I mentioned that a number of really tiny sailboats were arriving in Antigua over the last week or so and marveled at how mini they really are.
And, they seem particularly mini when the harbor is so full of maxi and super and maximum maxi.
These boats, and there are 18 of them here now, have just finished a qualifying run to Antigua from Logos in Southern Portugal, in order to participate in the Mini Globe round-the-world race that starts from Antigua next week.
I am told that the race will begin off of Pigeon Beach which is right near Pandora.
Each of these boats are of the exact same design and yesterday I stopped over at the Sailing Academy in Falmouth, where they are all docked, to have a look at the fleet.
They are set up to be water tight. A good idea given the fact that they are likely to be banged around quite a bit as they make their way around the world. I’m imaging how it would feel to be inverted… Not great.
Even the companionway down below is a waterproof hatch so nothing will cause them to down-flood if they roll, and given how tiny these boats are, it seems to me that rolling might be likely.
I am sure that they will run into some pretty sporty conditions. I found this photo. And the waves aren’t even that big. Big wave, little boat.
With my own trans-Atlantic run to the Azores coming up, I continue to think about the threat of an orca biting off my rudder. These minis have a rudder as well as two dagger-boards on the stern, I guess for stability. I wonder if the “eyes” on these are to deter orcas or at least make them think twice about taking a chomp.
And, speaking of visibility, some of them have plexiglass domes on the cabin top so they can peek out when things are unpleasant. Perhaps they can also keep an eye on orcas if the boat is upside down.
These boats are a “one design” and are all built from the exact same plans. Many of them are home built and all are made from plywood. My impression is that they are finished to a very high degree.
While the group in the race number under 20, more than 100 of these boats have been built, many from pre-cut kits.
Not a lot of room below. To see them up close makes them look even smaller.
But the route is anything but small.
I met one of the skippers/owner, a guy named Jakub, born in Poland but hailing from Ireland with his boat “BiBi of Cork”. I should have taken a photo of him, but I didn’t. This is his photo on the race website.
His boat, on the outside rafted up, #185.
This is a short video that describes these boats in some detail.
These minis are not the only ones preparing to race in Antigua as they prepare for their Monday start, bound for Panama. If you want to keep track of the boats once they leave on Monday February 24th, follow this link.
Monday is also the start for the RORC Caribbean 600 ocean race and it has attracted a big crowd of yachts that are anything but mini. Try super-maxi. And, to track them as well. This link will be live as of Monday too, I expect.
This is considered one of the toughest ocean races in the world. The course, 600 miles, winds itself around a number of islands and back to Antigua.
There are dozens of go fast machines leaving and returning to the harbor every day as they participate in tune-up races.
The boats and crew are maxi in every way.
Tall mast, really tall…
And, they seem even taller when you note the tiny crew member perched up high on the mast.
One after another, they come back after a day or racing, accompanied by their entourage. And, all their “stuff” is carted around the world in big 40′ shipping containers. This one has a small dink…
Others, three engine dinks… I guess that they ship those in a container too. And most if not all of the crew are professional. A campaign, racing around the world must cost millions.
Well, there you have it, racing all over the world, or around the world. I guess with the Mini class you can even do it with a modest budget.
Me, I’d rather sit at anchor and watch the “boys with their toys” pass me by.
I understand that both the Caribben 600 and the mini race both start here on Monday. The mini race just off of Pigeon beach, behind Pandora and the 600 outside of the harbor. I hope I can somehow see both.
The action will surely be great. See this video of last year’s Caribbean 600 race. Many of the same boats are here again.
It is quite a show.
So, how big is Pandora? That’s a question I get asked a lot.
Well, compared to Minis, she’s a maxi but to others a mini.
Mini perhaps but not all that mini but big enough for me.
Well, at least until the waves get too big.