Challenger 680 WA

Despite the boat’s beam still having to be within the trailerable limit and the side decks wide enough so you don’t trip over your own feet, there is still a generous cabin space available. The Challenger 680 has a huge cabin that allows for two 2m plus berths, head and sitting headroom for 4-6 adults. The layout is a basic V berth formation with the portable or fully plumbed head in the centre under the forward berth, storage under both side squabs and full carpet lining throughout. There isn’t the space on the side for shelving, although extra storage compartments can be added to each of the rear bulkheads. The cabin floor is well below the cockpit floor level and it’s not self-draining, so make sure you keep it dry.  Extra lighting and ventilation is provided via a small Taylor deck hatch and for those who like their privacy you can add a pair of teak doors to the rear bulkheads.

The seating layout of the cockpit is limited due to the fully moulded bases that form part of the overall deck mould. Twin swivelling bucket seats are all that is provided in the standard package and if you want more, then a 3/4 transom box seat or squabs on the side steps can be added. I found the driving position the wrong height for me when seated as I looked straight at the top rail of the screen, but standing was fine. The split-level dash has been designed to mount good-sized electronic packages while leaving enough room for the necessary gauges and switches.

Although a hardtop option is not yet available, the bimini proved well matched to the boat and with the front and side clears in place you will feel well protected. I liked the solid stainless mounting of the canopy and the fact that with the removal of a few bolts the whole unit folded down into the cockpit, to lower the height when garaging.

Big So Pac hatches open to reveal massive storage areas under the seats and there is further storage provided in the transom and either side of the forward seats. The underfloor locker has been designed to cope with dive bottles and SCUBA gear and also doubles as a huge slurry bin for those big fish. How you divide this 2.5m long space off is your choice and the only restriction is the 180-litre alloy fuel tank forward. If you don’t think that 180 litres is going to be enough then Challenger Boats will build-in a long-range version. The twin batteries, oil tank, battery switch and fuel/water separator are mounted inside their own dry lockers at the transom. As this boat has been primarily set up for fishing, the rods are all stowed in the rocket launcher above, with the side recess mouldings used to mount the gaffs and tag poles.

Deep toe rails and high coamings mean you can lean right into the side of the cockpit and get excellent support when playing a good sized fish. Any mess you get aboard will quickly be flushed out through large scuppers either side of the self-draining cockpit, which goes outboard and not just into a sump and bilge pump arrangement. Flat coamings are good for divers and you have the option of a natural grp or teak finish. As already mentioned it was around the transom area that the most changes were made from the original boat. The rear deck has been lowered, the underwater of the portofino stern was lifted and the twin fish tanks are a whole lot bigger. There’s a drop-in acrylic stern door, which is wide enough to drag a100kg marlin through and a telescopic ladder for the divers.