to reach the mainsail. The bowsprit/anchor platform is pure and simple overkill; the structure's 2.75 inch-diameter heavy-wall stainless-steel tubing is so hefty it will not yield in any anchoring situation or in just about any collision scenario.    The Valiant 50's interior can be configured a number of ways. All bulkheads, deck hatches, and ports, everything but the engine, can be moved to suit an owner. The standard layout features a double berth adjacent to the companionway, a judicious arrangement for watchkeeping couples, and a guest cabin forward (the area can alternatively be built with stacked bunks, a workbench, or a "garage" for cruising gear). The saloon can seat six or more for dinner, headroom in the cabin is 6 feet, 7 inches, and the deep bilges double as stowage areas under the locking floorboards.     The galley reflects the overall purpose of the Valiant 50 and demonstrates the generous amount of living space and stowage throughout the boat. The deep U-shaped galley is a secure and productive workplace for the cook; totally removed from the traffic pattern, the chef has at his or her disposal a whopping 17.7 square feet of counter space, well- insulated and organized refrigerator/freezer space, dual 10" deep sinks, and a homestyle slide-out trash bin arrangement.    The sit-in, lighted engine room, with multiple access panels, will be welcomed by visiting mechanics and do-it-yourselfers. Machinery and systems execution on the 50 is of a very high standard; all wiring, hoses, and plumbing are neatly organized, clearly labeled, and accessible. The builder has applied engineering solutions to head off long-term problems. The engine bed, for example, features an aluminum-rail weldment that carries the engine mounts and is through-bolted to the fiberglass bed.    The Valiant 50 is meant to carry sailors across oceans, and the builder, by training a singleminded focus on the special requirements of bluewater voyaging, has achieved this objective. From stem to stern, this is a boat that is capable of earning a bluewater sailor's trust. Back