BoatsBoothbay Challenger (Alden)

Boothbay Challenger (Alden)

Masthead Ketch · Keel/centreboard · 1968–1976

A tandem centerboard ketch available in center or aft cockpit configurations, designed by John G. Alden as design 1011

Designed by John G. Alden & Assoc, built by Hodgdon Bros.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.

Is it for you?

Character

Where this design lands on the numbers a shopper trusts — read straight from her own ratios.

LivelySea-kindly

Her heavy displacement on a narrow beam gives 48 — a heavy, notably soft motion offshore.

Comfort ratio 48
CoastalBluewater

At 1.62 she sits well under the 2.0 line — a solidly ocean-capable hull for her size.

Capsize screening 1.62
LightHeavy

345 — heavy for her waterline, built to carry stores and ride steadily.

Displacement / length 345
EasygoingPowered-up

17.4 — moderate power for her weight; steady, all-round performance.

Sail area / displacement 17.4
TenderStiff

22% of her weight is ballast — on the tender side; she'll heel readily and want a reef sooner.

Ballast 22%

Built heavy and sea-kindly — a boat made to cross oceans and forgive a rough night.

  • Heavier than ~86% of boats her size on file
  • Draws more than ~91% of boats her size on file

Compared with 118 boats of the same type within a quarter of her length.

The record

Full specifications

The complete reference set — tap any figure to switch between metric and imperial.

Dimensions
Weights
Ballast / displacement
22.1%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Ketch
Ratios
SA / displacement
17.4
Displacement / length
345.3
Comfort ratio
47.6
Capsize screening
1.62
Hull speed
8.6 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
2222
Hull
Hull type
Keel/Cbrd.
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Lead
Production
Years built
1968–1976
Units built
14
Designer
John G. Alden, Assoc
Builder
Hodgdon Bros

Boats like this, on the water

Nobody has filmed this one — but these are close.

Comparable boats the fleet has on camera: same type, within a quarter of her length. Open the boat, or watch the video — a timestamp means she only appears in passing.

Morgan Yachts Out Island 5115.70 mSame hull family2.2 m shorterA heavy-displacement staysail ketch with a keel-centerboard configuration designed for comfortable long-range cruising
Irwin Yachts 5416.46 mSame hull family1.4 m shorterA 16.46-metre staysail ketch with a 39.9 comfort ratio, built since 1988 for stable, long-range cruising
Bristol Yachts 45.513.79 mSame hull family4.1 m shorterA heavy-displacement masthead sloop with a 3.35-metre keel-centerboard draft, built for deep-water cruising performance
Little Harbor 4413.51 mSame hull family4.4 m shorterA 13.5-metre cruiser with a 39.72 comfort ratio, built since 1983 for stable, heavy-displacement passage making
Alden Yachts 5416.48 mSame hull family1.4 m shorterAn extended-stern evolution of the 50-foot series, available in both center and aft cockpit layouts as well as cutter or ketch
Brewer 4413.41 mSame hull family4.5 m shorterA stretched evolution of the 12.8 featuring a reverse transom and a versatile keel-centerboard configuration

The family

Related models

The designs closest to hers — usually the rest of the builder's range, sometimes the same hull sold under another name.

Keep looking

Nothing filmed of this one yet

Two ways to keep looking — both search what the fleet has actually recorded.

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