The Project

ClassGlobe 5.80 is a new class of yacht created to make Ocean racing cost accessible.

The ClassGlobe 5.80 has been initiated by Don McIntyre who recently ran the Golden Globe Race. Working together with designer Janusz Maderski they have created a yacht to be built from a Plywood structure and covered with a layer of fibreglass. Their design returns to the basic principles of a simple, strong, safe and affordable ocean-going mini racer. It’s geared towards the home builder, who should be able to construct it using simple tools and with little experience. I guess we will put this to the test.

Builders buy a set of plans for 300 Euro’s from the ClassGlobe website, sign an Licence to build the yacht and away they go. In order to take part in future events builders are required to adhere to class standards for safety, consistency of build quality and yacht capability. The aim is to produce true sailor versus sailor racing rather budget versus budget of many modern high tech classes.

Future events include a Transat (Europe to the Caribbean) in November 2021, a AZAB (Europe to the Azores and back) in 2022 and a full Round the World Race in 2024. And in the mean time plenty of coastal and near off-shore fun to be had.

The class website is at www.classglobe580.com