The sailing industry.s award-winning yacht designer, Robert Perry, is generally credited with starting the .performance cruising. movement that introduced the concept of sailing speed in offshore cruising yachts. The success of the Perry-designed Valiant 40 launched that movement. In fact, Perry designed all of the Valiant models as well as a host of other brand-name production boats and one-off custom yachts worldwide. Perry designs account for 5,000 boats on the water and are recognized as the epitome of world-class offshore cruising yachts. For the past 22 years, Bob has been the Technical Editor of SAILING magazine and contributes each month with his article entitled, .Perry On Design.. He resides in Seattle, Washington, where he heads Robert H. Perry Yacht Designers, Inc.

A live-aboard sailor and boat builder, Nathan Rothman is the original founder of Valiant Yachts and it was his collaboration with sailing friend and co-worker, Robert Perry, that produced the legendary Valiant 40. It was Rothman.s leadership, vision and entrepreneurial spirit that made Valiant a reality. Rothman contracted with Uniflite to build Valiant Yachts and was the President of Valiant Yachts Corporation until the company was sold in the early 80s. Now residing in Mercer Island, Washington, Rothman has been involved in the design and construction of environmentally-friendly buildings all over the world for the past two decades.

Mark Schrader, a Nebraska farm boy turned sailor, first circumnavigated the globe in a Valiant 40 and set a new record of 199 days in what would become known as the Five Capes Passage. His Valiant 40, RESOURCEFUL, was named for the non-profit Resource Foundation for which the voyage raised money for the organization that helps disabled children. Schrader.s second solo circumnavigation occurred when he sailed in the 1986-87 BOC (British Oxygen Corp) Challenge on board the Valiant 47, LONE STAR. Schrader completed the 27,000 mile race and LONE STAR was the only boat that did not have to stop for repairs. Mark Schrader went on to become the Director of the BOC Challenge in subsequent races.

After a long and successful career in general aviation, Rich Worstell purchased Cedar Mills Marina on Lake Texoma in Texas and became a Valiant dealer in the late 70s. A firm believer in the product, Rich personally owned a Valiant 40 and later a 47. When the opportunity to purchase Valiant Yachts was presented, Rich enthusiastically pursued the acquisition in 1984. He eventually moved the operation to Cedar Mills Marina and the first .Texas-Built. Valiant was launched in 1985. As a FAA Certified Inspector, Rich.s aviation background helped Valiant improve its already high standards for construction and safety.

Through Rich.s leadership, the involvement of the entire Worstell family and the efforts of the dedicated employees of Valiant Yachts and Cedar Mills Marina, the Valiant saga continues ...