The Valiant 47 was a follow-up to Robert Perry’s fast Valiant 40 design, which he penned back in the early 70s. Both Valiants played on the classic double-ender designs of Colin Archer and the popular Westsail 32 by William Crealock. But Perry gave the Valiants far more speed than those earlier designs by moving from a full to a fin keel, planning a robust and balanced sail plan, and making other innovations. On the heels of the Valiant 40’s success, Perry designed the 47 in 1981 and production began that same year.

Between 1981 and 1992, Valiant built 17 of the 47s. In 1992, Perry gave the Valiant 47 a makeover, adding a bowsprit, moving the mast forward just over a foot, and making some modifications to the deck plan. Valiant rechristened the boat the Valiant 50, and the first of the vessels splashed in 1993. While Perry acknowledges the Valiant 50 is a better balanced boat, he claims the Valiant 47 is a “hot rod.”

Both the Valiant 47 and 50 are excellent bluewater cruising boats, well set up for short-handed cruising. Numerous 47s have circumnavigated, including the first solo around-the-world voyage by an African American, Bill Pinkney, on Commitment, his Valiant 47. Moreover, at least two 47s have circumnavigated twice.