January 17, 2026 – The Start of the Project
LA BOULANGERE MINI-TRANSAT 2025
Fra 975 – AELIG – BEE ENGENERING, was skippered by Thomas Hamparian, placing 24/57 with a time of 16D 12:04:08 9/21/2025. The Classe Mini 6.50 sailboat “AELIG” (hull number 975), sponsored by Bee Engineering in the 2025 La Boulangère Mini-Transat race, is a production-series Maxi 650 model designed by David Raison and built by IDB Marine in France. This specific boat was first launched in 2019.
Overview
The Maxi 650 is a production-series sailboat in the Classe Mini 6.50 category, designed by French naval architect David Raison and built by IDB Marine in Finistère, France. Production began in 2018, evolving from Raison’s earlier successful prototypes like the “Magnum” (winner of the 2011 Mini-Transat) and “Maximum.” It features a distinctive scow bow hull shape, which enhances downwind performance, stability, and speed by allowing the boat to plane more effectively while keeping the skipper drier. This design has influenced offshore racing, with the Maxi 650 achieving notable successes in the Mini-Transat race, including a series victory in 2021 and multiple top placements.
The boat is optimized for single-handed ocean racing but can accommodate 1-2 crew. It’s constructed as a GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) sandwich using vacuum infusion for lightweight strength, with a fixed L-keel and no tilting keels or foils allowed under series rules. The base price for a new model is approximately €67,200.
Design Features
- Scow Bow: The rounded, voluminous bow is a hallmark of Raison’s designs, providing superior planing ability, reduced drag, and better wave handling compared to traditional pointed bows. This makes it particularly effective in downwind conditions, where it can reach speeds over 17 knots.
- Performance-Oriented Build: Weighing just 950 kg, the boat emphasizes speed and power-to-weight ratio (sail area to weight around 1.2). It’s equipped for solo transatlantic racing, with a simple interior focused on functionality rather than comfort.
- Rig and Sails: The single-masted sloop rig includes a swinging bowsprit for larger downwind sails, allowing for versatile sail plans in varying conditions.
- Cruising Potential: While primarily a racer, some variants like the Virgin Mojito 650 adaptation show potential for basic cruising with innovative storage and galley solutions.
Performance and History
The Maxi 650 has proven dominant in the production series of the Mini-Transat, with Raison’s designs securing wins in 2017, 2019, and 2021 (including prototypes based on the same hull). In the 2021 edition, it claimed both proto and series victories, highlighting its edge in speed and handling.
Design Images
Side Profile
Airial Profile
Aft Beam Profile
Aft Beam Profile
The scow concept, popularized by Raison’s 2011 Magnum win, has since become a standard in the class, influencing broader offshore designs. IDB Marine continues production, with ongoing success in racing circuits.
About The Author
