These are the first sketches of the future Mojito 650. After the launch of the Mini series, the Maxi 650, the IDB shipyard has always wanted to build a cruising sailboat on this same base. The Mojito 650 is a David Raison design that shares the same hull mold. Today, 17 Maxi 650s have been produced, 5 of which will be at the start of the 2019 Mini Transat on September 22nd in La Rochelle.
A drawing that does not fit into any gauge
In the cruising version, this scow (wide bow) was born from a strong demand from customers. This sailboat, which does not enter any regatta class, is a cruise adaptation of the Maxi 650's scow hull, where the architect did not take care of any regatta gauge. Denis Bourbigot, in charge of the IDBmarine project, explains:"Like all the sailboats in the Mojito range, it is a question of making a comfortable and fast sailboat". We also find the famous panoramic coach house with its vertical portholes, a distinctive sign of a Mojito. On the other hand, there is no question of placing an annex in a "garage" under the cockpit given the length of the hull. "Strictly speaking, we could have thought of a paddle garage," jokes Denis.
Grounding, unbreakable and habitable
This sailboat will be equipped with a lifting keel. This makes it possible to reduce the draught, to ground it with 2 small crutches, but also to carry the ballast much lower. Indeed, the Mini gauge requires a maximum draught of 1.50 m for the Maxi 650. On the Mojito, this ballast can be carried much deeper once the keel is down (between 1.80 and 1.90 m). As a result, this ballast will be lighter.
Towards a light sailboat
The weight estimate will be the main obstacle this sailboat will face. Indeed, for a scow hull to work, you need a very light sailboat. David Raison is very picky about this area. The Mojito will therefore be built as an infused sandwich (whereas the Mini gauge prohibits sandwiching for the Maxi). With this construction method, with a lighter keel, and despite the weight of the fittings, the Mojito 650 should not weigh heavier than the Maxi 650.
Livable volume in the bow
As for the layout, these should be quite simple (they are still on the architect's drawing table). Denis Bourbigot tells us more: "With the scow bow, the interior volume will be close to that of an 8 m sailboat. The double berth at the front will be very large and there should be two berths in the saloon that run under the cockpit.
For spring 2020
On the rigging side, this one should be wiser than the Maxi. The bowsprit will not be steerable, but retractable. The construction method and the possibility offered by the yard to build "à la carte" sailboats will not make the Mojito 650 a cheap sailboat. We will know more soon when the price will be fixed. Scheduled for launch in spring 2020, this Mojito 650 will be on display at the Grand Pavois in the same year.
