Class Globe 5.80: Interview with McIntyre: "The aim is to inspire people"

Mr McIntyre, you are the inventor of several adventure regattas such as the Golden Globe and the Ocean Globe Race. Recently, you introduced the Class Globe 5.80, a new do-it-yourself mini boat class - a boat designed for sailing around the world. How did you come up with this idea?

I've always loved small boats. When I was 18 years old, I read "Trekka - Round the World" by John Guzzwell (Born in England, he circumnavigated the globe from 1955 to 1959 in the smallest sailing boat to date, Red.) and read books by other mini-sailors. That inspired me. Later, I kept saying to myself: 'There will come a time when I will build a boat and sail across the Atlantic'. Shortly before Covid arrived, the time had come and I decided to build a small plywood boat. The thought occurred to me: if I want to do this, there must be lots of people who want to do it too. Then the pandemic hit and people started looking for projects.

You developed the Globe 5.80 together with the Polish designer Janusz Maderski, who already had experience with small boats such as the Setka A-Class. What was particularly important to you during the realisation?

It was crucial that we make it simple. The construction process is just as straightforward. Anyone can do it! That's important, because the aim of the class is to inspire people - just like it inspired me.

More about the Globe 5.80:

• Globe 5.80: Boatbuilding adventure: The first self-build minis are created
• Class Globe 5.80: German at the start of self-build Transat race

And how is the class being received?

Many are surprised at first, but more and more are enthusiastic. The adventure element in particular attracts many. More and more people are now following us on social networks. In the last year alone, our fan base has grown by 400 per cent. A few years ago, many people said: "Don't be stupid, this will never work." Fortunately, we kept going. I am convinced that it will inspire many.

You crossed the Atlantic in 2021 with your "Trekka", construction number 1. How does a Globe 5.80 sail?

Well, it's fantastic. You usually build the boat yourself, so you know every screw, every nut and every piece of wood. The boat may be small, but it is extremely robust and safe. Even in bad weather, it sails superbly. In short: you have great confidence in your boat. With a good self-steering system, it steers almost by itself.

It's like a survival capsule in which you travel 100 to 120 nautical miles a day.

If you want to sail in your regattas, you have to fulfil numerous safety requirements. Why are the requirements so strict?

You know, I've been involved in different adventures for a long time. And one thing is very important: when you are rescued, there comes a time when you have to look your rescuer in the eye and say that you have done everything you can to minimise the risks. That's why we are as close to category zero sailing safety regulations as is possible for a mini sailing yacht.

More about the Globe 5.80 Transat:

• Class Globe 5.80: First leg of the Atlantic crossing started
• Globe 5.80 Transat: German participant reaches Lanzarote

15 sailors take part in the Mini Globe Race and sail around the world in self-built minis. Describe the people who are embarking on such an adventure.

First of all, they are all dreamers. They have big goals and put them into practice. They are prepared to bring about change. They don't just follow others, but take the lead in their own way and broaden horizons. Interestingly, they are very different from each other - and not just in terms of their backgrounds and ages.

How do you perceive the mood among the participants?

There is a real team spirit among everyone involved. Those who are well organised help those who are lagging behind. Surely that will help them at sea, especially as they can communicate freely. They all know that they are embarking on this incredible endeavour. They are all helping each other. It's a great feeling.

• to the live tracker of the Globe 5.80 Transat race

Christian Sauer is the only German participant. How do you rate his performance so far?

I have to say, even before we left for Lagos, he was still building his boat. I thought: He'll never make it in time. The fact that they managed it after all was a tremendous team effort. I am really impressed. He also has great ideas and is very well prepared. Although he has a lot of equipment on board, he sails faster than I expected. But it's a long way to go. Who knows what it will take to complete the circumnavigation.