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Virgin Atlantic Challenger II

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Fishtigua, Mar 27, 2013.

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  1. Fishtigua, Mar 27, 2013
    #1
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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    It seems that VAC2 has been sold, at last, and is in the yard in Palma, Spain being prepared for a trip to return it to Plymouth, England for a rebuild. This 1986 Record Breaker has been sitting on the hard in various Med yards for decades under different owners.

    The Richard Branson funded record attempt to win the Blue Riband title across the Atlantic failed under a simple rules dispute but the boat made it to the finish line after 3 days and a refuel midway.

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  2. Capt Ralph, Mar 27, 2013
    #2
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I can not imagine allot of rules. Point a to point b in record time.
    Stopping for fuel could be questioned. Was that in the rules when the steamers were racing? Probably not a thought then.
  3. Fishtigua, Mar 27, 2013
    #3
    Fishtigua

    Fishtigua Senior Member

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  4. chuckb, Apr 27, 2013
    #4
    chuckb

    chuckb Senior Member

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  5. CTdave, May 9, 2013
    #5
    CTdave

    CTdave Senior Member

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    I know the late Tom Gentry won the ribbon in 1989. He had a similar vessel, the Gentry Eagle. I spent some time with him as a local guide when they were based in Greenwich, CT & did a bunch of trial runs, press conference rides and parties on Long Island Sound.
    They refueled three times on the way across & crushed Richard Branson's time by nearly a day as I recall. It was something like 60 hours.
    As far as the rule book, I agree that it's for "passenger carrying ships" but they have given it to these record breakers.

    The Gentry Eagle was converted into a pleasure yacht some time after.
  6. MountainGuy, May 10, 2013
    #6
    MountainGuy

    MountainGuy Member

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  7. PacBlue, Sep 27, 2013
    #7
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    Gentry Eagle pics taken this summer in Ventura Harbor, Ca, looked like no one was taking care of her.......:(

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  8. YachtForums, May 20, 2022
    #8
    YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I was just sent pics of Tom Gentry's Eagle. It landed in Ventura, CA twenty years ago and hasn't spread its wings since...

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    Capt Ralph likes this.
  9. RER, May 20, 2022
    #9
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    It's currently being cut up and loaded into a dumpster.
  10. Capt Ralph, May 20, 2022
    #10
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Please say that is not so.
    I do not understand why she was left to die this way.
  11. RER, May 20, 2022
    #11
    RER

    RER Senior Member

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    I’m afraid so, Ralph. In fact it looks like it’s already gone. I think it just happened in the last week or so. If you care to mourn with photos they are available on a website that Carl probably doesn’t want a link to here.
  12. mapism, May 21, 2022
    #12
    mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    It didn't take long to find it, and sadly it appears that you are correct.

    I would just take the opportunity to say that while I can see some reasons for not wanting links to other boating websites, IMHO in some cases like this is a bit annoying.
    It would be an added value also for YF threads, occasionally - no matter how tiny.