5.80 Meters Short: This Is How The New Do-it-yourself Mini Should Look

The plans for the new do-it-yourself boat called Class Mini 5.80 should actually be announced at the Dutch boat show "Hiswa" in Amsterdam. But it was canceled due to the corona virus. Nevertheless, Don McIntyre, founder of the new boat class, has now published the plans for the boat.

Do-it-yourself high-sea mini

It is a chine crack made of plywood by the Polish yacht designer Janusz Maderski. He has already designed the set, a five-meter-long boat with which a transatlantic race takes place every four years. The Class Mini 5.80 is therefore a further development of the SetkA. Unlike this small offshore boat, for example, a Mini 5.80 should have two watertight bulkheads, a small skeg in front of the rudder and a larger sail area.

Photo gallery: Mini 5.80 and Setk - computer models and photos

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McIntyre has established an International Class Association for this new one-size-fits-all class. "My vision is that there will also be many national class associations," said the 65-year-old Australian, who has already devised the re-editions of the Golden Globe Race and the Whitbread Round The World Race.

With the 5.80 meter short self-made boat made of plywood, high seas regattas will be held on the Atlantic and even around the world. It should be as suitable for the ocean as it is affordable. A Class Mini 5.80 regatt across the Atlantic is expected to take place as early as autumn 2021, in which McIntyre himself wants to take part. Two boats are already under construction.

Huge interest

"The Mini 5.80 should be fun and affordable right from the start. It's about enjoying the project and becoming part of an international community of do-it-yourselfers and sailors," McIntyre said in an interview with YACHT online. The interest in the boat is high.

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

Until June 1, 2020, only sailors who have already built a boat themselves or who have experience in boat building should be able to buy plans. Anyone who builds a boat must document the building process on a public blog. This is to ensure, among other things, that the building regulations of the class association are complied with. On the other hand, everyone who is interested should first be able to get an idea of how boat building works.

Plans and costs

All blogs are summarized on the class association website. From June 1st everyone can buy the blueprints in an online shop on the website, which should cost 300 euros. The material for the construction must also be procured. A list of the materials required is provided.

Photo gallery: Plans for the ClassMini 5.80

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Regarding the cost of building the entire boat, Don McIntyre says: "It is difficult to say in general terms and will vary greatly from person to person. It will depend, for example, on the country in which you are building and how high the material costs are there. But we have made a rough estimate that, if you do everything yourself, you can get by on a basic version that you can go sailing with for 6,000 euros. However, without a trailer and without safety equipment. That will surely have to be estimated at around 20,000 euros for the offshore regattas."

The complete interview with Don McIntyre about the new DIY Mini 5.80 will appear in YACHT 8/2020, which will be available in stores from April 1st.