Brave challenger has moved

[dudleybloke]

Looks like the restoration is coming along lovely. Will be great to see it in all its splendor.

[Leo_Gramps]

andy97 said:

Is that the one where VT used to build the RN’s GRP hulled Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs)?

The MCMVs were built at the Woolston yard. However a lot of patrol boats were built in Porchester, first in wood, wood/aluminium then in steel. The early boats (including Brave Challenger) were built in sheds (now gone) that were in the top left of the Google image. That image is a bit out of date now, Brave Challenger was later shunted sideways and the big white shed built over a year ago.

Cheers.

[adamsons]

Hello. My father worked on the design of the brave class at Vospers. I'd very much like to lay eyes on her. Would someone be so kind as to let me know if she can be seen from a road close by, or, is she still inside?
It means a lot to see this thread.

Many thanks,
Stewart.

[ecsrobin]

adamsons said:

Hello. My father worked on the design of the brave class at Vospers. I'd very much like to lay eyes on her. Would someone be so kind as to let me know if she can be seen from a road close by, or, is she still inside?
It means a lot to see this thread.

Many thanks,
Stewart.

She’s outside but tucked away behind protective sheeting.

[Condi]

Maybe a bit of a personal question, but how does the owner have the money to afford it?

According to wikipedia he had debts of £13m in 1998, so what has he done since to rebuild his fortune and afford such a lovely boat, plus all the work going on now?

[RoverP6B]

I'd heard he was homeless and Fareham BC were paying him housing benefit to live on BC...!

[Bert Cheese]

RoverP6B said:

I'd heard he was homeless and Fareham BC were paying him housing benefit to live on BC...!

It wouldn't surprise me as he is pretty savvy at extracting money from people..
Managed to get £200k from Mowlem a few years ago after some gravel from the then under-construction Spinnaker Tower fell onto BC during its long sojourn at Pompey.
Mowlem paid out of court, he had originally tried to sue Portsmouth City Council via individual councillors including my ex-boss who was seriously worried about losing his house at one point.

Still a fascinating boat though, very much looking forward to seeing it in action under its own power if possible soon.

[gizard]

The wraps are off apparently she will be launched soon...

[Huntsman]

gizard said:

The wraps are off apparently she will be launched soon...

Oh! Exciting!

[ecsrobin]

Looking forward to seeing her on the water. I went past yesterday and looks to be a border force cutter and gosport ferry outside at the moment.

[Huntsman]

[ecsrobin]

Was just about to post that I’d seen it out in the wild this afternoon! Good to see some close up shots it did look gleaming in the sun.

[NickCQ]

That's Trafalgar Wharf, right?
https://www.google.com/maps/@50.8426625,-1.1126663...

[ecsrobin]

NickCQ said:

That's Trafalgar Wharf, right?
https://www.google.com/maps/@50.8426625,-1.1126663...

Yes.

[RoverP6B]

Still Proteus-powered?

[gizard]

RoverP6B said:

Still Proteus-powered?

yes.

[gizard]

They put her in the water today - and then took her out again - not sure why - had my own boat problems to deal with!

[808 Estate]

She does look stunning. Money well spent I think. Although I expect the final bill to be somewhat scary.

[dvs_dave]

Fantastic! Interesting that it only has one large full width trim tab, and not independent port/starboard ones.

[ecsrobin]

Not sure if posted previously but found a website registered for the vessel. Not much on there for now https://bravechallenger.co.uk/