The Challenge Dinghy was  designed by the Bill O'Brien in 1971 as a 'High Perfomance' Dinghy for the racing enthusiast. At 5.03m long and with 14.5m2 of fore and aft sails there was always going to be the obvious comparison with the 5o5.

This situation was even more apparent when the Challenge was established on Southampton Water at the 'old'  Weston Sailing Club when it was based   at the 'Seaweed Hut'. When Weston moved to its current location the decision was taken to only support a certain number of adopted classes. With Weston supporting some of the worlds best 5o5 sailors such as Larry Marks the Challenge was dropped which left the sailors with the choice of changing to 5o5s or moving to the growing fleet at Southampton Sailing Club.

Most Challenges were built in ply, although GRP hulls were to be moulded as an option. Like so many ply/home construction dingies of that era, time has not been kind. It was thought until recently that there were no surviving hulls but one has recently reappeared and is undergoing some restoration.

Further details on this boat will be posted on the website as they become available.

DO YOU KNOW OF A CHALLENGE - OR IT'S SMALLER BROTHER, THE DARING?

If so - please contact us via the website, we'd love to come and photograph /document your boat.

Hard chine meant easier home construction - though the large flat panels would make GRP construction down to weight very difficult.

General view of the Challenge Hull showing the very flat run aft

The very flat run aft left a somewhat ungainly transom...............

Which belies the sharp, easily driven bow section. Sadly the Challenge never really lived up to it's name in competing with the dominant boats of the day, the 5o5, Hornet and Fireball.