Valiant 32 Liveaboard/Cruiser Thoughts

[katie_gaut]

Hello all,
We are searching for boat to take cruising next June that we plan to liveaboard, cruise and work as needed through Mexico, Latin America, the Carribean and perhaps beyond. It will be two of us primarily with up to 2 more friends/family on occasion for perhaps a week at a time. We've been looking for a boat that is fairly well equipped for under 25k, or less and we will refit for a total cost in that 25k ballpark.
We are looking at this 1977 Valiant 32 in Mexico now and have read a variety of reviews and opinions on these boats. Here's our current known pros/cons. Any additions to these would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listi...url=&imc=pg-fs

Pros:

• Well built and sturdy
• Respected Bob Perry design
• Fin Keel/Skeg Rudder
• Canoe Stern

Cons:

• 1975-1981 boats were known to have bad blistering problems
• Relatively higher displacement makes her a bit slow

Thanks so much!

[bobperry]

Yep, a bit slow but very stiff.
Very strong hull and rig.
Outside ballast.

But four people for a week or maybe longer. Ugh.
I get tired of myself when I go cruising by myself.

[katie_gaut]

Wow - thanks for the reply Bob! We posted this on the Cruisers Forum too and a gentleman wrote back, ""You might ask Bob Perry himself about this boat. I once heard him say (during a presentation at Passage Yachts in the SF Bay area) that the V-32 was one design that he was not happy with. This was many years ago, and his opinion may have changed over time...." Any thoughts on this?
We love everything we've seen about the Valiant 32 and it appears to be one of the best boats for our needs in our price range. Any other other considerations in the V32 design that you've seen through the years would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

[bobperry]

Katie:
I have strong opinions and I hold my own designs to high standards. Sometimes a boat is less than what I hoped it would be in terms of performance. I think the V-32 sufferred by trying to be a mini Valiant 40. The Valiant group was determined that the V-32 have all the features of the V-40. I would have preferred a sloop rig on a boat that size.
The V-32 has a bit too much helm for me and a bowsprit has been added to a few with good results.

You should go to my web site and read about consultation.

[katie_gaut]

Thanks so very much for your response, Bob. We feel very fortunate to discuss a boat's qualities with the designer. We will certainly look into your consulting, yet with our slim budget we may be on our own. We've just found out that the V32 we were looking at was damaged in a hurricane in 2003, hence the price within our budget! So, we're still gathering more information in context of the damage and repairs made. Thanks again and we'll be watching your blog as well!

[QuickMick]

My 30' is about perfect for one, though my gal lived on her with me for the past two months and we were fine with 'personal space.' But we both love to fish/grill out/enjoy the same things so the only 'personal space' time was ehhh uhhh errrr special time if you will. though for full time live aboard w/two i would be thinking more in the 40' range... ie cheoy lee 41' offshore or morgan 38 kinda room. four four i have to say i think that a 32 would get very tight

Bob, that was your 41 cheoy offshore i had the pleasure to climb around? lots of teak, well laid out cozy cabin? that is one hell of a boat...