esprit 37 sailboat

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• Sailboat Guide

Valiant Esprit 37

Valiant Esprit 37 is a 37 ′ 0 ″ / 11.3 m monohull sailboat designed by Robert Perry and built by Uniflite Inc., Nordic Yachts, and Valiant Yachts starting in 1977.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

From BlueWaterBoats.org :

The Valiant Esprit 37 is a boat of many names, literally. When first introduced as the “Esprit 37” by Valiant Yachts in 1977 she was built by a company called Nordic so some called her the Nordic Esprit 37. Later when Valiant changed hands to Uniflite, she was rechristened the “Valiant 37”, and over time and another change of Valiant ownership, the boat evolved into the Valiant 39 with the addition of a bowsprit that gave it two extra feet of length. Names aside, the boat draws much from its larger stablemate, the now almost legendary Valiant 40 , and certainly owners of Valiant Esprit 37s have reported brisk and nimble go-anywhere performance, a seakindly ride, and an interior that is well thought out.

In 1976, three years on from the incredibly successful launch of the Valiant 40, Valiant Yachts was on the lookout for two smaller yachts to diversify their offerings. The Valiant Esprit 37 was to be one of these boats. The company once again used the genius of Bob Perry, who drew on the same magic Valiant 40 formula and applied it to a 37ft hull; this time sporting a sleeker cabin trunk and a brighter interior.

To build the boat, Valiant opted not to go with Uniflite who at the time were producing the Valiant 40, instead Valiant chose a new company with strong ties to Uniflite; a company called Nordic Yachts. It was headed up by Steve Nordvelt who had worked in the contracts department of Uniflite and also happened to be the son of of the original founder of Uniflite.

The boat was introduced in 1977 and sold by Valiant Yachts in that time as the “Esprit 37”, however you can sometimes boats improperly marked as “Nordic Esprit” 37s in used boat listings.

Around 1980, Uniflite acquired Valiant and production of the Esprit 37 was moved to the Uniflite factory and the boat was re-dubbed the “Valiant 37”. The Valiant 37s built during the Uniflite era were hampered by the same non-osmotic blistering issues that plagued the Valiant 40s; blistering above and below the waterline, usually cosmetic in nature. The blistering was caused by the use of a fire retardant resin called Hetron interacting with the glass fiber layup.

It wasn’t until some time around 1982-84 that this problem was permanently solved by the use of isophthalic resin. By this time, Valiant was again under new ownership and production shifted from Seattle, Washington to Texas. The Valiant 37 eventually evolved into the Valiant 39, with new a deck molding; the sleek cabin trunk giving way to a boxy one better matching the Valiant 40/42 as well as a revised interior layout. Perhaps more prominently, the 39 had its rig was redesigned to include a 2ft bowsprit which gives the boat 2ft of additional LOA.

In total 50 Valiant 37s were built, as of 2000 the registrar at valiant-owners.org list five Valiant 39s.

Boat Configuration and Layout

The Valiant Esprit 37 shares similar lines with its larger Valiant 40 stablemate, the same graceful sheer and canoe stern with perhaps a more 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 is a little flatter than the Valiant 40 which contributes to the 37 being more nimble through the tacks.

On deck the cabin trunk departs from the old boxy look of the Valiant 40 in favor of a sleek raked cabin profile. The mast is relatively tall and sports a cutter rig with a high aspect mainsail on a small boom, a design heavily influenced by IOR ocean racers of the time. The shrouds come quite far aft which unfortunately inhibits the boom from swinging wide to catch downwind air effectively. 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. There is more than adequate stowage areas for extended cruising. Descending from the companionway, there is a very functional U-shaped galley to port and to starboard is a seagoing quarter berth with comfortably sized navigation station. Further forward to port is a 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 a bulkhead which opens up the area nicely, however the keel stepped mast does intrude slightly into this area.

Between the main saloon and the V-berth is the head compartment to port, it has a separate shower stall running pressurized hot and cold water. Even here there are clever stowage areas including extra space below the shower seat under a waterproof access cover. The V-berth forms the master cabin and is relatively spacious with lots of drawers and a generously sized hanging locker.

Access to the engine under the companionway stairs is very good.  The 37 comes standard with a 30hp Westerbeke diesel, while the newer 39 has a 35hp. Owner Steve Long notes the  30hp Weterbekes are only “30hp @3000RPM” in the first hour after which they are supposed to be run at a maximum of 2500 RPM delivering 25hp. Many owners have repowered with Beta 37.5 hp engines which provide a more useful amount of power.

Construction

Like all the Valiant boats, the 37 is solidly built. The hull is uses the same  hand layup as the Valiant 40 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 aluminium backing plates.

Owners report that the Nordic built boats vary slightly between boat to boat, such as the location of the bulkhead in the V-berth.

Early boats used stainless wire rigging while later boats had the option for high performance rod rigging.

Like its larger Valiant 40 stablemate, the 37 is remarkably fast for a boat of its relative size.  They are nicely balanced boats, quick through the tack and generally very nimble. The boat’s cockpit is remarkably dry and the boat is easy to single hand.

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. Downwind some owners report the boat being a little slow because the mainsail does not swing very wide due to the location of the shrouds. Others flying spinnakers report fantastic performance.

In addition to strong upwind performance another area of strength is in light airs. Perry himself has noted the 37 can be quicker than a Valiant 40 in light weather. One owner reported 115 mile days over a 22 day passage in mainly light 12 knot trade winds, their boat came in 7 days quicker than another 42ft medium displacement cruiser.

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

Buyers Notes

• The Uniflite built “Valiant 37” suffers from the same non-osmotic blister problems as the Valiant 40. It is believed the hulls affected are Uniflite boats of around 1980-82. Later boats, most likely, 1982-84 onwards, switched to isophthalic resin which are immune from non-osmotic blistering. Early boats built by Nordic are also unaffected.
• Earlier boats had weak chainplates, check for leaks and signs of delamination around these areas.
• The aluminum fuel tanks have not aged well and should be checked for signs of leaking. Some boats also have aluminum water tanks, check these closely as well.
• Some boats have rod rigging, in which case it may pay to call in a rigger to inspect for stress cracks.
• Check the engine installation; some boats have substituted larger more useful engines, however on some installations the companionway has been moved forward resulting less cabin space.

As of 2010, at the time of writing, there a not many Valiant Esprit 37 / Valiant 39s on offer. Asking price for 37s range from $80k-$170k depending on year and condition and there is a 1997 Valiant 39 asking $189k.

Links, References and Further Reading

» Valiant Yachts official site, Valiant 37 information » Valiant Owners Association » Cruising World Magazine, Valiant 39 review . » Yahoo Groups, Valiant Sailboat Owners Group

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One important thing to know about the Esprit/Valiant 37 is that Bob Perry “drew the boat for myself. It’s the boat I wanted.” He owned hull number 1,  Ricky Nelson , for three years on Puget Sound. On the heels of the Valiant 40, the Esprit quickly established a reputation as a good all-around performer and a seaworthy passagemaker.

Thistle , hull number 136, is proof of that offshore capability. The owners have sailed it from the Pacific Northwest to New Zealand and back, plus two round trip circumnavigations of Moresby Island in the Queen Charlottes (Haida Gwaii) combined with three full circumnavigations of Vancouver Island.  Thistle  is equipped for offshore with self-steering gear, solar panel, and an intermediate stay with runners, among a full complement of cruising gear.

The boat spent its early life in Maine. When the current owners bought it in 1993, they shipped it to the Valiant factory in Texas, where builder and Valiant Yachts  owner Rich Worstell oversaw a refit, bringing it up to the current standards. It was then shipped to the Pacific Northwest.

Thistle ’s proven its voyaging capability, is well maintained, and is equipped to do it again.

Interior Accommodations

Because Bob Perry designed it for himself, two of the interior highlights are 6’7” headroom and a spacious galley. The quality interior joinery provides a warm and comfortable feel. Lockers and floorboards are all securely fastened for comfort at sea.

Starting forward, the V-berth features 6’8” berths with a seat between that serves as a good step-up point. The hull sides throughout the boat are lined with teak. Shelves are to port and starboard with removable rails. There is a locker with shelves to starboard and a hanging locker just aft of it. To port there are four drawers, providing plenty of storage for personal gear.

Moving aft to port, the head has a separate shower stall with a seat, rare for a boat of this size and vintage. The keel-stepped mast nestles unobtrusively next to the fold-down table.

The main salon features and L-shaped dinette to port, plus cabinetry and a settee to starboard. For extra accessible storage space during passagemaking,  Thistle  has a divider that holds gear inside the “L.” There are hinged leeboards both to port and starboard, laying flat under the cushions when not being used.  Lockers line both hull sides.

The U-shaped galley is to port, with generous storage in lockers for dishes and dry goods. An approximately 10 cubic foot icebox is on the aft side of the galley, while the sink and dry goods lockers are on the forward side. Every inch of spaced is used, including three drawers facing inboard and a small locker tucked in the aft outboard corner of the galley. The navigation station is to starboard along with the 6’5” quarter berth

Wallas 30 Dt diesel heater, forced airducts in V-berth and main salon

Gas Systems Regal 2 4-burner gimbaled propane stove with oven

(13) Marinebeam LED interior red/white dome lights

PYI floor anchors for 6 cabin sole bilge-access boards

Hinged teak leeboards in settee berths and quarter berth, canvas lee cloths in V-berth-port, starboard, and centerline

Salt water foot pump in galley

Fresh water foot pumps in galley and head

Icebox (10 cu. ft.) drains to bilge

(12) teak retaining fiddles for shelves and other storage

130 gallons fresh water in 2 stainless tanks, 65-gallons each, with removable inspection ports.

Double galley sinks

Seagull IV fresh water filter in galley

Pressure water to head, shower, and galley with accumulator tank

Raritan PHII head with 20-gallon holding tank and Y-valve

6-gallon hot water heater (engine or shore power)

Separate shower stall in head

Shower sump pump discharge over board with strainer

Salt water washdown pump with deck hose access

50-foot fresh water hose

20-lb propane tank in cockpit lazarette with overboard drain

Xintex S2-A propane detector/solenoid access panel in galley

(3) Fixed mount bilge pumps(3), all with separate through hull discharges (no T- junctions)

Rule 2000 electric bilge pump with float switch

One manual bilge pump in cabin

Electronics and Navigation

Autohelm ST5000 autopilot integrated with Sea-Talk navigation instruments

Raynav 300 GPS master unit at chart table

Raynav ST 60 multi-data, wind, depth and speed

Raynav ST 60 autopilot control mounted in pedestal pod

Standard Horizon GX-2100 VHF fixed mount with AIS at navigation station

West Marine submersible handheld VHF radio

Electrical Systems

Two 60-amp Volvo alternators

(4) Odyssey12-volt AGM batteries, Group 31(100AH each) in two banks, with meters

Original Sam Dick Industries electrical panel with 18 DC circuits and 7 AC circuits

Cole-Hersee battery bank selector switch

Protech 1240i Plus AC battery charger

120-watt solar panel welded to dodger top, with charging voltage regulator 200-watt Whisper inverter

Cigarette lighter DC plugs in cockpit and navigationstation

Guest model 260 12-volt searchlight

30-amp SmartPlug AC inlet in cockpit with galvanic isolator

50’ shore power cord

Extension cord and shore power adapters

Mechanical Systems

Volvo MD 2040 D 40hp diesel with 1347 hours (repowered 2005)

Volvo 130-S-A saildrive, 2.47:1 reduction Maxprop18″ 3-blade MaxProp feathering prop(18x11L) (2005)

(2) Racor 500 FGSS primary fuel filters in parallel

Vetus water lift muffler

H2 Out fuel tank vent line filter

Engine compartment blower

Engine spares including filters, belts, impeller et. al.

Spare hull, shaft, and prop zincs

36-gallon aluminum fuel tank with 6″ removable access port and companionway gauge

Enclosed storage space for 16 5-gallon jerry jugs secured below decks

Deck and Hull

The hull is solid, hand-laid glass and the deck is balsa-cored for lightness and strength. While osmotic blistering has been a problem in some of these boats,  Thistle ’s hull was refurbished at the Texas factory in 1993 and then peeled and re-glassed at Northwest Marine Center in 2020.

The deck was fitted with Vetus “Happy Elephant” nonskid in 2016.The side decks are wide and easy to move around on. There are genoa tracks on the side decks and on the cabintop for smaller headsails. The cockpit is comfortable and secure for offshore passages.

CapeHorn wind vane self-steering system with spares

Edson pedestal chain/cable quadrant steering

Yacht Specialties 36” wheel

Emergency tiller with pedestal clearanceRitchieGlobemaster5″binnaclecompass

(2) Lewmar Ocean Series hatches

(6) Hood custom opening ports

(4) Diamond Sea Glaze cabin windows

(4) Dorade deck vents and caps

Original teak companionway boards

Heavy ¾” plexiglass offshore companionway boards

(9) mosquito screens

Vetus “Happy Elephant” nonskid tread on deck

Artful Dodger frame and Sunbrella dodger, canvas replaced

Detachable cockpit awning, zips to aft edge of dodger

Sunbrella mainsail cover and staysail bag

Manual bilge pump in cockpit

Simpson Lawrence 555 Seatiger two-speed manual windlass

CQR 45-lb plow anchor with swivel

275 feet 5/16″ HT G4 chain in forepeak locker beneath windlass

Nylon three-strand snubber

300 feet 5/8″braided nylon rode

150 feet ½” nylon three strand with 20 feet ¼” chain Fortress FX-16 anchor and swivel

Spare anchor shackles and swivels

Sails and Rigging

The single spreader Spartech mast is extremely well stayed, and has an intermediate forestay and runners for utilizing a double headstay rig or small storm sail when conditions demand. The Tides mainsail track combined with Harken Battcars slide make hoisting and dropping the mainsail a smooth operation. The Haase sails remain in good condition.

Spartech mast & boom

Navtec rod rigging, except 1×19 wire headstay

Harken mechanical backstay adjuster (winch handle fitting)

Mast has separate trysail track to starboard

Inner forestay with pelican hook and tension adjuster

Running backstays with 2 padeye positions on each side deck

Telescoping whisker pole mounted on mast track

Steaming light

Masthead tricolor light

Anchor light

Tides Marine mainsail track system with Harken Battcars

Mid-deck Lewmar traveler with mainsheet and control lines to cockpit

Mainsail reefing lines and winch at the mast

(4) Preventers, two mid-boom to rail and two boom end to stem

Yacht Tech solid boom vang

(2) Andersen 52ST primary winches,

Lewmar 40ST on mast

Lewmar 40 on mast

(2) Barient 21 on cabintop

Barient 23 on cabintop

Lewmar 14 ST for furling line.

(5) winch handles

(4) Harken and Schaeffer snatchblocks

Rigging spares including sail repair kit and replacement stay

Hasse (Port Townsend Sails) fully battened main

Hasse 120% jib

Schaeffer 2100 roller furler

Hasse asymmetric spinnaker with ATN “Snuffer” sleeve (not currently aboard)

Schattauer storm trysail (not currently aboard) with wire tack pennant sheeting to quarters with boom and dodger clearance, on separate mast track

Mariner staysail ,pistonhanks, sheeted to cockpit (currently not aboard)

Lazy jacks on mainsail

Miscellaneous and Safety

Flares and emergency smoke signals

LifeSling Horseshoe buoy

(4) adult life vests

Folding stainless boarding ladder (mountseitherside)

Emergency rope ladder, rail mount

Davis radar reflector on spreader halyard

Halon fire extinguisher in engine compartment

(3) Conventional fire extinguishers

Carbon monoxide alarm

Smoke alarm

(2) handheld bilge pumps

Dyer dinghy 7’11” “Midget” with 2 pairs of oars and sailing rig

Folding grapnel anchor for dinghy

(2) Necky Manitou11-foot kayaks and paddles (not currently on board)

(8) fenders

(8) docklines

West Marine Bosun’s chair

(8) 5-gallon fuel jerry cans, fitted to specific storage areas

West Marine fuel funnel filter

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.