MiniMax Questions & Answers
Here you’ll find answers to the most commonly asked questions about MiniMax—what it is, how it works, how to get involved, and how it can be used by individual sailors, families, clubs, schools, and STEM programs.
What Is MiniMax?
MiniMax is a one-design radio-controlled sailing yacht class built around a simple idea: make RC sailing affordable, accessible, portable, and fun.
Every MiniMax around the world is built from the same official digital design, ensuring a common one-design platform regardless of who builds it or where it is sailed.
Unlike traditional model yacht classes, MiniMax is designed around digital distribution and local production rather than centralized manufacturing and worldwide shipping.
What Is the MiniMax Philosophy?
MiniMax is built around four core principles:
- Accessibility: Anyone should be able to participate.
- Affordability: The cost of entry should remain low.
- Simplicity: Building, ownership, and racing should be straightforward.
- Community: The class should encourage local builders, suppliers, sailors, and fleets.
How Does MiniMax Work?
The traditional manufacturing model looks like this:
Factory → Importer → Distributor → Retailer → Customer
The MiniMax model is different:
Official Design → Official License → Local Production → Local Sailing
The boat’s design is distributed digitally, allowing MiniMax boats and fleets to be produced locally almost anywhere in the world.
How Do I Join the MiniMax Class?
The first step is purchasing an official MiniMax license.
The license provides access to the official STL files and records the owner in the MiniMax registry.
What Are STL Files?
STL files are digital 3D-printing files. Think of them as digital plans that a 3D printer can understand.
They allow identical one-design boats to be manufactured anywhere in the world.
What Is the MiniMax Registry?
Every purchaser of the official STL files is recorded in the MiniMax registry.
This creates the class registry and allows event organizers to verify registered MiniMax owners.
What Does “One-Design” Mean?
One-design means that all MiniMax boats use identical hulls, keels, rudders, and rigs.
The objective is to reward sailing skill rather than equipment advantage.
What Are the Different Ways to Participate?
MiniMax is designed to let people participate at the level that best suits their skills, interests, and available resources:
- Level 1: STL Builder – Purchase the official digital files and print the parts yourself.
- Level 2: Printed Parts – Purchase the printed components and complete the boat yourself.
- Level 3: Complete Kit – Purchase a more complete package containing the parts needed for the build.
- Level 4: Advanced Kit – Purchase a kit with more of the preparation and assembly already completed.
- Level 5: Ready-to-Sail – Purchase a fully assembled and equipped boat that is ready to sail.
Availability may vary by region and supplier.
Who Are the Regional Builders and Suppliers?
MiniMax is supported by a growing network of regional builders and suppliers:
- New Zealand and Australia: Castle Rock Yachtworks
- United Kingdom: Neil Witt
- United States: Mark Cooper of Coopers Woodcrafts
- European Union: Arnold van der Weide and Kees van der Stoep
What Is the MiniMax Supplier Ecosystem?
Regional builders, rig specialists, electronics suppliers, and accessory suppliers can all grow alongside the MiniMax class.
Suppliers may specialize in:
- Printed parts and kits
- Sails and rigs
- Electronics
- Travel boxes and carrying cases
- Accessories and replacement parts
- Ready-to-sail boats
This distributed model supports local builders and businesses while making MiniMax more accessible around the world.
Will There Be a Standard MiniMax Radio-Control Package?
A future standardized MiniMax RC package may include:
- Transmitter
- Receiver
- Two servos
- Battery
- Charger
The standardized package would remain optional.
What Travel Boxes and Accessories May Be Available?
Potential MiniMax products include:
- Travel boxes
- Storage systems
- Boat stands
- Carrying cases
- Spare battery packs
Is MiniMax Suitable for Schools, Clubs, and STEM Programs?
Yes. MiniMax combines:
- CAD and digital design
- 3D printing
- Electronics
- Hands-on assembly
- Problem-solving
- Sailing
- Racing
This makes it highly suitable for schools, sailing clubs, robotics programs, and other educational initiatives.
What Is the MiniMax Racing Philosophy?
MiniMax racing is intended to be fun, approachable, and inclusive.
Possible racing formats include:
- Fleet racing
- Pursuit racing
- Reaching courses
- Ocean races
- Team racing
How Do MiniMax Sail Numbers Work?
Single-digit sail numbers from 1 through 9 are proposed to keep the class distinctive, simple, and fun.
Why Is MiniMax Different?
MiniMax is a distributed manufacturing and sailing ecosystem that supports home builders, suppliers, clubs, schools, and sailors worldwide—without requiring factories, shipping containers, or major inventory.
What Is the Vision for MiniMax?
Anyone, anywhere in the world, should be able to participate in a one-design sailing class at the level that suits them.
Participants can print the official STL files, purchase parts locally, build complete fleets, or sail ready-to-sail boats—all within the same worldwide class.
MiniMax: Print Local. Sail Global.
The World’s First Distributed, 3D-Printed, One-Design RC Yacht Class
MiniMax Class Structure & Ecosystem — Version 1.0 Draft
Meet the Creator of MiniMax
In this in-depth interview, MiniMax creator Brett McCormack recounts the story of how MiniMax came to life.
He discusses his background in boatbuilding, the evolution of the design, the criteria behind MiniMax, how the boat is built, and how he sees it being used by individuals, families, sailing clubs, and school STEM programs around the world.
The interview also answers many of the most common questions about building, equipping, licensing, purchasing, and racing MiniMax.
Topics Discussed in the Interview
[0:00] MiniMax Introduction
[0:32] Introducing the San Diego Argonauts STEM Program
[2:06] MiniMax in Action
[4:31] Who Is Brett McCormack?
[8:28] When Did Brett Start Building Boats?
[11:49] From Dinghies to Fiberglass IOMs
[14:20] Designing Footys—and Finding the Fastest
[16:45] Why MiniMax Fits SDA’s School STEM Program
[19:30] From Moonshadow to 3D Printing
[20:35] Why Is MiniMax Exactly 22 Centimeters Long?
[22:37] How Ocean Mini Became Radio Controlled
[23:40] Why Wouldn’t the First RC Conversion Turn?
[24:20] Which Tiny Servos Does MiniMax Need?
[25:50] Understanding the 120-Gram Weight Budget
[27:26] What Does the €25 STL License Include?
[32:15] Which Battery Should Builders Use?
[33:13] Which Parts Are Made from PLA+, PETG, or TPU?
[35:00] How Does the MiniMax Sheeting System Work?
[36:50] Naming the Tiny Rig Fittings
[39:05] How Do You Make the Sail Corners?
[40:45] How Do You Build the Keel Ballast?
[43:34] Can a School Fleet Really Cost Less Than $70 per Boat?
[45:34] What Else Must Builders Purchase?
[48:30] Could MiniMax Become Available Ready-to-Sail?
[50:00] Is MiniMax the First DIY True One-Design?
[50:40] How Can You Buy MiniMax Around the World?
[52:09] Could MiniMax Create a Business Opportunity for Students?
[52:50] What Comes in a Regional MiniMax Kit?
[54:10] What Do the License and Class Registration Mean?
[56:15] Could MiniMax Become a Complete School Course?
[57:00] How Long Does MiniMax Take to 3D-Print?
[58:15] How Long Does Assembly Take?
[59:55] What Is the Hardest Part of the Build?
[1:00:47] How Much Gluing Is Required?
[1:01:10] Why Doesn’t the Rotating Rig Fall Out?
[1:02:35] Where Could MiniMax Go Next?
[1:03:22] Why Are New Builders Successfully Completing These Boats?
[1:05:07] MiniMax for STEM Programs, Families, and Sailing Schools
[1:06:52] What Is the Best First Step?
[1:07:38] MiniMax Racing: The Sailing Version of Mario Kart
[1:10:25] Can You Race MiniMax at a School?
[1:12:28] Tiny Boat, Big Breeze
