Harvey64
New Member
Many thanks - I'll have a look
Brave Challenger has moved.
- Thread starter burgundyben
- Start date
Many thanks - I'll have a look
MystereMarcus
Well-Known Member
Out of interest does anybody know how she was transported? It's quite a distance from her mooring to Porchester, was she towed or did she travel using her smaller 'mooring' motors?
Paul&Ness
Well-Known Member
I believe that she was towed round.
MystereMarcus
Well-Known Member
Thanks. That's quite a long way to tow just for a few weeks out of the water. Does anyone know what work was carried out?
burgundyben
Well-Known Member
Purely conjecture on my part, I reckon she sprang a leak through a fastening, they've fixed the clean and painted the bottom. No idea really!
Good to meet on Sat. You should have stayed for something to eat.
MystereMarcus
Well-Known Member
That makes sense.
Good to see you on Saturday also. I have a history of getting that evening wrong, last year I ordered and paid for the food then didn't manage to turn up. This year I didn't pre-order the food as I didn't think I was going to be able to make it so had to make do with a beer! There's always next year.
burgundyben
Well-Known Member
I read elsewhere on the web that ownership of Brave Challenger is vested in a company that is the subject of a compulsory winding up order.
See https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03945011
See https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/03945011
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Boat2016
Well-Known Member
I think it would be best to only write the true facts here rather than speculating what you think might have happened, if you don't know then best to keep quiet, how would you like it if others on here were discussing your business without knowing the true facts.
petem
Well-Known Member
Who owns it now Ben? I'd anyone living on it? And remind ne, what's the hull made of?
Firefly625
Well-Known Member
Bens not one for idle gossip, If actually follow the link, Company dissolved Aug 2016 - read the charges section "The mv brave challenger, official number 199399, all plant…"
burgundyben
Well-Known Member
I don't know Pete, I suspect one way or another that the owner is the same chap that's had it decades, just that paperwork behind it has shuffled about a bit.
I understand hull is aluminium frames planked in wood, double diagonal from chine to deck, chin to keel is double or maybe triple diagonal. Would be a nightmare rebuild.
petem
Well-Known Member
Thanks Ben. I always used to admire the boat when we had our years ago. Must admit she looked in a pretty sorry state even then.
It's such a shame that the current owner hasn't been able to find the funds for a re-build, but you have to admire him for having the dream. As I understand it, back in the day, the rebuild costs would have been loose change for him.
But what would it cost to re-build, £5mill if you were lucky? And who would pay that? Not having a lot of outside space, the boat has pretty narrow appeal to another buyer I would think.
Really needs to be in a museum with Branson's Virgin Atlantic Challenger but apart from us lot who would 'get it' and go and see it? And how could a museum afford the restoration and upkeep costs. National Lottery money perhaps?
It's such a shame that the current owner hasn't been able to find the funds for a re-build, but you have to admire him for having the dream. As I understand it, back in the day, the rebuild costs would have been loose change for him.
But what would it cost to re-build, £5mill if you were lucky? And who would pay that? Not having a lot of outside space, the boat has pretty narrow appeal to another buyer I would think.
Really needs to be in a museum with Branson's Virgin Atlantic Challenger but apart from us lot who would 'get it' and go and see it? And how could a museum afford the restoration and upkeep costs. National Lottery money perhaps?
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The owner is probably hoping for just that. I can't see Lottery funding making an appearance - there's no real historic value to the boat is there? I suppose it would be different if it were originally a commissioned vessel that got converted.
I'd love to see it go past the Needles at WOT. One day maybe...
I'd love to see it go past the Needles at WOT. One day maybe...
itchenseadog
Well-Known Member
I distinctly remember seeing Challengers sister ship Brave Borderer going past us some 50 yards away from us off Cowes at full chat whilst acting as start boat for the 1962(?) Cowes Torquay power boat race. She was almost out of sight before her wash hit us, an amazing sight and sound.
jfm
Well-Known Member
It looks strongly like the winding up order is due to late filing of annual return, and wasn't due to an insolvency or suchlike. Co House does these strike offs automatically now if you're late, after the final warning. It happens a lot, and this company has some prior form. In law the company's assets now belong to the crown, which is an interesting outcome if the boat was getting costly to maintain! Remember though that the registered owner of a boat isn't necessarily the beneficial owner (ie there could be a trust) and all that goes to the crown is just that which the company owned, which could be mere bare title - I don't know.
The normal procedure now is that the ex owners of the company apply to have it reinstated, after which it is as though all this never happened, rather than the Queen or Prince Charles turning up in Gosport to take their new boat for a cruise. But they don't have to apply to have the company reinstated.
The normal procedure now is that the ex owners of the company apply to have it reinstated, after which it is as though all this never happened, rather than the Queen or Prince Charles turning up in Gosport to take their new boat for a cruise. But they don't have to apply to have the company reinstated.
petem
Well-Known Member
There are a few good videos on YouTube. A couple to whet your appetite...
https://youtu.be/sTJNVcKb9AQ
https://youtu.be/bV8Exhc359o
Great sounds of the turbines spooling up.
Ian h
Well-Known Member
See that Brave Challenger has gone from is mooring on the Itchen,
Heard a rumour its gone to Traflagar Wharf area for a refit ?
Anyone know where and whats happening
Heard a rumour its gone to Traflagar Wharf area for a refit ?
Anyone know where and whats happening
burgundyben
Well-Known Member
Correct, at Trafalgar wharf having some work done.
petem
Well-Known Member
Any update on this?
burgundyben
Well-Known Member
I've heard nothing. I tried many times to arrange a visit for a small group, but no luck.
