An IMOCA structure
Imagined and designed by Brussels-based architect Thomas Vanwindekens, Imoc-up is an IMOCA Open 60, strongly inspired by Hugo Boss 6, but without the planks and deck. It's just the structure of the boat. But a structure concentrated enough for the water lines of this pretty boat to appear clearly and transform it into a design object.
A flat cardboard box and online instructions
The complete kit comes in a flat cardboard box. It contains two sheets of 3 mm plywood, plus 2 sheets of thick paper for the two sails. The plywood sheets are precision laser-cut. They are protected by a paper film that is removed on both sides before the parts are used.
To limit ecological impact, the assembly instructions are not printed, but can be accessed by scanning a QR code. The instructions are "Ikea"-style, containing a minimum of text (French, English) and a maximum of diagrams, not forgetting a few humorous, user-friendly points! The explanations are sufficiently clear and self-explanatory for the average user to find his way around easily.
Simple, accessible assembly
IMOCA assembly begins with the assembly of the cradle, then the model's backbone. This is where the mast, keel and all torques will be fitted. The rest of the parts - rudders, foils and outriggers - are connected to this central section.
Wooden parts fit together with remarkable precision. No need to enlarge or grind parts. Despite the advice to use sandpaper in certain cases, we didn't use it. A few dabs of wood glue are required, notably on the mast to hold the sails.
Black wire rigging
The finishing touches to the construction are the various rigging elements. Black thread is threaded through the various holes provided. All this is held together with simple knots - you don't need to be a seasoned sailor to tie them - which are then secured with a dot of glue. It's secure and won't budge.
An afternoon assembly
While the assembly plan states that it takes between 3 and 5 hours to assemble an Imoc-up, we completed ours in around 2 hours. It's a good idea to read the plan carefully before you set off, so that you understand the various stages and don't come across any surprises when assembling the boom, for example.
While the construction phase is fairly straightforward, it's the pleasure of having a beautiful object in the home that is the main benefit of assembling an Imoc-up. Having built it yourself is an added bonus when it comes to displaying it in your living room. It's worth noting that the cradle can accommodate the boat both flat and in the upright position, offering different views of the hull. What's more, its designer also offers the option of wall-mounting it to keep your buffet free of clutter.
