Here’s how round-the-world sailing becomes low-cost

On Feb. 23, 2025, the McIntyre Mini Globe Race (MGR), a solo round-the-world voyage aboard the new Globe Class 580, an original, compact mini that can be built at home and greatly reduces the cost of participation, will start. In an age of managerial sailors, regattas from big sponsors, and boats hiding million-dollar budgets, is it still possible to sail the ocean on the cheap?
The McIntyre Mini Globe Race (MGR), a solo round-the-world voyage starting on Feb. 23, 2025, is a striking demonstration that it can be done.
It is an epic, one-of-a-kind voyage destined to redefine the canons of solo sailing.
The secret of this new competition that will test the physical and psychological endurance of its participants, but not their pockets, lies in the boats used.
It is the new Globe Class 580, a mini with an original design just 5.80 meters long that can be made of marine plywood with do-it-yourself in the backyard.
Cost of the operation?
Under 50,000 euros.
That is 400 times less than it would take to outfit a boat of the futuristic Ultim class worth 20 million euros.
Not only that, but thanks to its compact size, the Globe Class 580 can be stowed safely in a 6-meter container and shipped cheaply anywhere in the world.

Globe Class 580: construction plan at 300 euros!

The idea for the McIntyre Mini Globe Race came about because of Australian adventurer Don McIntyre (former organizer of the Golden Globe Race) during his 2010 adventure aboard an open wooden whaler, crossing the Pacific for 4,000 miles with very little food, water and no map, recreating William Bligh’s voyage during the Mutiny of the Bounty.
McIntyre, in collaboration with Polish architect Janusz Maderski, launched the one-design class in 2019, offering simple construction plans for 300 euros.
Builders can also opt for a CNC pre-cut plywood kit, supported by an active online community of builders.
Currently, more than 80 boats are in various stages of completion, of which about 20 are already in the water and another 140 builders are making as many plans.

There are 18 loners already registered, including 2 women

With 6 months to go before the start of the new round-the-world race, there are already 18 registered soloists: 16 men and two women from 11 nationalities.
Before the main event, all of them must complete a 3,600-mile solo qualifying navigation across the Atlantic.
The journey begins on December 28, 2024 from Marina de Lagos, Portugal, continues to Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, and ends at the National Sailing Academy in Antigua.
The round-the-world voyage proper, on the other hand, will involve a 28,000-mile course, also starting and ending at the National Sailing Academy in Antigua.
The first leg takes the sailors to Shelter Bay Marina, Panama, where the boats will be transported by land to the Pacific.
The second leg, beginning March 23, 2025, covers 6,500 miles to Vuda Marina in Fiji, with mandatory stops in the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, and Tonga.
The third leg covers 10,000 miles to Cape Town, South Africa, with stopovers in Darwin, Mauritius, and Durban.
The fourth and final leg of 7,000 miles will begin on December 22, 2025, with stops in St. Helena and Recife, Brazil, before the final sprint to Antigua, scheduled for late March 2026.

Because it is a different race from the others

Unlike other solo regattas, MGR participants sail as independent travelers: each sailor is responsible for his or her own travel plans, logistics, and safety management, under the supervision of individually appointed safety managers.
These managers report to the MGR event management, but remain primarily responsible for their sailors, 24 hours a day, for the duration of the event.
In short, down with the budget and up with adventure!
With the McIntyre Mini Globe Race there will be fun to be had….