Huge Beam, Giant Rigs, Maxi Sprits
Early in October, 2013 I took the train from London to Portsmouth, ferry to St Malo, and cycled across Brittany via back roads and canal towpaths to see the solo Mini Transat race start in Douarnenez, near the north-western tip of France. Another big fleet of 84 MINI 6.5 meter (21′ 3″) designs had gathered there in late September. My first sight of the fleet from a bridge high above the narrow harbor confirmed what I already knew about their evolution: all modern Minis are built to the maximum allowed–beam 3m (9’10″) and draft 2m (6’6″), and have rotating bowsprits, super tall rigs, and huge sailplans.
Here’s some background on this incredibly successful small-boat phenomenon: since 1977, a fleet of Minis yachts has raced across the Atlantic via the tradewind route every two years, first from SW England, then moving the start to NW France . Enthusiasm for the Mini reaches all over continental Europe (and occasionally to the English-speaking world), and inspires sailors of all ages and abilities to fulfill their dream of competing in a world-class long-distance competition, for far less than any comparable event. (More than 860 Minis have been built, and good used boats can be found for $40,000 and up.)
The Transat is a major event on the European yachting calendar, and more than a hundred sailors compete for a coveted entry slots, with the fleet capped at 84 boats. A point system based on previous activity in the class is used to decide who makes the cut. There are two Mini classes: production boats called “Series” and one-offs called “Protos.” Over the years, the length has remained the same, but the rest of the rules have evolved to encourage a craft that is over-canvassed and super-wide (by any measure) and quite unlike any other.
The Series boats are strictly controlled: no modifications, no carbon, hull solid glass fiber, dacron sails, and fixed keels only. The Protos are limited only by the basic box rule length, beam of 3m (9’10”), draft of 2m (6’6″) and mast height above the water of 12m (39′). This open formula has led to a huge increase in the sail plan and made this the testing ground for many radical ideas including water ballast, canting keels, and rotating bowsprits 3.4m (11′) long to carry a giant 900-square foot spinnaker.
: How Safe Are 6.5m Minis?
1) As many as five big cruising yachts 50′ and up escort the Mini fleet across the Atlantic to provide help, repairs or rescue–what does this tell you?
2)With seven sails allowed, only one working jib with a reef is carried, to allow several big downwind sails. Tear the jib and you are out.
3) While it might seem convenient, trailering a Mini is not that simple. It is OVERWIDTH by 18″, stands nearly 10′ off the ground, and the mast overhangs the stern by 10 feet or so. How come the rules didn’t make the boat easier to transport or fit in a container with an 8′ beam and a lifting keel?
4) There is no sleeping space on most boats–I mean zero place to stretch out, and just a single burner camping stove hanging from the roof. Skippers talk blithely and routinely about crashing in the cockpit for half an hour for several days–this in northern Europe in the fall.
5) If a 21′ boat with a transom nearly 10′ wide is such a good idea, how come no one else has adopted it?
6) A long bowsprit was called a “widow maker” on down-east schooners. What do you call a bowsprit that is more than half the length of the boat?
7) The shortcomings in the design rules saw a real “breakthrough” in the last race when a round (or scow) bowed hull won easily. It was leading the race again this year. (If that is progress, you can keep it!)
8) The skippers reckon it costs at least $40,000 to buy a used series boat with decent sails and instruments. Add at least another $10,000 minimum for the cost of a campaign to qualify, including travel to and around France, trailering the boat, and hotels stays since you really can’t sleep on board. That is hardly a bargain!
9) Don’t forget the cost of shipping it back, because no one seriously wants to sail back to Europe. $50-60,000 to race a 21′ boat to the Caribbean is not affordable for most of the people the class was originally aimed at..
10) Despite all the advanced gear used, the class rules forbid the use of electronic displays for the GPS, insisting on paper charts only, the surrender of all cell phones, and no communication with anyone beyond VHF range. Go figure.
You can check on the race’s progress, and its failures at www.minitransat.fr (Click on the English flag in the top right corner)
