So, after a great ten week cruise so far which covered some 2700 miles in winter North Atlantic conditions aboard our almost new 2008 Valiant 42 Mahalo, here is my take.

1. The Valiant 42 is one ass kicking offshore boat. She carries full sail to 20kts, drives like a freight train and rock solid and comfortable. At anchor, she’s a very comfortable home. No leaks, mechanically the thing worked.

2. The Espar failed the first night down the Bay in a snow storm. When it did work it worked great. Getting to the glow plug was a bitch for I had to take out the Spectra Catalina 300 watermaker and pull partially out the Espar to get to the plug. This was a pain in ass.

3. The Spectra Catalina 300 watermaker with a Z Brain worked incredibly well, providing 13 gallons of fresh water for every hour run. Each day, we ran the 12v Spectra 3 hours a day, and with the automatic back flush, it was a breeze.

4. The new Furuno Navnet system with the high definition 4kw 36 mile color radar was unbelievable. The C-Map Max charts are top shelf also. We all of the modules that Furuno offers; from Radar/Overlay/Upgraded GPS/Weatherfax/Navtex/Sounder/Sirius/APRA/AIS. The weatherfax is worthless because GRIB downloaded through the SSB or Iridium work better. Don’t need the APRA when you have AIS. The AIS that we have is the Furuno FA-150 Class A. It makes sailing through shipping lanes a breeze. AIS is the best thing that happened to the offshore sailor recently. And I do have admit, I like the Sirius weather module, it’s like watching the weather channel minus the cute chicks.

5. The B&G Hydra 2000 with the B&G Pilot worked flawlessly.

6. The back Northstar 6100i which feeds the B&Gs worked.

7. The Monitor windvane always works.

8. The ICOM 802 SSB is the easiest unit that I ever have used.

9. I did not have enough battery power, adding two more Group 31s Lifelines.

10. Adding a wind generator. The solar panels just couldn’t keep up. My boat is energy hungry.

11. Alpenlow lights are the best.

12. Because my boat sits heavy, sea water works its way up the galley sink drain, a check valve is being installed.

13. Using a 77lb Manson Bruce anchor backed up with 450 ft of 5/16HT G4 chain made for a good nights rest.

14. The Lighthouse windlass almost took my finger off but it was user error.

15. Half battens on the main is what I like, made reefing easy and raising/taking down the sail was easy.

Overall, I like what I got. Maybe now it’s time for a Nordhaven 55.

bernie