⛵ Can you imagine crossing the Atlantic Ocean in a boat just 5.8 metres (19 feet) long?
Welcome aboard #109 IMIMINI, skippered by British sailor Matthew Freestone, preparing for the McIntyre ALMA Class Globe 5.80 Transat 2026–2027! 🌊
Join Don McIntyre in Lagos, Portugal, for an exclusive boat tour and a fascinating conversation with Matthew about his little ocean-going adventure machine.
IMIMINI has quite a story! Originally built by Bart in a tent in his back garden in the Netherlands, the boat had to be lifted over the house by crane before it could go sailing!
Matthew bought IMIMINI, sailed her to the UK, spent months preparing and upgrading her, then completed a challenging month-long voyage from North Wales to Lagos — mostly sailing upwind and battling the unpredictable Bay of Biscay.
🔎 WHAT’S INSIDE THIS BOAT TOUR?
⛵ The remarkable story of how IMIMINI was built
🔧 Matthew’s modifications, including a new watertight cockpit hatch, solar panels and practical safety improvements
🛟 An inside look at the tiny but remarkably well-organised cabin, navigation equipment, storage and survival gear
🌊 Lessons learned sailing a 19ft yacht through the Bay of Biscay — including a cooking disaster that left Matthew eating cold food!
🏴☠️ Why Don gives Matthew the nickname "The Pirate"!
❤️ Matthew’s sailing adventures, his retirement at 55 and why he decided to take on the Globe 5.80 challenge
🌍 His preparations, expectations and excitement ahead of the voyage to Lanzarote and the Atlantic crossing.
From riding Harley-Davidsons through Europe to crossing oceans in tiny boats, Matthew certainly knows how to enjoy an adventure!
Every Class Globe 5.80 yacht is different, and IMIMINI is full of clever ideas. This is a fascinating look at what it takes to prepare a tiny yacht for a mighty ocean adventure.
📍 Filmed in Lagos Marina, Portugal
⛵ Event: McIntyre ALMA Class Globe 5.80 Transat 2026–2027
🚩 Skipper: Matthew Freestone (UK)
🚩 Yacht: IMIMINI — Sail No. 109
00:00 Meet Matthew Freestone and IMIMINI
02:33 Built in a Back Garden — The Incredible Story
03:43 Deck Tour and Ocean Sailing Equipment
04:55 Matthew’s Clever Cockpit Hatch Modification
06:24 Windvane Steering, Solar Panels and Safety Gear
08:36 Step Inside the Tiny 19ft Yacht!
11:41 Navigation, Batteries and Survival Equipment
13:43 Bay of Biscay Disaster — No More Hot Meals!
15:43 Matthew’s Life, Retirement and Sailing Adventures
17:27 How Matthew Became a Solo Sailor
21:14 Sailing to Lanzarote — The Next Challenge
22:06 Preparing Food for the Atlantic Crossing
23:56 Safety Training and Race Preparations
26:07 IMIMINI’s Clever Watertight Compartments
27:07 What Happens to IMIMINI After the Transat?
🌐 Follow the adventure: https://globe580transat.com/
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Would YOU cross the Atlantic in a 19ft boat? Tell us in the comments! 👇
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