A list of ex-Challenger narrowboats?

[Giles Williams]

It's been ten years since Challenger deservedly disappeared. A lot of their boats ended up with BCBM and other shared ownership groups, I'm part of the group that own Victorious.

Since Valkyrie appeared on Facebook when a camera containing shots of her was rescued from the bottom of a lock I've been wondering if there's a definitive list somewhere of all the boats that were built for Challenger.

I'm aware of three 'V' boats: Victorious, Valkyrie, Viceroy.

One 'I' boats: Invincible.

Three 'E' boats: Endeavour, Enterprise, Explorer.

Two 'C' boats: Centurion, Champion.

Three 'B' boats: Benbow, Black Watch, Broadsword.


I just wonder if there's a full list hiding somewhere. I'm curious.

[howardang]

36 minutes ago, Aegidian said:

It's been ten years since Challenger deservedly disappeared. A lot of their boats ended up with BCBM and other shared ownership groups, I'm part of the group that own Victorious.

Since Valkyrie appeared on Facebook when a camera containing shots of her was rescued from the bottom of a lock I've been wondering if there's a definitive list somewhere of all the boats that were built for Challenger.

I'm aware of three 'V' boats: Victorious, Valkyrie, Viceroy.

One 'I' boats: Invincible.

Three 'E' boats: Endeavour, Enterprise, Explorer.

Two 'C' boats: Centurion, Champion.

Three 'B' boats: Benbow, Black Watch, Broadsword.


I just wonder if there's a full list hiding somewhere. I'm curious.

As a starter, you may find many of the ex Challenger boats on Boatshare4U - web site as follows

http://www.boatshare4u.co.uk/boatlist.asp

Cheers

 

Howard

[JamesFrance]

The Challenger tugs with Hudson shells were built to a rather unusual lengt of 66ft which may help to spot them, the first of those being Arthur.   I think most of the Hudson/Blue haven trads were 62ft.

Edited February 3, 2018 by JamesFrance
typo

[pearley]

Friends of ours have shares in Valour, now run independently. 

[Ray T]

In alphabetical order.

Arthur (tug)       Centurion          Explorer           Vanguard          Vulcan

Benbow              Champion        Invincible          Venus               Warwick

Black Swan          Conqueror      Norfolk              Verity

Black Watch        Empire            Shrewsbury       Viceroy

Broad Sword        Endeavor        Valkyre             Victorious

Buccaneer           Enterprise        Valour              Virtue

Then there was the Stealth Hire fleet:  Blackbird:  Eagle:  George:  Phantom:  Shadow:  Sky Hawk:  Vanquish:  Victory and Vigilant.

The boats were marketed as "Superior hire boats for superior people."

This is all I am aware of, although I may have missed one or two.

Originally based at Market Drayton.

Ron Hough painted most the Roses & Castles whilst David Suchet was invited to officially name the boats.

Edited February 3, 2018 by Ray T

[dor]

Never quite worked out why they were called "stealth hire".  Painting it in big letters on the side of the boat was hardly trying to keep it secret.

[alan_fincher]

37 minutes ago, JamesFrance said:

The Challenger tugs with Hudson shells were built to a rather unusual lengt of 66ft which may help to spot them, the first of those being Arthur.   I think most of the Hudson/Blue haven trads were 62ft.

We have friends who have maintained a share in Norfolk No 1 from new.

I believe I'm right in saying it was both the first Challenger boat, and the only one built at 70 foot.

It has been self managed by the owners since the Challenger collapse, but I understand a decision has now been taken to sell it, so I imagine it will probably now cease to be a share boat.

[X Alan W]

Where they based in Harry Machins Holidays Afloat yard ?it appears that is so in the photo of a number of boats tied up

[Peter X]

Re the last of RayT's photos above, the thought occurred to me that if I owned an expensive and heavy car like a Roller I would be wary of parking it that close to what looks like a very crumbly bank edge.