Class Mini 5.80: 5.80 metres short: this is what the new self-build Mini will look like

The plans for the new self-build boat named Class Mini 5.80 was to be announced at the Dutch boat show "Hiswa" in Amsterdam. However, this was cancelled due to the coronavirus. Nevertheless, Don McIntyre, founder of the new boat class, has now published the plans for the boat.

Self-built ocean-going mini

It is a bent plywood crack by Polish yacht designer Janusz Maderski. He has already designed the Setka A, a five-metre-long boat that takes part in a transatlantic race every four years. The Class Mini 5.80 is therefore a further development of the Setka A. Unlike this small offshore boat, a Mini 5.80 will, for example, have two watertight bulkheads, a small skeg in front of the rudder and a larger sail area.

McIntyre has founded an international class association for this new standardised class. "My vision is that there will also be many national class associations," says the 65-year-old Australian, who has already devised the re-runs of the Golden Globe Race and the Whitbread Round The World Race.

In future, the 5.80 metre short self-built boat made of plywood will be used for ocean races on the Atlantic and even around the world. It should be as seaworthy as it is affordable. A Class Mini 5.80 regatta is scheduled to take place across the Atlantic as early as autumn 2021, in which McIntyre himself wants to take part. Two boats are already under construction.

Great interest

"The Mini 5.80 should be fun to build and affordable. It's about enjoying the project and becoming part of an international community of self-builders and sailors," says McIntyre in an interview with YACHT online. Interest in the boat is high.

With a length of 5.80 metres, it should be easy to transport in a 20-foot container, but can also be trailered.

Until 1 June 2020, only sailors who have already built a boat themselves or have experience in boat building will be able to buy plans. Everyone who builds a boat must document the construction process in a public blog. Among other things, this is intended to ensure that the building regulations of the class association are adhered to. On the other hand, anyone who is interested should be able to get an idea of how the boat building process works.

Plans and costs

All blogs are published on the Website of the class association. From 1 June, anyone will be able to buy the construction plans, which will cost 300 euros, in an online shop on the website. The material for the construction must be purchased separately. A list of the required materials will be provided.

Don McIntyre says about the costs for the complete boat build: "It's difficult to say in general terms and will vary greatly from person to person. For example, it will depend on which country you are building in and how high the material costs are there. However, we have roughly estimated that if you do everything yourself, you can get by with 6000 euros for a basic version that you can go sailing with. But without a trailer and without safety equipment. That will certainly have to be estimated at another 20,000 euros for the ocean races."

The full interview with Don McIntyre on the new self-build Mini 5.80 will appear in YACHT 8/2020, which will be available in stores from 1 April.