Challenged America’s Fleet

The Challenged America fleet of vessels may vary from month to month, dependent upon donations and sales of program boats.

Our permanent fleet is composed of :

Eight (8) “Martin 16″ sloops:

The Martin 16 is clearly a breakthrough in keelboat design. The stability of the keel makes it a very safe boat for people with severe disabilites. The high lift keel makes trailer launching simple from any ramp and can be easily rigged and sailed by one person.

As a sport and recreation, sailing can allow people with severe disabilities to sail without compromise along side able-bodied persons. From its inception the Martin 16 was designed to be accessible to all sailors. Stability and adjustable seating as well as specialized control systems make the Martin 16 ideal for sailors with mobility impairments. The Martin 16 offers optional automated systems for steering, sail sheeting and bilge pumping.

The Martin 16 uses technology and innovative design to bring the many joys of sailing to severely disabled sailors. Listed below are some of the unique features of the Martin 16.

* Easily driven – narrow, long hull for performance and control.
* Dry and comfortable due to the high freeboard and forward helm seat with spray deck and special spray damping deck flange.
* Stability is provided by a computer designed lead ballast pod at the tip of a deep, high performance lifting keel foil.
* The cockpit features a fully adjustable, ergonomically designed helm seat forward with a second seat aft to accommodate a passenger or instructor.
* Optimum control with minimum sheet load is obtained with vang sheeting for both mainsail and jib.
* Sail Controls are all led to a fully adjustable cockpit mounted control console directly forward of the helmsperson.
* A unique ” Joystick” controls the responsive transom hung rudder. Extremely safe.
* Designed with multiple buoyancy compartments, the Martin 16 is sailable… even with the hull totally flooded!

Don’t get me wrong, stable and safe does not mean boring, the Martin 16 is a fast and lively performance boat that will satisfy both able and disabled sailors.

The Martin 16 is the primary vessel used in the Challenged America program, from learn-to-sail to advanced sailing and racing programs

 

One (1) Capri 22 “We Can Too”:

The Capri 22 was designed and built by the well known Catalina Yachts company of California has been winning sailors since her first introduction. 22ft long with a small cabin, a large comfortable and safe cockpit and a full set of racing sails make our Capri 22 a lively and fast sailboat used in all Challenged America programs, from learn to sail to racing.

“We Can Too” regularly competes in regattas on the big bay

One (1) Caribe RIB 14′ chase boat

The Caribe is a semi rigid inflatable boat; a rigid V hull allows for easy passage in the waves and the inflatable pontoons gives it stability.  The Caribe has been in our fleet for some time now and was a little small and under powered and will soon be  replaced by our newly donated Donzi ZF23

One (1) Donzi Z23 sportsdeck  23′ chase boat

The Donzi is the latest donation to enter our fleet.  the boat, built by the world famous speedboat builder Donzi  Marine combines the comfort of an open boat and the speed one can expect from a Donzi.  The boat will allow us to safely and comfortably insure safety and facilitate instruction.

One (1) Nelson/Marek 43 (B’Quest II):

The Nelson/Marek 43 is a custom offshore racing machine used for the Challenged America advanced programs and was regularly entered in local and offshore races like the Newport to Ensenada, Bishop Rock and Transpac.

Due to the rules associated with boat donations, to ensure maximum allowable tax deduction to the donor, we had to sell B’Quest II. B’Quest left our program and is with her new owner Dennis Conner, keeping on with her tradition, she is still winning races.

We are now looking for another owner or owners eager to maximize their tax deductions by donating a 40ft to 60ft boat.

The advanced/racing program allowed Challenged America to enter and successfully compete in the Transpac in 2003 and 2005 and our goal is to enter that famous offshore race again in 2013.

One (1) Grand Bank 42

The Grand bank 42 is our newest donation, it is presently on dry dock at the Nielsen Beaumont Marina boatyard for a extensive modifications and repairs thanks to Nielsen Beaumont and donations from local businesses.

Follow the transformation

Photos of our fleet:

 

In addition to our permanent fleet, we also have several boats for sale.

These boats were donated but do not fit our program or cannot cost effectively be modified for use by disabled sailors. If you are looking for an affordable boat, contact us via email or phone:

If you have a boat, sail or power and are looking to maximize your tax advantage or have not found a buyer, feel free to contact us and discuss how Challenged America can help you maximize value and tax advantage.

Call us at 619-523-9318 or