That boat you see on the train as you leave Exeter towards Plymouth

[[70521]]

I've often wondered what the story was behind the large boat that you can see from the train a few minutes out of Exeter travelling towards Plymouth. Last night I had an hour to kill in town and went down to find the boat.

I found her parked in an industrial estate and looking quite sad and Goggled her is morning

https://www.berthon.co.uk/berthon-b...nge-72-challenge-business-45-comes-back-life/

It looks like she did not come back to life.

 

[[2574]]

Let’s hope the project is stalled rather than abandoned. A fine yacht which deserves to sail again.

 

[Yellow Ballad]

I do love the 72 footers and if my numbers came up I would buy one in a heartbeat, they were the boats sailing when I was a kid and remember being in awe.

Anyways... did you find this? No updates for a few years after a quick browse..

http://www.challengebusiness45.com/

Also shown for sale on the website...

 

[Kukri]

Having recently bought a Nic 55 from the MOD for a price that I could actually afford, I think the “problem” with the Nic 55s is the same as “the problem” with the 72 footers. Absolutely fantastic boats, if you can find somewhere to put one and something to do with her.

There obviously isn’t much wrong with this one, but the cost of the simple hull repairs and the new rig may be more than anybody will pay for her.

 

[Neeves]

And unless you can install a lot of power (which will really cost) will demand a rather large crew.

It is part of NormanS' recent post - historically most could not afford to own a yacht and if you wanted to sail the option was crew, or stay ashore. It is easier and cheaper to get afloat now and that endless resource of hungry, reliable, crew has diminished. There are other issues, funding a yacht that need all your mates to sail it (not for the wife and kids) is but one example.