Brave challenger has moved

Author
Discussion

Legmaster

1,160 posts

207 months

Saturday 16th December 2017
quotequote all
She's having her hull planking given some TLC, there's some fastening rot being treated. Owner doesn't want any web updates unfortunately, so can't really share any pics, but there's loads of work going on to get her back to her former glory.

Little video here though, get in quick before YouTube delete it for music copyright...

https://youtu.be/g4H5f90Nmzs

NickCQ

5,392 posts

96 months

Saturday 16th December 2017
quotequote all
Legmaster said:
She's having her hull planking given some TLC, there's some fastening rot being treated. Owner doesn't want any web updates unfortunately, so can't really share any pics, but there's loads of work going on to get her back to her former glory.

Little video here though, get in quick before YouTube delete it for music copyright...

https://youtu.be/g4H5f90Nmzs
Excellent biggrin

cat with a hat

1,484 posts

118 months

Saturday 16th December 2017
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look forward to some full blast videos biggrin

RoverP6B

4,338 posts

128 months

Saturday 16th December 2017
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So is work continuing despite Burgess going bust?

Does Wensley Haydon-Baillie still own the boat? Is it likely to return to the sea or remain moored up?

Naturally, I hope Brave Challenger's future is secure, and can't help but feel that such a unique, historic vessel should be in public/charitable ownership...

alexis lambert

11 posts

76 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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Hi all, just joined due to interest in this boat & Haydon-Baillie. I have collected memorabillia regarding Ormond Haydon-Baillie for years.

Does Wensley still own this boat? Is it possible to view? What is the likelihood of her running again?

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,118 posts

165 months

Wednesday 5th June 2019
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So over a year has passed since the last update. Does anyone know where brave challenger is residing now?

Huntsman

8,054 posts

250 months

Thursday 6th June 2019
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ecsrobin said:
So over a year has passed since the last update. Does anyone know where brave challenger is residing now?
I've not seen any reports of sightings anywhere, so I assume still at Portchester.

I tried for a longtime to get a visit arranged for a small group, but drew a blank.


Speculatore

2,002 posts

235 months

Friday 7th June 2019
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Had a good look around today as the guest of the owner Wensley Haydon-Baillie. Happy to now be associated with the beautiful restoration.




RoverP6B

4,338 posts

128 months

Friday 7th June 2019
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Still Proteus-powered? Otherwise Tynes should be available...

crofty1984

15,858 posts

204 months

Friday 7th June 2019
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Fantastic news!

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,118 posts

165 months

Friday 7th June 2019
quotequote all
Great news. So this is what’s under the tarpaulin at portchester? I went past yesterday but wasn’t sure. I also saw a large sun seeker type vessel being towed in.

Wildcat45

8,073 posts

189 months

Friday 7th June 2019
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I'm loving that dashboard. Is the TV monitor like an ECAM screen in an Airbus? Turbine N1 EGT etc?

NickCQ

5,392 posts

96 months

Friday 7th June 2019
quotequote all
Speculatore said:
Love this pic - all the retro tech and then a Raymarine ST60 tridata plonked in the middle

Speculatore

2,002 posts

235 months

Friday 7th June 2019
quotequote all
RoverP6B said:
Still Proteus-powered? Otherwise Tynes should be available...
Still Proteus... Leant on one today. Not an easy task when you are 6ft 4ins...

CS Garth

2,860 posts

105 months

Friday 7th June 2019
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Wensley has lived an incredible life and its tremendous to see him being able to do this after some of his ups and downs. He obviously loves the boat with a passion. Well done sir!

Leo_Gramps

4 posts

89 months

Saturday 8th June 2019
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Just to answer a few questions:

Yes, Brave Challenger is in the big white shed at Portchester.
We have just finished Stage 1 of the refit - All outside now refurbished, painted and varnished. Underwater all done so technically could go back in the water.
However, Stage 2 about to start - Refresh interior finishes, new Furuno navigation fit (Raymarine and CRT radars going but keeping traditional Smiths engine instruments), new air con, updating systems etc etc.
Will be keeping three Proteus engines; the vee boxes and cruise diesels will be serviced.
Hopefully 60 knots again next Spring.

Huntsman - Bear with me, still trying to get some private visits, recent one was organised by Trafalgar Wharf and owner so out of my hands.

Will try to answer tech and other questions where and when I can.

Cheers,
Graham
Project Naval Architect
(have now worked with Brave Challenger on and off since 1985!!)

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,118 posts

165 months

Saturday 8th June 2019
quotequote all
Leo_Gramps said:
Just to answer a few questions:

Yes, Brave Challenger is in the big white shed at Portchester.
We have just finished Stage 1 of the refit - All outside now refurbished, painted and varnished. Underwater all done so technically could go back in the water.
However, Stage 2 about to start - Refresh interior finishes, new Furuno navigation fit (Raymarine and CRT radars going but keeping traditional Smiths engine instruments), new air con, updating systems etc etc.
Will be keeping three Proteus engines; the vee boxes and cruise diesels will be serviced.
Hopefully 60 knots again next Spring.

Huntsman - Bear with me, still trying to get some private visits, recent one was organised by Trafalgar Wharf and owner so out of my hands.

Will try to answer tech and other questions where and when I can.

Cheers,
Graham
Project Naval Architect
(have now worked with Brave Challenger on and off since 1985!!)
Graham thank you for taking the time to update us on the current situation. Great to see the time and money being put in to restore the vessel to enable high speed operations.

andy97

4,703 posts

222 months

Saturday 8th June 2019
quotequote all
Leo_Gramps said:
Yes, Brave Challenger is in the big white shed at Portchester.
Is that the one where VT used to build the RN’s GRP hulled Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs)?

ecsrobin

Original Poster:

17,118 posts

165 months

Saturday 8th June 2019
quotequote all
andy97 said:
Is that the one where VT used to build the RN’s GRP hulled Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs)?
This one on google maps (with brave challenger outside):


Speculatore

2,002 posts

235 months

Saturday 8th June 2019
quotequote all
Leo_Gramps said:
Just to answer a few questions:

Yes, Brave Challenger is in the big white shed at Portchester.
We have just finished Stage 1 of the refit - All outside now refurbished, painted and varnished. Underwater all done so technically could go back in the water.
However, Stage 2 about to start - Refresh interior finishes, new Furuno navigation fit (Raymarine and CRT radars going but keeping traditional Smiths engine instruments), new air con, updating systems etc etc.
Will be keeping three Proteus engines; the vee boxes and cruise diesels will be serviced.
Hopefully 60 knots again next Spring.

Huntsman - Bear with me, still trying to get some private visits, recent one was organised by Trafalgar Wharf and owner so out of my hands.

Will try to answer tech and other questions where and when I can.

Cheers,
Graham
Project Naval Architect
(have now worked with Brave Challenger on and off since 1985!!)
Hi Graham,

I was with the Trafalgar group on Friday during the tour with Wensley. The tall ex RN one.