Anchors aweigh as first-time boat builder gets set for the high seas

NOVICE READY FOR RACE AFTER TWO YEARS’ WORK IN HIS SHED

SAILING the world in a boat he built from scratch with no experience is how a North East skipper plans to spend 2025.

Adam Waugh, from Bolam, in Northumberland, has spent the last two years single-handedly building a 19ft sailing boat from scratch, without previously constructing any part of a vessel. And in seven months, he is due to sail the boat to Portugal to take part in a race around the world.

Adam decided to take on the challenge after hearing about an event called the Mini Globe Race, in which up to 30 boat builders sail around the world in their creations, following the path of author John Guzwell who documented his international voyages aboard Trekka, a 21ft wooden sailing boat.

Adam, who heard about the race from a friend, said: “I thought I can’t think of anything better to do so I thought I’d better have a go at it.”

The 60-year-old said: “People either say you must be mad or they say wow, that sounds amazing, can I come and have a look at it? It gets very strong reactions.”

Adam started building the Class Globe 5.80 boat, named Little Wren, in his shed at home in February 2022.

He said the most difficult part of the build was making sure that everything lined up properly at the beginning when the frames were made, because it is the main structure of the build and the boat would not be constructed correctly if the frame wasn’t level and lined.

“That was probably the most difficult and stressful and at that point I was only a few months into it so I was still learning”, said Adam.

“The building was full of highs and lows.

“Some bits were fairly easy and very rewarding and quick wins and other bits took a long time.

“I was building in a shed at home and in the winter it was very cold.”

Although Adam created the boat alone, he explained that a community of Class Globe 5.80 boat builders were always available online to offer help and advice when needed.

After months of hard work, the boat – which has been named after two wrens which lived in Adam’s shed throughout the construction phase – was finally ready to be launched.

He launched the self-funded £40,000 boat at Amble Marina last month, saying it was one of the most exciting moments of his life.

Adam said: “I’m 60 years old and it has got to be up there as one of the most exciting things, mainly because it didn’t sink! I had a few friends and family around to give me some moral support but it all went very well.”

Now he plans to test the boat out at sea on a number of occasions before heading to Portugal in November for the qualifying passage of the Mini Globe Race, which Adam must raise around £3,000 to take part in.

The race itself will depart from Antigua in February 2025 and head

Adam Waugh on his boat ‘Little Wren’ at Amble Marina in Northumberland

to Panama. From there, it will take sailors to Fiji via a mystery island, Tahiti and Tonga.

The third leg of the race will venture to Cape Town via Darwin, Mauritius and Durban. Before the final leg of the race in December 2025 will return to Antigua via St Helena and Receife.

Adam said: “I haven’t really thought much about the race because I’ve been concentrating so much on building the boat.

“There’s still lots of preparation to do but I’m starting to get very excited about it.

“I’ve never sailed long distances like this before, so I am going into the unknown a little bit but I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Updates on Adam’s journey can be found via his Facebook page.