The 1981 Valiant Esprit Sloop 37 is rigged as a sloop, may easily be completed as a Cutter (rigging connecting on mast is in place for it). Only a total of 50 Valiant 37s were built.
If you’re looking for a day sailor, this is not your boat. Wild Goose is an experienced ocean cruiser, with Monitor wind vane, solar, wind gen, auto-pilot, water-maker, etc. She has crossed the Atlantic and spent seasons in Mexico. She’s fast and stout, with a beautifully rounded stern.
Purchased by the current owner in 2018 for a new book project retracing the Steinbeck/Rickett’s 1940 Baja expedition, and who spent $70,000 on upgrades, including new upholstery, new interior varnish, life raft, standing rigging, satellite phone, dodger, various electronics, and a new paint job. She’s in Baja now and in great shape.
Located in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, in the gateway to the Sea of Cortez and home to dozens of gorgeous anchorages, with white sandy beaches and crystal clear warm waters and tons of sea life.
Puerto Escondido, BCS, MexicoThe 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.
Financial and titling transactions are conducted in the US or Canada by licensed agents. An offshore purchase means great savings and the process is more hassle-free than you may think! Call for details.
Length Overall: 37ft
Beam: 11.42ft
Length at Waterline: 31.58ft
Fresh Water Tank: 90 Gal
Fuel Tank: 44 Gal
Engine Make: Beta
Engine Model: 4-Cylinder
Total Power: 35hp
Engine Hours: 1200
Engine Type: Inboard
Fuel Type: Diesel
Propeller Type: 3 Blade
The Valiant Esprit 37 shares similar lines with its larger Valiant 40 stable mate, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Like its larger Valiant 40 stable-mate, 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! “Wild Goose” has a beautiful, new, easily-rigged Spinnaker, marvelous red, white, and blue.
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.
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.