Brave challenger has moved

Author
Discussion

Chrisgr31

13,461 posts

255 months

Wednesday 28th December 2016
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Hang on if Pistonheads bought Brave Challenger and all the parts for her, we could then buy one of te large hovercraft that are for sale and get both working! biggrin

Huntsman

8,042 posts

250 months

Wednesday 28th December 2016
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Chrisgr31 said:
Hang on if Pistonheads bought Brave Challenger and all the parts for her, we could then buy one of te large hovercraft that are for sale and get both working! biggrin
In the grand scheme of things that is a mighty audacious plan. I like it!biggrin

RoverP6B

4,338 posts

128 months

Monday 2nd January 2017
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As and when old Wensley pops his clogs, that boat has to be saved from scrap or sale to some Arab millionaire and replacement of the Proteii with diesels... I might perhaps ditch the Proteii for Rolls-Royce AE2100s though. Or, if there was sufficient length available, go for R-R/Airbus TP400s...

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,085 posts

165 months

Monday 2nd January 2017
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Chrisgr31 said:
Hang on if Pistonheads bought Brave Challenger and all the parts for her, we could then buy one of te large hovercraft that are for sale and get both working! biggrin
Wouldn't the hovercraft be included in the sale? Or has he sold them on now?

EddietheEagle

3 posts

89 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017
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Sounds as though someone's pondering entry into the cruise business.

http://bravechallenger.co.uk/

Not dear old Wensley, surely? with a napkin tucked over his left arm!

randlemarcus

13,515 posts

231 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2017
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Carole and Graham Westbrook, of Westbrook Marine Projects Ltd, which has been kicking around since 1986. Specialist design, according to Companies House.

Leo_Gramps

4 posts

89 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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Well, as my name has cropped up in relation to Brave Challenger I thought it best to stick my head above the parapet and explain.I have been involved with Brave Challenger for many years (too many?) from roles as diverse as technical consultant (I am a naval architect by trade) to unpaid caretaker. For many years we have tried to keep her afloat and intact with little or no finance. However, as of last year, there has been some reasonable funding which has allowed an appraisal to be made of work needed. This was the lift-out and scrub at Portchester which was the start of this thread. This summer we will be coming out again for some hull work and then back alongside for some supersructure repairs. The aim at the moment is to be up and running on gas turbines next March/April. Can't say much more but will try to post again as things progress (Owner permitting).

Cheers,
Graham Westbrook
aka Leo_Gramps

PS The website was set up by me at the request of the Owner hence the link. I have my own website www.westbrookmarine.co.uk where you can see the things I do as a 'proper job'.


Huntsman

8,042 posts

250 months

Thursday 11th May 2017
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Thanks for the update.

I can see her from my office window, its a surprise I get any work done.

RoverP6B

4,338 posts

128 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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Do keep us informed... I would absolutely love to see the old girl at full chat down the Solent!

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,085 posts

165 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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Great news that she will be getting the care she needs.

I look forward to passing it daily at portchester that should make the commute more interesting.

And maybe next year we can see something similar to this: https://youtu.be/H_QT9ijh7j0

Edited by ecsrobin on Monday 5th June 08:55

Huntsman

8,042 posts

250 months

Monday 5th June 2017
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Can't see her from my desk at the moment, someone's put some scaffolding up in the shipyard. Will have a look lunchtime.

ETA - she's still there. I went out in the rain to bring you that nugget of info!

Edited by Huntsman on Monday 5th June 12:52

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,085 posts

165 months

Sunday 25th June 2017
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Currently parked up at portchester (went for a car meet and mine was considered not interesting so turned away) and I can see brave challenger out the water at Drystack (burgess marine?) wedged between a fishing boat and super yacht.

Huntsman

8,042 posts

250 months

Sunday 25th June 2017
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ecsrobin said:
Currently parked up at portchester (went for a car meet and mine was considered not interesting so turned away) and I can see brave challenger out the water at Drystack (burgess marine?) wedged between a fishing boat and super yacht.
I've moved to Cowes, so no longer have a view of her from my office. Keep us posted.

gizard

2,249 posts

283 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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She is back at her spiritual place of birth!

Leo_Gramps

4 posts

89 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
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Just to confirm, Brave Challenger safely out at Burgess Marine at Portchester. Scaffold all round and shrink wrapped for next 6 months. We 've decided to do the entire exterior while we are there as they have made such a good job of tenting-in.
Ran some wet sand blast tests yesterday and today on the bottom to get back back to 1985 epoxy sheathing. Everything looks good so far, majority of the hull is sound as a pound.
Great to be started at last.
Will try and posts pics later.

Cheers,
Graham

Legmaster

1,159 posts

207 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
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Leo_Gramps said:
Just to confirm, Brave Challenger safely out at Burgess Marine at Portchester. Scaffold all round and shrink wrapped for next 6 months. We 've decided to do the entire exterior while we are there as they have made such a good job of tenting-in.
Ran some wet sand blast tests yesterday and today on the bottom to get back back to 1985 epoxy sheathing. Everything looks good so far, majority of the hull is sound as a pound.
Great to be started at last.
Will try and posts pics later.

Cheers,
Graham
Apart from the serious pics of a great bit of kit having some much needed TLC, I'd quite like to see a YouTube video of the 'dustbin lids' going down set to the Thunderbird's music please...?

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,085 posts

165 months

Tuesday 11th July 2017
quotequote all
Leo_Gramps said:
Just to confirm, Brave Challenger safely out at Burgess Marine at Portchester. Scaffold all round and shrink wrapped for next 6 months. We 've decided to do the entire exterior while we are there as they have made such a good job of tenting-in.
Ran some wet sand blast tests yesterday and today on the bottom to get back back to 1985 epoxy sheathing. Everything looks good so far, majority of the hull is sound as a pound.
Great to be started at last.
Will try and posts pics later.

Cheers,
Graham
Brilliant news.

Also what are the giant wheels/cable drums down at burgess?

Edited by ecsrobin on Tuesday 11th July 21:49

RoverP6B

4,338 posts

128 months

Saturday 12th August 2017
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Hate to nag, but is there any progress, a month on? The Braves were my childhood idols, and while Borderer and Swordsman may have gone, as long as Challenger lives, so does the spirit of my youth...

Huntsman

8,042 posts

250 months

Saturday 16th December 2017
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Burgess Marine have gone bust. What does this mean for the Brave class?

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,085 posts

165 months

Saturday 16th December 2017
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Huntsman said:
Burgess Marine have gone bust. What does this mean for the Brave class?
Not good and a bad time of year. https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/...

They’re saying the failed to get the final payment on a recent build, the last big vessel to leave was lord sugars wasn’t it?