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This boat is located in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. It can be collected or potentially left where she is on the current pontoon mooring subject to transferring to the new owner. You will be hard pushed to find another solid, well built, steel hulled boat in as good condition with so much time and money spent, reluctant sale. I purchased her outright in 2020 and did as much as I could to get major works finished with a view to making a weekend live aboard or day fishing boat. There is a working radar, plotter, depth/speed sender and VHF radio.
Challenge is a steel hulled (with wing keels), 11.54mtr ex survey vessel. 4mtr beam, 1.2mtr draught. Class 3 expired in 2021 as I had no intention of using her commercially but would be possible to reinstate. The steel hull is a recognised design providing great stability and durability that was good for seas 25 miles from shore, it cuts through waves easily and is very solid.
Dry docked and refurbished between 2020 and 2022, plenty of rust removed and all steel primered inside and out. New international anti fouling primer and Jotun antifouling, multiple layers, one small plate welded in to fix the only leak found in the hull. The steel hull is between 5mm at the stern and above the waterline and 10mm thick in places at the bow.
New 12V max power bow thruster installed, prop seals renewed, cutlass bearing changed, front wheel house steel completely replaced, glass refitted with new seals, wheelhouse rebuilt from scratch and extended.
The decks were prepped, primered and repainted and the upper epoxy primered and topcoated with a twin pack epoxy paint. There is a covered storage area/acess to bow accessible from either side of the wheelhouse.
Powered by a 6354 Perkins, 120hp, 6 cylinder engine in good running order. Removed when dry docked to clean and paint bilges this engine has been very well maintained with filters and oils changed frequently, the sump repaired following electrolysis damage by previous owners. New filters, oil, transmission fluid etc. Starts, runs, drives. She’s also had two new Bowman oil coolers. There is a fire suppression system in the engine room. The solid exhaust was rotted and replaced with a flexible and new stack fitted to the rear of the aft deck, away from the wheelhouse.
The wheelhouse was completely replaced from deck level, installed on rubber seals, extended to allow for a seating area that could be two berths and galley. Twin wall and insulated just the trims around the windows to finish. LED 12V lighting.
New bilge pumps fitted, the bilges are dry and empty. New 200ltr fresh water tank and automatic water pump. New LED navigation lights, new rear deck flood lights. New solar panel charging system for the 8 batteries aboard. PMS3V/H power control unit for shore power including charger and 240v sockets fitted. Also a new gusher pump fitted.
There is a central hold which used to house a hydraulic oil tank for two hiabs that were originally fitted. This was removed, all rust taken out and repainted before boarding with ply and wooden floor laid over the concrete ballast floor. New single piece hydraulic copper steering lines removing all joints and resealed the steering pump.
C shaped seating area in wheelhouse with storage suitable for drop down table to convert into a double bed. Two pods in the bow easily completed to make two more berths where a sonar buoy was removed and capped off from above and below to allow more space.
Galley area with LPG water heater never used, new 3 way fridge and LPG cooker. The is a large sink in the galley but a small one is needed for the head and taps fitted (I have the shower taps for the head)
Working toilet with shower tray fitted.
There are some cosmetic items that need finishing and some plumbing for sinks/shower but the major works have already all been done. Space to comfortably fish at least 8 off the stern or cover to extend the living area, she’s solid and ready to go.
I would replace the current flexible exhaust with solid as the engine bay currently gets a little smokey. I run her up at least once a fortnight but she could benefit from some regular use which with my current job she doesn’t get and the reason for sale.
There is an 8 person commercial life raft that was serviced, a 25kg and 15kg anchors with chains and rope. Successful bidder can also have a 9ft fibreglass tender and 5hp Suzuki outboard. There is also a diesel fired, portable Chinese warm air heater that’s only been used for a few weeks.
Viewing is recommended if possible. I have dozens of photos showing works being done. She’s been in the water for two years now.
A £1000 deposit is required following a sucessful auction within 7 days with full payment on collection or transfer of ownership within 14 days.
Terms are sold as seen with no warranty offered or implied.
Challenge is currently on a mid river pontoon mooring which could be transferred, or arrangements made to pay the next year’s fees. I’m sorry but I cannot help with delivery or transport etc.
Current Price: £1000.00
This Fishing Boat, 12mtr Steel Hulled Ex Survey Vessel In Good Working Order, 4 Berth may be available on ebay