A new plywood Class Globe 5.80 yacht was officially launched today (despite the sudden closure of the HISWA Boat Show in Amsterdam yesterday) and is attracting serious interest from sailors around the world. Hundreds are now waiting for the release of building plans (that cost just Euro €300) so they can start building their dream.

We are surprised and excited at the level of interest and passion expressed for this little plywood Mini-Mini that I love and cannot wait to sail. We have schools talking about building fleets, friends getting together to build two or three side by side and yacht clubs wanting to know more. Even Top name sailors are looking to have some fun on a simple boat for a change, where the human element is more important than the technology. This little yacht with a big heart, for even bigger adventures has a strong future for sure!

Don McIntyre, Founder of the Globe 5.80 Class

The concept for this unique One Design Class 5.80-meter yacht developed by Australian Adventurer Don McIntyre (organiser of the goldengloberace.com and oceangloberace.com ) and designed by Polish sailor Janusz Maderski, goes against the modern trend of high-tech, extreme foiling yachts.

Instead, it returns to the most basic principles of a simple, strong, safe and affordable ocean-going Mini Racer, that anyone can build using simple tools. It also tows behind a family car and can easily ship in a 20ft container to, or from international events. This idea resonates well with sailors young and old, who had over the years been left behind in the rush for ultimate speed with corresponding extreme budgets costing 10x more. Messages of support for this Class Globe 5.80 are arriving from excited sailors everywhere.    

International and National Class Associations are being established to support local racing and International events.

The Class Globe 5.80 Association has established controls and simple guidelines to monitor construction, with all owners required to create an online blog, including clear photos and descriptions of their build process. Building materials are specified, simple surveys are carried out on the steel plate lead bulb keel, critical rudder and chain plate components are supplied by the 5.80 Class and minimum build weights set and checked. 

On March 21, Globe 5.80 plans will be released to experienced builders ONLY.  First time amateurs will need to wait until June 1 to receive their plans. This allows time for them to watch and learn from online blogs of the first and second prototypes (one building in Poland by Piotr Czarniecki for Don McIntyre and a second built with well-known Dutch timber boat builders KOLIBRI) which take approx. 500 hours to build. Other builds will quickly be underway in France, Australia, Argentina, Russia, America, Italy, Britain and Spain, so language will not be a problem.

Sailing events, including a planned Solo 5.80 Transatlantic Race in November 2021 from Portugal to the Caribbean and a world first Mini Globe Race (via Panama) in 2024, will require minimum sailing experience standards and skipper training, specified safety equipment and boat surveys to minimise risk.

All the details are available on the www.ClassGlobe580.com website opening today for the first time.

Note: A few sailors have mentioned that the name Class Globe 5.80 may cause confusion with Classe Mini 6.50. In the spirit of sailing and goodwill, not wishing to cause confusion, we have entered discussions with the Mini 6.50 Association on a way forward, so both parties enjoy the freedom of the Oceans and challenging events.

Don McIntyre Class Globe 5.80 Founder

Don McIntyre is the founder and underwriter of the goldengloberace.com the oceangloberace.com and the minigloberace.com. Follow him at mcintyreadventure.com.

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