VERSILCRAFT CHALLENGER 75 — “JULIETTE”

A beautifully refitted Italian flybridge yacht — an extensive programme of works completed within the last twelve months

Built by Versilcraft in Viareggio in 1986 and fitted out by Sanlorenzo, Juliette is a substantial 22.5-metre Italian motor yacht offering a rare combination of classic styling, generous accommodation and serious cruising capability.

Her current owner has invested heavily in the yacht over a number of years, with major mechanical, electrical and interior works carried out to bring her to a high standard of comfort and usability.

This is not a yacht being offered as a refit project. The major expenditure has already been undertaken, allowing her next owner to concentrate on enjoying the boat rather than rebuilding it.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 22.5m / 73ft 10in Versilcraft Challenger 75
• Fitted out by Sanlorenzo
• 3 x 760hp MAN diesels — fully rebuilt
• 1,700 engine hours from new — approximately 500 since the rebuild
• 1,000nm range at 10 knots — 20 knot maximum speed
• New electronic engine controls
• Complete 24V and 240V electrical rewire
• Solar panel system and Rolls battery bank
• Full bridge rebuild with Raymarine glass displays
• Radar, AIS, autopilot, VHF and vessel monitoring
• CMC Waveless zero-speed stabilisers
• Bow and stern thrusters with wireless controls
• 25kVA Fischer Panda generator
• Rebuilt 12kVA Beta backup generator
• Mactra automatic watermaker
• Five-cabin accommodation
• New en-suite bathroom to every cabin
• Fully rebuilt saloon with 21 new windows
• Walnut flooring and extensive interior refurbishment
• New galley and appliances
• Dual Webasto heating with underfloor heating
• Reverse-cycle air conditioning
• 800kg hydraulic crane with reinforced flybridge deck
• Starlink and Raymarine camera system
• New teak bathing platform and extensive exterior work

THE YACHT

Juliette has the proportions and presence of a classic Italian flybridge motor yacht, combined with the practical features expected of a modern cruising vessel.

Her 6m beam provides an exceptionally generous interior, while the five-cabin arrangement makes her particularly well suited to family cruising and extended time aboard.

The accommodation comprises a master double, two twin guest cabins and two further forward twin cabins, each with its own newly fitted en-suite bathroom. The interior has been extensively refurbished, with new headlining, mattresses and cushions, a new galley and appliances, walnut flooring and trim, and a rebuilt main saloon incorporating a bar area and additional storage.

The saloon itself has undergone a particularly significant rebuild, including 21 new windows, giving the main living space a fresh and contemporary feel while retaining the character of the original yacht.

MACHINERY & SYSTEMS

The three 760hp MAN main engines were fully rebuilt approximately seven years ago and fitted with new electronic controls, the work complemented at the time by a comprehensive rewire of the 24V and 240V systems and by new skin fittings, seacocks and stern seals. They show 1,700 hours from new, approximately 500 of them since the rebuild. The heavy structural and mechanical expenditure on this yacht was therefore settled some years ago, and what has followed has been refinement rather than rescue.

That refinement has been concentrated into the last twelve months, and it has been extensive. A new 25kVA Fischer Panda generator now runs alongside the rebuilt Beta 12kVA backup unit, joined by a solar array. The Rolls domestic battery bank dates from 2020, with the engine start and bow thruster batteries renewed in 2025. CMC waveless zero-speed stabilisation has been fitted, together with a Mactra fully automatic watermaker and wireless controls to the bow and stern thrusters. The exhaust lagging has been renewed and engine room ventilation improved, and a dual Webasto diesel heating system with remote starting now serves the whole yacht alongside the reverse-cycle air conditioning.

On her three rebuilt MANs Juliette cruises comfortably at 10 knots for a combined 60 litres per hour, giving a genuine 1,000 nautical mile range from her 6,500 litre fuel capacity with reserve in hand. She will run to 20 knots when required. With 1,000 litres of fresh water backed by the automatic watermaker, she is well set up for extended passage-making and long periods at anchor.

The result is a yacht with a substantial amount of the costly and disruptive ownership work already behind her — the major mechanical investment long since made, and the systems around it renewed within the past year.

BRIDGE & TECHNOLOGY

The bridge has been completely rebuilt and fitted with a modern Raymarine navigation suite, including three glass bridge displays, radar, AIS, autopilot, VHF and intercom.

A touchscreen vessel and engine monitoring system integrates with the electronic engine controls, while Starlink and a Raymarine camera system provide useful modern connectivity and monitoring capabilities.

EXTERIOR & FLYBRIDGE

The large flybridge provides an excellent entertaining and cruising space, with a bar and icemaker, new cushions and a substantial 800kg hydraulic crane.

The flybridge deck has been reinforced to accommodate the crane, while the bathing platform has received new teak. The foredeck has been recaulked and the hull and topsides repainted.

WHY “JULIETTE”?

The attraction of Juliette is straightforward: she offers the space, presence and cruising capability of a much larger yacht, while a significant programme of investment has already addressed many of the major costs associated with owning a yacht of this age and size.

For a buyer seeking a genuine Italian flybridge motor yacht with five-cabin accommodation, substantial machinery and systems upgrades, and the ability to cruise immediately rather than embark on a lengthy refit, Juliette deserves serious consideration.

A distinctive, substantial and extensively refitted Versilcraft — ready for her next owner and her next adventure.