CS36T or Vailiant 37

[castoff]

I Have these two boats on my short list for offshore cruising with my wife. Have seen both but sailed neither. Any thoughts on how they might compare?

[Sailormann]

The Valiant is designed and built for offshore cruising.

The CS (while a great, well-built boat) is not. It is a coastal cruiser, a very good one, and while some passages have been made in them, you will find that the Valiant is better able to carry stores and deal with following seas.

It might be a good idea to ask for some specific information on the respective owners' sites. I haven't been on the Valiant site, but the CS Owners Association group on Yahoo is very active and has a great archive.

A final thought .... A CS36T in good condition should be selling in the neighbourhood of 60 to 90 thousand, depending on how good the condition is. A Valiant in comparable condition should be well over 100 thousand, so if the boats you are considering are in the same prce range, there may be some serious issues with the Valiant...

[bestfriend]

They are very different boats, it depends on what your tastes are and what you plan to do. Sailormann and I both own CS, and we agree that they have limitations in the offshore catagory. They are well built boats, but not specifically designed for ocean passages, even though quite a few have made it. You won't see the hull flexing like you might on other production boats pounding in rough seas, but long term beatings will wear it down faster than A Valiant. Valiant, on the other hand, is designed to be out there in the thick of it.

[castoff]

Thanks Sailormann/Bestfriend your comments are greatly appreciated.

[chris_gee]

The valiant is designed as a fast cruiser. I would prefer bigger bulwarks for offshore cruising.

[svsirius]

No brainer for offshore Valiant. If you can afford it try and find a 40 the extra length and cost are well worth it.