CHALLENGE II is a custom built 1967 classic that is captain maintained without regard for expense. Ed Monk design, cold molded fiberglass construction, triple engine Cummins VT903 power w/recent overhaul, 2x 30kW Northern Lights generators, 2700 gal long range fuel capacity, Challenge II is a veteran of the California - Hawaii crossing. This vessel is extraordinary and must be seen to be appreciated. Reduced for immediate sale at $395,000
Had 30,000 hours on them and were still running trouble free ...they decided to overhaul them before a trip to Panama just because it was probably time.
Great boat. Been watching her since 1978 in Newport when I was a deckhand on the Western Pride. She was top dog then and can still run with the best of them. Hope she finds a good home.
I love the looks of this Elliott. The 3 engine layout certainly is intriguing. Is there a recent hull survey? Im on the east coast, but I just keep looking at this boat.
Like the boat design & layout a lot. Seem to find the West Coast Yachts have a lot of characteristics that suit our Australian East Coast Boating, as in Tollycraft 65's (what I would do now to have a 65' or the 68' Tollycraft that could be bought a few years ago for the right money!). However the 3 engines just cause me to shudder & ask "Why?" It's hard enough to keep the maintenance up on twin mains plus one generator. Also a subject I have been meaning to raise as a seperate thread: why on earth do you need 2 generators with 3 main engines? Far rather have a cruising alternator as a standby generator on the 3rd engine, or have one in any case even if I had just twin engines. It always amazes me that so many yachts under 70 feet have 2 generators & no cruising alternators on the mains! The logic is that you have the ability to create refrigeration & other electrical power as a standby at anytime using the main/s engine at anytime should the one generator fail. It is just another extra piece of complex machinery to purchase & maintain. Still, great boat...
No, it’s for top end speed. There is no rudder behind the center engine. Consider the technology available in 1967. In reality the boat has traveled to many remote locations mostly at around 10 knots. The center engine is rarely used.
Interesting. I appreciate that the rudders on the external engines would be much less effective with only the mid one running, but aren't they at least sufficient to control the boat in benign conditions? Economy aside, I guess it could make sense to "spread" the wear among all three blocks...
The Elliott yacht Challenge II original name Capricorn. I was involved during the build and as skipper aboard for the first two years. The original engines were Cummins 370T. The boat was used locally in Southern California until July 1971 with a deck load of fuel Capricorn made the voyage to the big Island Hawaii where the owner had a estate in Kailua, Kona. Capt John Kilgore became captain and for the next 7 years was docked at the Honokohou Harbor with fishing throughout the Hawaiian Islands. During 1978 I brought the boat back to Marina del Rey where it was repowered with the newer cummins 903 mains then sold to Abb Lawrence and renamed Challenge II and moved to Cabo San Lucas to become an early years charter boat in Cabo. Abb Lawrence sold the boat to Rick Smith who would own the boat for many years while fishing all over the Pacific.
Incidentally the boat did sell and is now PRIMETIME. Just completed a refit and is running fishing charters in San Diego.