MiniCat
520 Explorer
Multi-day adventures over land and sea on routes less traveled
photo credit: Lanny Lucas-Stone
Description
The MiniCat 520 Explorer is the newest addition to the MiniCat family, a one-of-a-kind sailboat designed for thrill-seekers who brave the elements for multi-day journeys over land and sea on routes less traveled. Featuring multi-chambered pontoons, foredeck tent, waterproof saddle storage dry bags, and a reefable main with two reef points, it is ready for serious action. Collapsing down into three 6’ long bags weighing a mere 177 lbs. combined, it’s the only class C sailboat that can fly with you anywhere in the world, be taken off-road over rugged terrain, and be stored away in a closet while awaiting the next adventure. But when closer to home, being the largest MiniCat at 17’ long with structural H-style frame and fore and aft trampolines, there’s plenty of room for a day-sail with the whole crew — family, friends, and furry creatures.
Standard Features of Base Model:
** Dual-Chambered Pontoons
** 4-Piece Aluminum Mast – silver powder coated
** Aluminum boom
** Stainless steel bobstay support cables
Hinged mast step
Aluminum H-style double frame with fore & aft trampolines
Front trampoline with mounting points for foredeck tent “pod” or foredeck storage pack
Dyneema rope shrouds
Aluminum rudder & centerboard
Reefable mainsail 7.7 m² – Polyester Dacron (orange-only)
Jib sail 3.5 m² – Polyester Dacron (orange-only)
Continuous line jib furler
Reinforced rub strip under the pontoons
Grab lines along full length of pontoons
Black/grey main trampoline
Telescopic tiller extension
** upgradable (see below)
Base Trim Price:
Additional UPGRADES
Substitute standard components with high performance upgrades. Consider at time of boat purchase.
Alternative boat bags with inline wheels and end handles. Important consideration: each bag weighs 9lbs (mostly due to ~1cm thick rigid bottom that spans half the bag).
May be purchased “in addition to” (Add-on) or “instead of” (Upgrade) the standard duffle-style boat bag(s). Upgrade option only available with purchase of a boat.
Recommended Accessories
Optional add-ons. Consider at time of boat purchase…OR later.
A Unique MiniCat
Similar yet different
Centerboard instead of keel fins
Retractable aluminum alloy centerboard is unique from all other MiniCats.
Reef cringles and boom
Fully battened square top mainsail with 2 reef points on an aluminum alloy boom. Optional upgrade to carbon fiber boom.
designed for adventure
Unique features from waterproof storage to foredeck tent are specifically engineered for multi-day excursions.
Technical Specs
Length - 520 cm (17.0 ft)
Weight - 80 kg (176 lbs)
Bags - 3
Assembly time - 70 min + accessories
Capacity - 600 kg (1323 lb) / designed for 4 adults
Mast: 610cm (20.0 ft) 4-piece black powder-coated aluminum alloy (AlMg 0.7 Si)
Main sail: 7.70 m² ( 82.9 ft²) "Dimension Polyant" Dacron
Jib sail: 3.50 m² (37.7 ft²) Dacron
Genoa sail (optional): 10.5 m² (113.0 ft²)
Jib furler: continuous line
Pontoons: 19” diameter, 520 x 49 cm (17.0 x 1.6 ft) grey reinforced German-made Heytex 5509 reinforced PVC dual-chamber with safety grab line
Main Deck: 190 x 145 cm (6.2 x 4.6 ft) woven plastic trampoline affixed to powder-coated aluminum frame
Foredeck: 200 x 145 cm (6.6 x 4.6 ft) woven plastic trampoline affixed to powder-coated aluminum frame
Centerboard: aluminum alloy
Fittings: Hardware by Ronstan, Seasure, Clamcleat, and Suchomel
Assembled dimensions: 520 x 220 x 659 cm (17.0 x 7.2 x 21.6 ft)
Bag dimensions: Three 175 x 30 x 30 cm (5.7 x 1 x 1 ft)
Shipping weight: 206 lb (93 kg)
Boat Category: Class C
Max. Motor Power: 4.4 kW / 6 HP
Frequently
Asked
Questions
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Item description
The GE BTP2, made by Scoprega Italy, parent company of Bravo China, is the next generation of the popular BTP12 manometer electric inflator. Now provides 18psi of max pressure instead of 14psi with slightly quieter motors. Making inflating (and deflating) your MiniCat pontoons, or Tiwal/DinghyGo dropstich floors, or even stand-up paddleboards quick and effortless. Still paired with Dakota Lithium’s 12V 10AH high-performance/long-life LiFePO4 battery with enough power to last 5 inflation/deflation cycles between charges (almost double the power of competing products). Did we mention that the battery has an 11-year warranty? And that we carry select replacement parts? This particular configuration of pump accessories is exclusive to Sailing Awaits. Unique valve adapter has two different spacers to accommodate short, medium, or long-style Halkey-Roberts valves. Adjustable screw stem actuates valve for twist lock seal. Highly recommended for 420 and 460. Inflates a 420 pontoon in 4 minutes flat and auto stops when set pressure is reached, letting you focus on rigging. Time saved on assembly means more time on the water. Important consideration: adapter has a unique actuator stem to depress the Halkey-Roberts valve unlike competing products. This feature enables the precise pressure to be achieved inside the chamber without airflow obstruction by the valve.