The Boat

The Mini Transat race was originally sailed in slightly modified cruising boats. Today, the boats are purpose designed and built and carry water-ballast, a large rig and are flat and wide.

There are two types of Open 6.50's. The Protos which are often cutting edge design, using hi-tech materials and sophisticated rig- and keel configurations. The Pogos are one-design boats and use simpler materials and set-ups.

Traditionally, the mini fleet is split evenly between Protos and Pogos. They race directly against each other but each group also has their separate ranking.

My boat, hull number 386, is a proto design. The following are the details:

Sail Number:		386
Designer:		Roland / Mergui
Length:		6.50 meter
Beam:		2.94 meter
Mast:		12.25 meter
Draft:		1.95 meter
Weight:		840 Kg
Sail area:		100m2 (down-wind)
Building Material:		Carbon and Glass fibre

The hull is built with a foam core sandwiched between a glass-fibre skin. All the major stress areas such as the keel attachment, are carbon fibre reinforced for extra strength. The rig is made of aluminium with a 3 spreader mast and an articulate bowsprit. The appendages include a fixed keel, forward dagger-board and double rudders. I also have Water-ballast for improved performance.