BoatsChallenger 7.4

Challenger 7.4

Masthead Sloop · Fin keel, spade rudder · 1974–1980

A 1974-1980 fin-keeled masthead sloop with a 52% ballast ratio, commonly found with outboard power

Designed by Alex McGruer.

LOA
Beam
Draft (max)
Displacement
Ballast
Hull type
Fin w/spade Rudder

Is it for you?

Character

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

TrailerableBeam 2.49 m — inside the 2.55 m no-permit tow width across most of Europe, and the 2.59 m US and Canadian limit. About 1,814 kg of hull, so roughly 2,400 kg on a trailer: check that against your own towing rating.Shoal draftDraws 1.04 m, board up where she has one — creeks, sandbars and thin anchorages most keels have to stay out of.
LivelySea-kindly

Her light displacement on a moderate beam gives 17 — a quick, lively motion that feels every wave.

Comfort ratio 17
CoastalBluewater

2.06 — right around the 2.0 line, the edge between coastal and offshore.

Capsize screening 2.06
LightHeavy

164 — light for her waterline, so she is easily driven and quick to accelerate.

Displacement / length 164
EasygoingPowered-up

14.3 — modest power for her weight; easygoing rather than lively, and happier with a breeze.

Sail area / displacement 14.3
TenderStiff

52% of her weight is ballast — very stiff, carrying full sail in a blow.

Ballast 52%

Light and lively — happiest day-sailing and coastal-hopping in settled weather.

  • Draws less than ~82% of boats her size on file

Compared with 1433 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
52.3%
Rig & sail area
Rig
Masthead Sloop
Ratios
SA / displacement
14.3
Displacement / length
163.9
Comfort ratio
16.5
Capsize screening
2.06
Hull speed
6.3 kn
Pounds / inch immersion
647
Hull
Hull type
Fin w/spade rudder
Construction
Fiberglass
Ballast type
Iron
Production
Years built
1974–1980
Units built
800
Designer
Alex McGruer
Builder
Challenger Yachts Ltd

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.

Dehler Yachts 25CR7.50 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Van de Stadt-designed fractional sloop with a high sail area-to-displacement ratio built for spirited performance
International 8068.06 mSame hull family0.6 m longerA Pelle Petterson-designed fractional sloop with a skeg-hung rudder, built for performance since 1974
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 24.27.30 mSame hull familyNear-identical lengthA Jacques Fauroux-designed fractional sloop built for coastal cruising with a stable fin-and-bulb keel
Maxi Yachts 777.70 mSame hull family0.3 m longerThe most popular model in the builder's history, offering both inboard and outboard engine options for versatile cruising
Martinique 257.70 mSame hull family0.3 m longerA Brazilian-built masthead sloop with a 44% ballast ratio, offering a stiff and stable platform for coastal cruising
Cal 257.62 mSame hull family0.2 m longerA flush-deck masthead sloop featuring a pop-top companionway that became one of the most popular models in the fleet

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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