On Track for a Spring Launch
Updates from my visit to the new boat
Last week I took a quick trip to France to check in on the building of my new Classe Mini 6.50 prototype. There was so much progress since my last blog post and even during the few days I was there.
When I first arrived, the additional headway from the photos a few weeks earlier blew me away. Most of the framing and stringers were installed, with one of the JPS Production team members setting up to complete the infusion for the top edge of a frame. The designer, Sam Manuard, also stopped by to discuss design development and to see the construction.
This boat is going to be stiff and incredibly light. The hull and deck are made of a rigid, closed cell foam that is then sandwiched on each side by a thin layer of carbon fiber. Through a one shot infusion process with epoxy, the carbon is cooked to harden.
The forward most bulkhead is very important in these boats. You can see there is a little oval cut out where a hatch will be installed. This watertight compartment helps prevent water from coming into the boat in case there is damage to the bow.
In addition to all the work on the hull, the JPS team was also preparing to infuse the bottom layer of the deck. The picture below is the deck flipped upside down with a JPS composite boat builder standing on the underside of the cabin top. With this scow bow design, you can really see how much additional volume this boat will have compared to the more conventional narrow bow designs.
Other parts are also starting to be built with different molds. This picture below is the large canting keel mold. There will also be molds for the lead keel bulb, T foil rudders, and foils.
All of the electronics will be professionally installed next month by a local company called Skysat. I visited their office again to coordinate final details and see the progress in building out components like the control panel below. Between the design drawings and visiting the boat for measurements, Skysat plans to have all of the wires precut with all of the parts prepared at their shop for a relatively quick installation. This is a team of professionals who have worked Class 40s, IMOCAs, and trimarans, so they are bringing their expertise to this Mini.
Stay tuned for a more in-depth explanation on the electronics. We will incorporate Madintec’s MADBrain, an AI powered brain that greatly improves autopilot performance. This will be critical to helping the boat fly on the foils for long periods of time in the ocean.
The final update to the build I was able to see during my visit was the installation of the compression post for the mast. With a deck mounted rotating wing mast, there will be an immense amount of force on this part of the boat. Therefore, this carbon post will prevent the deck from buckling under the load and distribute the weight to the hull and bulkhead support structure. Very soon the deck will be ready for installation on top of the hull.
This visit with the boat was a quick few days in France. As an officer in the Marine Corps Reserves, I augment the active duty unit Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPC) with future operations planning. The best timing for me to visit JPS in January coincided with my annual drill time with the Marine Corps. Therefore, after a few weeks in Hawaii I went off orders for six days to travel to France, and I am now back on orders finishing out my annual obligation. Even though I spent a lot of hours flying and driving, it was worth the trip to discuss boat details in person with the designer, builder, sail designer, mast builder, and electronics installers.
Congratulations to Thomas Coville and crew on Sodebo for winning the Trophée Jules Verne! This team just set a new record of sailing around the world in 40 days and 10 hours on an Ultim trimaran. Incredible work by the team and to hear just how difficult the final few days of the race were with boat breaking weather finishing in the English Channel. While the boat initially pulled into Brest the day I arrived in France, a few days later I was fortunate to cheer on the crew as they returned to their home port in Lorient, with thousands of fans witnessing the arrival.
Check out my most recent interview on the Cape Horn to Port podcast hosted by fellow Marine and U.S. Patriot Sailing teammate Ronnie Simpson.
More video updates on Instagram:
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?
Thank You Sponsors & Supporters of the 2027 Mini Transat Campaign
More news to follow soon on returning & new sponsors!!!!
