April Build Update
This new Mini 6.50 Prototype is starting to look like a boat! In the past few weeks, the team at JPS Production who is building it have made a lot of progress. The whole process of joining the deck to the hull was fascinating to see. I captured most of it on video, so make sure to check out the updates on social media with @pgnoceanracing (Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube).
Once all the bulkheads and stringers (support structure) were installed in the hull, the deck was then lifted on top. The team sanded and trimmed parts to ensure the two parts fit together perfectly. This involved lifting and lowering the deck many times to achieve the desired alignment.
Once all the surfaces were prepped, it was time to break out the glue. The team used a two part epoxy resin and laid a bead down along every seam where the deck and hull would meet. Then the deck was carefully lowered and aligned in place. Since the deck is so light, we were able to easily hold it as the lifting straps were removed. As the deck was pressed down into the epoxy, the final alignment was confirmed, and weights were added to hold down the deck in place.
With the deck bonded to the hull, we now have a boat! Gluing the deck down was just one step in the process. Inside, the team added additional epoxy and strips of carbon along seams. Additionally, along the red tape all around the edge of the deck and along some bulkheads down below, they infused additional carbon for an even stronger bond.
While the hull is progressing well, other parts are also in the process of being built. Last week the mold for the foils arrived and carbon will be laid on it soon.
On this mold, both foils that are designed to extend out of each side of the hull are lined up next to each other. The mold is a high density composite material that was tooled on a CNC machine, and then reinforced with plywood for structure and transportation.
There are also molds for the keel and rudders that will be used soon to build out all the appendages.
Have you listed to The Mini Transat Mission Podcast yet?
Become a Part of This Campaign!
Support this campaign by helping us launch with a tax deductible donation
As we enter the final stage of building this new proto, there is a long list of essential equipment and parts that must go into the boat. While we have some strong initial backing to start the build the boat, and have lowered the overall costs through support from technical partners, but there are still many things we could use your support with!
If you donate to sponsor a part of the boat, we can add your name to it and give you (or your company) shout outs during the installation and the sailing over the next two seasons!
Send me an email and let’s get you on the boat!
Email: peter@pgnoceanracing.com
In the last blog post, we officially announced our new partnership with Quantum Sails for this 2027 Mini Transat campaign. As we started to build the most advanced foiling Mini in the class, we needed a sailmaker who designs and builds sails focused on pushing performance boundaries. We also needed a brand that we trust. This quickly brought us back to Quantum Sails.
Now, we are returning to the race course with the newest fully foiling Mini 6.50 and Gildas Dubois is once again designing the sails. With fewer restrictions on sail material and design, this box rule provides ample room for design improvements and experimentation.
Dubois has been an integral part of the design and build process for this new boat. He was connected with the boat designer (Sam Manuard), yard building the boat (JPS Production), the mast builder (Heol), and the standing rigging builder (Light Speed Rigging). This involved multiple visits during the construction of the boat and mast for planning, design collaboration, and coordination.
Sam Manuard (Boat Designer), Jane Millman, Gildas Dubois (Quantum), Nicolas Groleau (JPS Production), Peter Gibbons-Neff in November 2025
I am excited to finally be able to share this news. There has been a ton of behind the scenes work to make it possible. Continue to follow to hear more about the design details. I cannot wait to explain the thought process and decisions we made for the new sails.
Thank you Quantum Sails for supporting this mission!
Check out the CCA article that was published in their Voyages magazine
We are now racing to Brazil!
The upcoming Mini Transat starts in September 2027 with 90 Minis crossing the starting line in La Rochelle, France. The fleet will set off to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the Canaries for a stop over, then race to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil.
This is exciting for the Classe Mini 6.50 fleet since now we will be crossing both the Atlantic Ocean and equator in the same race. This revived route is already a part of the long history of the race, because it had previously been used six times from 2001-2011.
Sailing Terminal Leave in Annapolis this October (Photo Credit: Matt Ellis)
Looking Ahead — The 2027 Mission
While the last campaign focused on raising awareness for U.S. Patriot Sailing, this new mission is about expanding support — enabling the organization to create even more opportunities for veterans.
One major goal of U.S. Patriot Sailing is to introduce a cruising platform where veterans and their families can share calm, restorative experiences on the water — a vital way to strengthen connection and healing.
U.S. Patriot Sailing remains 100% volunteer-run, accomplishing its mission solely through the generous support of individual donors and grants. Together, we can make this next phase possible.
Donate HERE to support the U.S. Patriot Sailing team.
From raising awareness to expanding support — together, we’re building more opportunities for veterans.
Follow the Mission
As this campaign builds momentum, please makes sure you are following along and stay connected:
Website: www.pgnoceanracing.com
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube (@pgnoceanracing)
Instagram usually has the most frequent and quick updates!
Donate: You can support this new campaign with a tax deductible donation through U.S. Patriot Sailing — helping not only this mission, but also the veterans this organization serves. You can choose where your donation goes exactly: support a local team, this 2027 Mini Transat campaign, or the organization at large. Donate HERE
The support for the 2023 Mini Transat was the foundation for everything we’ve achieved so far. I hope you will be part of the adventure as we set out for this new mission.
New design, new challenge, same mission-driven commitment
Questions? Want to support?
Reach out out to peter@pgnoceanracing.com and jane@pgnoceanracing.com
Watch the video below to learn why I’ve decided to compete in the Mini Transat again:
Is your club, organization, or company interested in hearing about this new mission?
