The 1978 Westsail 42 has a comfort ratio of 27.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.65. The ballast ratios are 38.9% for the 2000 Valiant 50 and 41.4% for the 1978 Westsail 42, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 2000 Valiant 50 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 568L of water capacity and 340L 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 2000 Valiant 50 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2000 Valiant 50 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: 2000 Valiant 50 · 1978 Westsail 42