Valiant Esprit Sail Boat

Description

Laissez Faire is one of the popular Valiant-built 37' Esprit Sloops which were designed by Bob Perry as the ultimate 37' offshore vessel, combining quality of construction, with an efficient deck and interior layout, offering safety at sea, all the while delivering on performance.

This vessel is a one-boat-owner boat, rare, given her age. She was purchased new by the current owner and has been lovingly maintained and adventurously sailed for over 35 years by the same owners.

The cabin was completely renovated in 2003, keeping the integrity of the all teak interior, sanded and varnished to a medium-gloss shine. The renovations included all new cabin and cockpit cushions, a new V berth mattress, all new white All Grip ceiling panels, and all counter tops/tabletop refinished with All Grip paint. In 2008 the cabin sole was completely replaced and varnished to a high-gloss shine. The renovations have brightened the interior while maintaining the traditional look of this upscale sailing vessel.

The hull was repainted dark navy in 2007 and carries a high-luster shine, complemented by the ‘racing-red’ cove and boot stripes. The exterior canvas, all navy Sunbrella, has been rebuilt or replaced. In 2016 new isinglass panels were built with covers that protect the isinglass when not under sail. The cockpit has full isinglass enclose panels with changeable mosquito netting panels.

The Valiant Esprit 37 when first introduced by Valiant Yachts in 1977 was built by a company called Nordic and designed by the famous boat designer, Bob Perry, who drew on the same magic Valiant 40 formula and applied it to a 37’ hull; this time sporting a sleeker cabin trunk and a brighter interior. In total 50 Valiant Esprit 37s were built. The boat draws much from its larger stablemate, the legendary Valiant 40, and owners of Valiant Esprit 37s have reported brisk and nimble go-anywhere performance, a sea-kindly ride, and an interior that is well thought out.

Boat Configuration and Layout

The Valiant Esprit 37 sports a graceful sheer and canoe stern with an 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 was designed flatter than other sailing vessels which contributes to the Valiant Esprit 37 being more nimble through the tacks.

On deck the cabin trunk has a sleek profile. The decks and cockpit surfaces are all installed with heavy duty non-skid. The mast is manageable at 55’ and has a sloop rig (with option of converting to a cutter rig), with a high aspect mainsail on a small boom, a design heavily influenced by IOR ocean racers. All control lines are routed back to the safety and comfort of the cockpit.

Below deck, the best words that describe the layout are well thought out and functional, installed with air conditioning throughout. There are more than adequate stowage areas for extended cruising. Descending from the companionway, there is a very functional U-shaped galley to port, equipped with a propane stove and oven, and a refrigeration unit installed in the ice box. To starboard is a seagoing quarter berth with comfortably sized navigation station. Further forward to port is an 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 the bulkhead which opens up that area nicely.

Between the main saloon and the V-berth is the head compartment to port, it has a separate shower stall with running pressurized hot and cold water. There is a shower curtain that snaps to the shower frame to keep water contained in the shower. The shower has a spacious platform seat. The V-berth forms the master cabin and is spacious with lots of drawers a generously sized hanging locker, and fiddled shelves on both port and starboard sides.

The engine, a 30hp Westerbeke diesel, is easily accessed under the companionway stairs.

Boat Electronics and Instruments

The boat is equipped with two 85-watt solar panels, along with a Link 2000 inverter, an Interphase forward looking depth sounder, Garmin 182C with charts, boat depth sounder, wind speed, boat speed, and direction.

Construction

Like all the Valiant boats, the Valiant Esprit 37 is solidly built. The hull uses a hand layup 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 aluminum backing plates. The rigging is all high-performance rod rigging.

Under Sail

Like its larger Valiant 40 stablemate, the Valiant Esprit 37 is remarkably fast for a boat of its size. It is a nicely balanced boat, quick through the tack and generally very nimble. The boat’s cockpit stays remarkably dry, even heeled over in rough seas, due to its high cockpit combing. The design of the cockpit, with all control lines routed back to the safety and comfort of the cockpit, makes it easy to single hand this vessel.

The sails equipped on Laissez Faire are:

•Mainsail – with a Lazy Jack system which allows for easy raising and lowering

• Headsail – 150% Genoa

• Cruising Spinnaker

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. When flying the spinnaker, this owner reports fantastic performance. In addition to strong upwind performance another area of strength is in light airs. Bob Perry himself has noted the Valiant Esprit 37 can be quicker than a Valiant 40 in light winds.

As conditions become heavy the hallmarks of the Valiant Esprit 37 come into play, the boat continues to maintain its composure delivering a comfortable motion for its crew.

At Anchor

The boat is equipped with three anchors installed with 100’ of chain on the main anchor.

· Main anchors – two 35# Deltas (one is a spare)

· Second anchor – Fortress

Specifications

LOA: 37′ 0″

Beam: 11′ 6″

Draft Std: 5′ 9″

Displacement: 17,000 lbs

Ballast: 6,600 lbs

Sail Area: 667 sq ft

Water: 100 US. Gal. (340 l.)

Fuel: 40 US. Gal. (166 l.)

Engine: Westerbeke 30 hp diesel

Designer: Robert H. Perry

Builder: Nordic Yachts

Valiant Description and History:

http://bluewaterboats.org/valiant-esprit-37/