Valiant 18

[akfox]

Hi,

I have just bought a Valiant 18, so of course want to know about it.

I can't find any info about designer of manufacturer which is curious because according to sail numbers I have seen in photos at least 400 were made.

I'd like to know who designed & made it, but more important perhaps in it's displacement and how much ballast it was designed with.

Also the usual... any known problems and fixes, how does it go, etc.

Cheers,
Adrian.

 

[Lakesailor]

I had one, number 386. There were more made than 400. I think as there was a Mk11 version (it had little glovebox-like things in the cockpit sides). Mine was bilge keel and was a comfortable little boat, if not a scorching performer. Generally accepted to be a safe sea-boat with a very dry ride. Roomy cockpit. Mine leaked a lot, but it was the cabin windows which needed new rubbers and the cockpit drains were connected to skin fittings by short poly pipes in the cockpit locker which you may find need replacing and new clips.
Here is the original advert. The mention of walk-round side decks is a Trades Descriptions issue!! The manufacturers no longer exist.

 

[Judders]

Also, they don't seem to have the headsail luff problems of other 18'ers...


*dons tin hat*

 

[Achillesheel]

Jib Luff looks fine.

 

[Lakesailor]

Course it does. It's running in an aluminium foil. No room for organic reshaping there.
Except of course the usual banana shape that most headsail foils seem to adopt when hard pressed. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[maxwell edison]

Hi Adrian

I had a Valiant 18. Bought at Southampton Boat Show in 1972 and delivered in March 1973 - sail number 147.

I kept her for two years and mainly sailed in the Solent though I did go as far as Poole and Chichester. Sailed OK I seem to recall but not particularly speedy. I would think the claim regarding outpacing many other boats etc in the info Lake Sailor has given is a bit fanciful.

One potentially serious problem I experienced with mine was inadequate backing plates for the standing rigging. I still recall being in a bit of a blow and watching the shrouds slowly pulling through the deck. Mine was an early one so that could well have been sorted in yours but something to look at.

Hope you enjoy her.

Cheers

Max

 

[akfox]

Thanks all for your help... the little boat is well on the way to being renovated,

Cheers,
Adrian.

 

[Jean]

Olivers Travels

For an adventure that has just started on another Valiant 18, see http://www.olivers-travels.co.uk/ .

 

[Greemble]

Looking for more info, too

Another chap was restoring a Valiant 18 in the Thames Forum. I was hoping he might have some more info about these little boats, but I guess he's no longer active here.

Has anyone been able to locate an owner's manual or the like by any chance?

 

[Lakesailor]

You are better to start a new thread as anyone clicking on the existing one will see it is years old.
Owners manuals will be of absolutely no use, even if there was one.
When you buy a 30 year old boat you have to deal with the issues that the boat itself has.

Ask questions if you like. I'm sure people can help with solutions to current problems.

 

[Greemble]

Following on from original question

You are better to start a new thread as anyone clicking on the existing one will see it is years old.

I thought about that, but then I thought that adding onto this one saves repeating what has been already said

Anyway, more specific question, you mentioned how the coachroof can sag if the rigging is overtightened - How do I know if it's too tight?
This is the sort of thing I'd hoped the owner's manual might say, but I guess not from what you say about it. At least I know not to bother too much looking for one.

Another question is that I have an A-frame added to allow the mast to be lowered for bridges (thankfully, it's rather essential for sailing the Norfolk Broads where I'm going to be for a while) and the way it's made is that the forestay is now attached to a bowsprit and is thus about 6" forward of where it would be attached.
Would you think this makes any notable difference to the handling of the boat? Not being very experienced (only sailed dingies up to now), I'd appreciate any views on this, as well.


As an aside - Also tried to get in contact with the chap that took one around Britain for some ideas & some of the main problems he had in fixing his boat up, but he's off across the Atlantic, so might be a tad busy.

 

[Seajet]

This is from ' Boat World Guide no 2, 1973 '

The 800lbs ballast is impressive, is that right ?

 

[alahol2]

Anyway, more specific question, you mentioned how the coachroof can sag if the rigging is overtightened - How do I know if it's too tight?
This is the sort of thing I'd hoped the owner's manual might say, but I guess not from what you say about it. At least I know not to bother too much looking for one.

This gives a good basic explanation of how to set up the rigging. You need pages 34/35 from what I can see. Don't worry about getting the 'folding rule' out, just get to the stage where the leeward rigging doesn't go floppy when sailing.

 

[Lakesailor]

Moving the forestay forward really won't make much difference. The boat is a bit steady anyway and as it heels the weather helm increases until the rudder stalls. If anything that may help you a bit. It may also help with getting about and preventing the tack of the sail hanging up on the lower forward shrouds.

The ballast ratio is pretty high, with pretty heavy keels, and the boat is very comfortable on the water for an 18 foot yacht.

 

[Greemble]

I thought that might be the case with the forestay - It's not really as though it's a big or race-tuned yacht that such changes would make a huge difference, I'm guessing.

That rig tuning guide is great help, thanks.

Intrigued by the idea of an internal engine - anyone know which engine they fitted? Was the hull made a different shape for those with internal engines?

The pictures showing the spinnaker look interesting, too - not seen any like them before and don't remember seeing anywhere to attach the pole on the mast. Is that a factory optional extra or a standard fitting that I've missed?