S/V Sassy Sonja is a Galveston based 1982 Valiant For Sale By Broker. Responses to inquiries may come from a broker who is representing the owner as a fiduciary. This owner requires financial settlement only. No trades.
Robert Perry’s genius for designing cruising sailboats is evident in the Valiant 47′, which is one of his most respected projects. Her load-carrying capability is excellent and she is fast.
The owners of “SASSY SONJA” are motivated and moving to Ecuador and thus “SASSY SONJA” has been priced to expedite a swift sale and is docked conveniently near Galveston, Texas and can be inspected at any time. The owner logs all major maintenance in the boat’s log, which is available when inspecting “SASSY SONJA”.
If the vision of a purposeful, bluewater double ender comes to mind when you are dreaming of other latitudes, a tropical island, or the lure of a sheltered anchorage by a hidden beach; if you are looking for a real, honest-to-goodness, no-nonsense liveaboard cruising yacht, then you must take time to fully evaluate “SASSY SONJA”. “SASSY SONJA” has only had four owners and is one of fewer than 17 Valiant 47s to have been built.
If you are still undecided, come and have an onboard look at this Robert Perry designed double ender. Not until you step aboard do you realize just how agreeable a yacht can be: easy to work or play on, with fantastic storage for a yacht of this size, an excellent liveaboard-passagemaking yacht easily managed by a couple that will keep you safe, dry and take you wherever you may dream. She has shippy lines, including a sweet double end and a safe, comfortable and accommodating cockpit. Step below and the interior impresses you with traditional elements and timeless qualities available to the cruising enthusiast.
“SASSY SONJA” is the perfect boat for the cruising couple with less than $150,000 to spend, and you will not find a better prepared example of a double-ended passagemaker in this size range at this extremely attractive price, designed purpose-ready for you at an incredible value.
This well-kept, fourth-owner yacht is “correct” from the top of her cutter rig to the bottom of her cruising keel, equipped and outfitted as a circumnavigator, easily maintained and sailed by two people.
This sturdy double ender boasts both seaworthiness and ample interior space and offers steady and comfortable cruising. Below the waterline, the hull incorporates a fine entry with a long cutaway forefoot followed by a skeg-hung rudder. Comprehensively equipped, she is ready to take you on the voyage of a lifetime.
The more you know about what goes into the creation of a great cruising boat, the more you will appreciate this one. Give the listing broker a call today to discuss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a world-renowned, turnkey, non-blister world cruiser!
Valiant 47s have circumnavigated the globe, including a sister ship that completed two solo circumnavigations, one of them non-stop, a feat that few production yachts have ever accomplished. Known by world-class sailors as an amazing and remarkable vessel, the Valiant 47 gained fame when in 1990 William Pinkney (Capt. Bill Pinkney) solo circumnavigated, becoming the fourth person to sail solo around the world aboard a Valiant 47, his boat being named “COMMITMENT.”
“SASSY SONJA” is easy to single-hand, making it ideal for couples. With its fin keel and long forefoot, it tracks straight and is easily steered by autopilot or wind vane steering. The long forefoot also ensures smooth tacking through the wind.
Designer Robert Perry praised the Valiant 47’s sharp entry and preferred it over the 42 for this reason.
Below decks, this beautiful boat sleeps up to six people in accommodations with the V-berth, main salon and aft captain’s quarters. Like all Valiants, the main salon settees and the aft captain’s quarters make excellent offshore sleeping quarters. The interior of the Valiant 47 is dry and comfortable.
Accommodations are well planned for comfortable voyaging and are perfectly suited for a couple living aboard.
Videos
Specifications
| Name | S/V Sassy Sonja |
| Make | Valiant |
| Year | 1982 |
| Type | Monohull Sailboat |
| Builder | Valiant Yachts |
| Designer | Robert Perry |
| Construction | Fiberglass |
| Cabins | 3 |
| Heads | 2 |
Dimensions
| Loa | 47 |
| Lwl | 40'3" |
| Beam | 13'10" |
| Headroom | 6'6" |
| Draft | 6'3" |
Tankage
| Water Tanks | 180 |
| Holding Tanks | 130 |
Performance
| Engines | Westerbeke 58hp |
| Engine Hours | 2735 |
| Displacement | 30000 |
Layout Diagram
Inventory
Construction
- Hull: one-piece hand-laid fiberglass in female mold with alternating woven roving and chopped strand mat in premium resin
- Keel: cruising-proven modified fin keel
- Rudder: full skeg-supported rudder
- Stern: rounded canoe stern
- Deck: female-molded with balsa core; solid fiberglass in high-stress areas (winch bases)
- Hull-to-deck joint: raised bulwark, teak cap rail, stainless steel bolts and 5200 sealant
- Exterior finish: topsides unobstructed deck and cabin top, 3/4-length teak rub strake
- Insulation: closed-cell foam behind ceilings from below waterline to sheer to prevent condensation; sound/thermal insulation in engine compartment
- Deck hardware mounting: reinforced solid fiberglass in high stress areas
- Safety deck features: raised bulwarks, premium nonskid, full-length cabintop handrails, double bow and stern rails, double lifelines
- Interior structure: solid marine plywood bulkheads bonded to hull sides
- Dorade boxes: 4 teak dorade boxes with covers refinished with Cetol
- Teak and holly cabin sole refinished 2015
Accommodations
- Layout: tri-cabin layout — forward cabin, center salon, aft master/crew cabin; each stateroom with adjoining head and separate shower
- Headroom: salon 6'6" and approximately 6'4" elsewhere
- Forward stateroom: full-beam forward V-berth queen centerline, changing seat, hanging locker with shelves to port, guest head with stall shower to starboard (also day head with salon access), 2 opening ports, large overhead hatch
- Salon: full-beam salon with straight bench settee starboard, L-shaped settee port, twin drop-leaf centerline dining table (seats 4–6), bookshelves, lockers, storage under settees, lee cloths on settees
- Master/Captain’s stateroom (to port, aft of galley): large double Pullman-style berth, drawers below, lockers inboard beneath companionway, ensuite head with separate shower, molded seat, vanity and storage, private access from berth
- Ventilation and light: 13 opening cabin trunk ports, 6 opening deck hatches (Lexan replaced), 4 dorade ventilators, multiple opening hatches and ports in cabins and salon
- Climate control: Dometic MarineAir 16,000 BTU reverse-cycle A/C-heat pump with ducts in salon and V-berth (V-berth can be turned off)
- Fans and lighting: four 12V fans aboard, cabin lights mostly LED with some incandescent/halogen/fluorescent, brass bulkhead reading lights
- Entertainment: Samsung 19" flat screen TV (2011), West Marine 7000 Series stereo/CD (2014)
- Storage: ample lockers and dedicated pantry/tool/wet lockers, large custom storage area behind companionway with shelf, access to battery storage and electrical compartment under cockpit
Salon
- Seating: straight bench settee starboard, L-shaped settee port; settees convert to berths
- Dining: twin centerline drop-leaf table, seating for 4–6 with both leaves
- Upholstery: settee upholstery sea-foam blue, replaced 2011
- Flooring: teak and holly sole throughout (refinished 2015)
- Navigation station location: forward-facing nav station to starboard adjacent to companionway
- Lighting and ventilation: large opening hatch overhead, 4 opening ports, multiple overhead lights, four 12V fans
- Entertainment and A/C: 19" flat screen TV, stereo system, Dometic 16k BTU A/C heat pump with ducting to salon
Galley
- Configuration: U-shaped, offshore-safe layout for two cooks
- Countertops: Antique White Formica
- Sinks: double stainless steel sinks on centerline with mixing faucet and spray nozzle
- Refrigeration/freezer: top-loading refrigeration and freezer chests; Technautics 12V refrigeration and freezer; refrigeration compressor replaced 2014
- Stove/oven: Dickinson 3-burner gimbaled stainless steel propane stove with oven and broiler; S.S. safety bar across stove recess; pan/tray drawer under stove recess
- Propane: propane solenoid fuel shutoff; two 20-gallon aluminum propane tanks recertified 2024 and 2025 in lazarettes with venting; solenoid and pressure gauge
- Hot water: Kuuma 6-gallon hot water heater (listed 2025)
- Storage: custom over-the-counter cabinetry, large dry storage locker (~9 cu ft), custom silverware drawer, pan storage locker under stove, 4 large drawers, multiple outboard lockers and cabinets, lots of storage and dish storage
- Appliances/accessories: slide-out trash bin, under-cabinet lighting, 1 large opening overhead hatch, 2 opening ports, 1 12V galley fan
Cockpit
- Layout and seating: roomy cockpit with contoured seats, deep coaming backrests, comfortable helmsman’s seat, lift-top seats with cavernous lazarettes underneath
- Winches and controls: appropriately sized winches (see rigging section), control lines led to cockpit for single-handed sailing
- Canopy/coverings: blue dodger on 2 stainless bows with isinglass panel, blue bimini on 3 stainless bows, full-length custom deck awning in two pieces, connector panel between dodger and bimini, filler piece for dodger/bimini
- Covers and cushions: blue mainsail cover (2023), white cockpit closed-cell cushions (2024), cockpit cushions (2024)
- Table and companionway: teak folding cockpit table with glass holder, teak companionway hatch boards
- Hardware and amenities: stainless steel destroyer steering wheel with cord wrap at binnacle and binnacle cover, teak cockpit drains, large cockpit drains, cockpit cold freshwater shower, Magma propane BBQ on stern rail
- Lazarettes and storage: deep cockpit lockers, propane tanks stored in port and starboard cockpit lockers, large cockpit drains
- Additional: three winch handles, dodger with aft & side grab rails and new canvas (2023), monitor wind vane self-steering (2022), engine lifting crane on stern rail
Electronics
- Chartplotters: Garmin 4208 chartplotter at nav station (2010), Garmin 4210 chartplotter at helm (2014)
- Radar: Garmin radar installed (2014)
- Instruments: Garmin wind, speed & depth instruments at nav station and helm (2018); redundant B&G depth sounder with displays at nav station and helm
- Communication: Icom 502 VHF; Icom 802 SSB radio and tuner
- AIS: AIS transponder interfaced with Garmin at helm and nav station (2019)
- Autopilot: Alpha 3000 autopilot (2010)
- Emergency and safety electronics: ACR EPIRB (2010)
- Compasses: Danforth Constellation 5" compass at helm; Ritchie 3" compass at nav station
- Entertainment electronics: Samsung 19" TV wired to West Marine speaker system (2011); West Marine 7000 Series stereo/CD player & speakers (2014)
Electrical
- Generator: Fischer Panda 4 kW generator installed 2014 with 563 hours (primary use battery charging when main engine, solar & wind not available); remote start/stop control panel
- Batteries: Mastervolt AGM batteries (2024) in centerline battery storage area; 4 new Group 31 AGM house batteries (2024); 1 new Group 31 AGM starting battery (Nov 2024); separate Group 31 AGM battery & Pronautic charger for bow thruster under forward berth
- Charging and inverters: engine-driven 100A alternator; Magnum 3000W inverter/charger installed 2014; Victron inverter/charger with display panel (2024); battery monitoring via Link 2000
- Renewable generation: AirX wind generator with new silent blades & nose cone (2018); four 80W Kyocera solar panels
- Shore power: primary power 30A 110V; 1 50' shore power cable with 30 & 50-to-30 amp adapter; AC breaker panel; DC electrical breaker panel; 6 x 110V outlets
- Bilge and pumps: electric bilge pump with automatic switch Rule 2000 (2024); second automatic bilge pump; deck/anchor washdown pump; high-water bilge alarm system
- Lighting and outlets: four 12V outlets (nav station, forward cabin, cockpit, mast), two USB charging ports in salon, cabin lights mostly LED with some incandescent/halogen/fluorescent, four cabin fans
- Safety and protections: galvanic isolator installed 2014; major electrical refit including galvanic isolators, new battery system master switches (2014)
- Spares and accessories: electrical spares include bulbs, connectors, wire; AC and DC breaker panels; wiring and breakers documented
Deck and Hull Equipment
- Anchoring hardware: double stainless steel anchor bow roller with closed bales for Mantus & Bruce anchors; double SS bow roller; Keefe 110V electric windlass with 3/8" chain and rode gypsies
- Anchors: 55 lb Mantus anchor with estimated 300' of 3/8" chain (2014); 30 kg Bruce anchor with chain & rode stored in lazarette (2020); 25 lb CQR stern anchor
- Ground tackle accessories: saltwater anchor washdown system, anchor locker location below deck in V-berth, chain locker forward
- Deck fittings: stainless steel bow pulpit, stainless stanchions with boarding gates port and starboard, double lifelines, 6 standard 8" mooring cleats (bow, stern, midships)
- Hatches and ports: 6 deck hatches with new Lexan (2013), 13 opening portlights with screens, cockpit opening port, large forward hatch for spinnaker deployment
- Mooring and boarding: 2 boarding ladders (1 teak, 1 stainless), large cockpit drains at waterline, teak companionway hatch boards
- Exterior finishes and repainting: red cove stripe repainted 2014, boot stripe repainted 2011, bottom painted intermittently (2018 & 2022)
- Miscellaneous deck gear: cockpit cold freshwater shower, Magma propane BBQ on stern rail, monitor wind vane self-steering (2022), dodger with new canvas and grab rails (2023), large bimini, connector panel between dodger & bimini, teak folding cockpit table with glass holder, comfort-designed molded seating
Sails and Rigging
- Rig: high-aspect-ratio cutter rig; keel-stepped welded aluminum mast painted white; mast air draft 67' (approx. bridge clearance ~68'); double spreaders; matching painted boom with slab/jiffy reefing
- Standing rigging: Navtec stainless steel rod rigging; rod rigging confirmed 2005; insulated backstay for SSB antenna; Strongtrack system on mast installed
- Running rigging and furling: Schaefer 3100 roller furler for jib; Schaefer 2100 roller furler for staysail; Schaefer furling and Ullman staysail; all sail halyards internal; lines and control led to cockpit; line stoppers for mainsheet, staysail and spinnaker halyards plus spare stoppers
- Sail inventory: Quantum tri-radial mainsail with 3 reef points (2023); 95% Yankee high-cut jib; jib; Ullman staysail with Schaefer roller furling; staysail; cruising spinnaker; spare sail in starboard lazarette
- Sail area: total approximate sail area 1,100 sq ft with main and headsail
- Deck gear for downwind: deck-mounted downwind pole; aluminum spinnaker pole mast-mounted
- Halyards and control layout: main, staysail, spinnaker halyards and main and headsail control lines run to cockpit; mainsheet arranged mid-boom to traveler forward of cockpit with cockpit controls
- Hydraulic and vang: Navtec adjustable hydraulic backstay and Navtec vang with cockpit controls
- Winches (Barient): 2 x Barient #36 2-speed primaries on cockpit coaming; 1 x Barient #27 2-speed mainsheet on cabin house; 2 x Barient #27 2-speed reefing winches mast-mounted; 2 x Barient #23 2-speed staysail sheet winches on cabin house port & starboard; 2 x Barient #27 2-speed mast winches; 1 x Barient #28 2-speed on cabin house for staysail & spinnaker halyards
Engines and Mechanical
- Main engine: Westerbeke 58 hp diesel, 4-cylinder naturally aspirated, 2,735 engine hours; mounted on four adjustable mounts with vibration isolation; sound-insulated engine compartment under galley
- Transmission: HBW 250 transmission
- Propulsion: three-blade propeller 16.5", 1.5" stainless steel prop shaft; straight shaft with traditional stuffing box (serviced 2018)
- Performance and consumption: cruising speed ~7+ knots at 2000 rpm; max speed ~8 knots at 2800 rpm; fuel burn approx. 1 gph at normal cruising speed
- Fuel system: 130 gallons fuel in tanks located in cockpit lockers for easy maintenance; two dual Racor filter system with dual vacuum gauges
- Generator and electrical/mechanical accessories: Fischer Panda 4 kW generator (2014) with 563 hours; generator remote control; alternator 100A with Xantrex regulator; oil suction removal system for engine and generator; exhaust temperature alarm system; automatic engine room fire suppression system
- Systems and pumps: 12V pressure water pump; shower sump with float switch and 12V sump pump; Jabsco manual marine toilets (forward and one large manual in forward head) with new pumps (2025); ElectroScan waste treatment system serviced 2025 (original 2010)
- Heating/Cooling: 16,000 BTU Dometic reverse-cycle A/C heat pump with ducts to salon and V-berth
- Tanks and capacity: 180 gallons water in 3 tanks under salon settees (easy replacement); all tanks have inspection/cleanout ports
- Range: cruising range approximately 800 nm with 130 gallons in two tanks
- Bow thruster: Vetus 12V bow thruster with helm control (2013)
- Maintenance and spares: excellent maintenance records aboard (nine binders), new engine mounts & transmission clutch installed 2011, new cutlass bearing 2011, oil removal pumps (one large, one small), spares include freshwater pump, filters, belts, bulbs, zincs, miscellaneous spare pump parts and plumbing
Tender
- Tender: 10' Portabote (2022)
- Outboard: 2.5 hp Tohatsu outboard motor
- Mounting and handling: motor mount on stern rail; engine lifting crane on stern rail
Navigation Equipment
- Chartplotters: Garmin 4208 at nav station (2010); Garmin 4210 at helm (2014)
- Radar: Garmin radar installed (2014)
- Instruments: Garmin wind/speed/depth instruments (2018); redundant B&G depth sounder with displays
- Autopilot and steering: Alpha 3000 autopilot (2010); monitor wind vane self-steering (2022); cable/quadrant steering assembly
- Communications: Icom 502 VHF; Icom 802 SSB with tuner; AIS transponder (2019)
- Compasses: Danforth 5" compass at helm; Ritchie 3" at nav station
- Emergency electronics: ACR EPIRB (2010)
- Miscellaneous: radar reflector, navigation lights LED (red & green deck level 2022), tricolor and anchor lights (Allied Signal Series 40 incandescent)
Safety
- Liferaft: six-person Winslow liferaft (onboard 2019 update)
- EPIRB: ACR EPIRB (2010)
- Fire protection: 6 fire extinguishers; automatic engine room fire suppression system; exhaust temperature alarm
- Personal safety equipment: 2 self-inflating PFDs; life sling with block and tackle; horseshoe buoy; flares; horn; whistles; ship’s bell; spotlight
- Bilge and pumps: electric bilge pump with automatic switch Rule 2000 (2024); second automatic bilge pump; high-water bilge alarm system; manual Whale Gusher pump in cockpit
- Sea cocks and valves: bronze ball valve sea cocks inspected annually
- Emergency systems and spares: emergency tiller in starboard locker; trash disposal placard; GFCI outlets (3)
- Docking and mooring gear: 6 dock lines; 4 fenders; boat hook
Anchor and Docking
- Primary windlass: Keefe 110V electric windlass with gypsies and 3/8" chain
- Primary anchor: 55 lb Mantus with estimated 300' of 3/8" chain (2014)
- Secondary anchors: 30 kg Bruce with chain & rode stored in lazarette (2020); 25 lb CQR stern anchor
- Bow roller and fittings: double stainless steel bow roller with closed bales; stainless bow pulpit; chain locker forward in V-berth
- Washdown and shore connections: saltwater anchor washdown system; shore power cable and adapters
Updates by Year
- 2005: standing rigging confirmed Navtec rod rigging
- 2010: Electroscan waste system installed; Alpha autopilot; roller furling for staysail with Ullman staysail; new main halyard; Garmin 4000 plotter at helm; engine mounts and cutlass bearing replaced; new 19" flat screen TV; ACR EPIRB (2010)
- 2011: boot stripe repainted; new cutlass bearing; engine mounts and transmission clutch replacement with professional transmission/prop shaft alignment
- 2013: WiFi booster for cruising; new Vetus 12V bow thruster with helm control; new chain plates; Lexan replaced in overhead hatches
- 2014: Fischer Panda 4 kW generator installed; new Garmin radar and Garmin 4000 series chartplotter at nav station; Magnum 3000W inverter/charger installed; refrigeration compressor replaced; West Marine 7000 stereo/CD and speakers installed; major electrical system refit including galvanic isolator, new battery master switches, second automatic bilge pump, high-water alarm; new Mantus 55 lb anchor; red cove stripe repainted
- 2015: teak and holly cabin sole refinished
- 2018: Garmin wind, speed and depth instruments installed; AirX wind generator silent blades & nose cone installed; Strongtrack system installed on mast; four Group 27 house batteries replaced; bottom paint November 2018; new raw water engine cooling pump installed Dec 2018
- 2019: EPIRB and six-person Winslow liferaft updated/recorded; new AIS transponder
- 2020–2024: 10' Portabote dinghy (2022); Monitor wind vane added; bottom painted 2022; dodger canvas renewed; Quantum tri-radial mainsail with canvas 2023
- 2023: mainsail cover replaced; Quantum tri-radial mainsail (2023); dodger/bimini canvas and dodger connector work (2023)
- 2024: Mastervolt AGM batteries installed; 4 new Group 31 AGM house batteries; 1 new Group 31 starting battery (Nov 2024); white cockpit closed-cell cushions (2024)
- 2025: Kuuma 6-gal hot water heater performance noted (2025); Jabsco toilet pumps replaced (2025); ElectroScan serviced (2025)
Additional Items to Convey
- Library of sailing books
- Dehumidifier
- Tabletop icemaker
- Dishes, flatware, cooking tools, glasses, pots and pans
- Towels, linens
- Brooms and general cleaning items
Remarks
- Vessel strengths: robust construction, bluewater capability, comfortable offshore accommodations, deck layout suitable for short-handed sailing
- Documentation: all manuals, warranties and original brochures aboard to be passed to new owner
- Condition and readiness: thoughtfully updated systems and equipment; ready for cruising
Exclusions
- Titanium cooking pan and all personal items (clothing, spices, food, flags, carpets, personal books)
- Any items not specifically listed as conveying do not convey upon sale
From the Original V47 Brochure
- Design emphasis: combination of safety, performance and comfort in a high-quality production yacht
- Rigging and handling: high-aspect cutter rig with all control lines led aft for ease of handling by a competent couple
- Performance quotes: noted for fine balance, good acceleration, tracking, lively performance for a cruising boat and ability to maintain speed on tacks
- Construction notes: ruggedly rigged, soundly constructed vessel suitable for long-range ocean cruising with comfort and safety
Exterior Photos
Deck Photos
Interior Photos
Cabin Photos
Head Photos
Other Photos
