Challenger Sailboats?

Question

I've found a bit of info online, and they seem to be well built. However, I am looking at a 32 - which has a fin keel (the bigger ones have modified full keels). The one piece of negative info I found on the 32 was that the hull is weak right behind the keel - this info was from a Challenger 40 owner, in a sailing forum, not an expert, or even a 32 owner...

Does ANYONE know anything about these boats????

Thanks,

Brett

Answer 1

Don't believe the guy on the weakness behind the keel.

Check the stringer layout, no problem. Do not be afraid of any Challenger.

Answer 2

Often mistaken for an Islander,  probably somewhere in their history have same designer/builder/etc.  

The hull problem that the owner is talking about is not just for a Challenger, but is one the negatives of a fin keel.(there are positives to fin keels too)

On a Hard grounding, the fin keel acts as a lever distributing large tension force forward of the keel, and large upward compression forces aft of the keel.

Although this may sound major, easy way to prevent this is not to run into things, especially large unmovable stretches of reef, rock, etc.

Before buying it, would suggest hauling the boat, and checking for stress cracks, damage, repairs, and sound the hull.  Rubber mallets have a distinct sound when hit against different problems with hulls.  wet core, bondo patches, delamination can be found this way.