Skip to content
Contact me
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Challenge 72 Fleet

Legendary 72-foot steel yachts that raced the “wrong way” around the world.

What is a Challenge 72?

The Challenge 72 is a 22-metre (72 ft) one-design ocean-racing cutter created for Sir Chay Blyth’s BT Global Challenge—an around-the-world race sailed westabout, against the prevailing winds. Designed by naval architect Rob Humphreys and built of rugged steel, the twelve-strong class was purpose-built so amateur crews could safely tackle the Southern Ocean and Cape Horn.

Key Specifications:

  • Length overall (LOA): 72 ft / 22 m
  • Length waterline (LWL): 61 ft / 19 m
  • Beam: 18 ft / 5.4 m
  • Draught (full load): 10 ft / 3.05 m
  • Displacement (½ load): ≈ 40 tonnes
  • Ballast: 12.5 tonnes
  • Sail area (windward): 2 825 sq ft / 262 m²
  • Sail area (down-wind): 4 020 sq ft / 373 m²
  • Air draught: 95 ft / 29 m
  • Hull & deck: 50A mild-steel hull, stainless-steel deck
  • Builder: Devonport Yachts (10 hulls) & Kim’s Yacht Co. (2 hulls)
  • Designer: Rob Humphreys 

Fleet Directory (13 hulls including the prototype)

 
Hull No. Current Name Operator / Home Waters Notable Former Race Name(s)
CB 36 CatZero CatZero – Hull, UK Prototype
CB 37 Sea Dragon Pangaea Exploration – USA / Pacific Save the Children; Barclays Adventurer
CB 38 Challenger 1 / Oona Tall Ships Youth Trust – UK Isle of Man; Spirit of Sark
CB 39 Challenger 2 / William PG Tall Ships Youth Trust – UK BP Explorer
CB 40 HMSTC Adventure Joint Services (MoD) – UK TeamSpirIT; Aviva (“Imagine it. Done”)
CB 41 Alba Explorer Ocean Youth Trust Scotland – Scotland LG Flatron; Samsung
CB 42 Challenger 4 / Margherita Tall Ships Youth Trust – UK Spirit of Hong Kong; Pindar
CB 43 HMSTC Discoverer Joint Services (MoD) – UK Veritas; Stelmar
CB 44 La Jolla Private – Germany Compaq; SAIC La Jolla
CB 45 Big Spirit Exeter Fabrication Ltd – UK Logica; BG Spirit
CB 46 Challenger 3 / Sarah Tall Ships Youth Trust – UK Norwich Union; Save the Children
CB 47 Challenge Wales Challenge Wales / Her Cymru – Wales Olympic Group; Spencers Dock (Vaio)
CB 48 Ironbarque OM Adventures – Worldwide Quadstone; Me to You

Design & Build Story

 

The brief

Sir Chay Blyth wanted yachts tough enough for 70-knot Southern-Ocean storms yet forgiving for novice crews.

Construction

Laser-cut steel panels were shipped as kits and welded together at Devonport. The approach kept costs down while guaranteeing every hull was identical.

Safety first

A distinctive “snake-pit” cockpit lets crew work halyards from below deck-level, protected from green water sweeping the deck.

Proven mileage

Collectively the fleet has logged well over 1.3 million nautical miles since launch, including two circumnavigations during the Global Challenge races.

Resources & Further Reading

 

Sail on One!

Media Gallery