From Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia
Bruce Payne joins the 2026 Globe 5.80 Transat aboard Meraki, the Class Globe 5.80 previously sailed by Keith Oliver in the 2023 Globe 5.80 Transat. The yacht gained international attention through the popular documentary Meraki, which followed Keith’s remarkable solo Atlantic crossing and introduced many sailors to the spirit of the Class Globe 5.80.
Based in Ulverstone, Tasmania, Bruce now takes ownership of Meraki and is preparing for his own Atlantic adventure.
Why do you want to compete in the Globe 5.80 Transat?
I have always been inspired by small teams and capabilities that can achieve outcomes and success disproportionate to their size. Combined with the G580 outlier approach to racing small vessels across the Atlantic and around the globe, it aligned perfectly with the vision for my next adventure and provides a unique opportunity to fulfil a wish of crossing oceans with this unique boat.
Sailing Experience
I started sailing late in life (53) but was no stranger to crossing challenging stretches of water. In 1993 I successfully crossed the Torres Straight by sea kayak from Weipa to Papua New Guinea and went on to kayak across the Bass Strait the following year.
After a long career within the Australian Defence Force and Private Sector work in high risk environments, I acquired the necessary skills to bare boat charter initially before purchasing my own 46ft Hanse Yacht where I sailed from Italy to the Aegean Sea to explore throughout the Mediterranean between 2015 – 2020. More recently I sailed my G580 Meraki 178 solo from the UK to Portugal in preparation for the 2026 G580 Transatlantic.
What do you consider to be the best and the worst part about the 5.80 Transat?
The best part for me involves meeting and learning from other entrants while at the same time experiencing a race for the first time in my life and the challenges of crossing the Atlantic on a small sail boat.
The worst part is deciding what to do at the end of the Transat… Wait for the Mini Globe in 2029, or sail back home to Australia under my own arrangements?
Links
- Facebook: facebook.com/bruce.payne.5274
- Instagram: instagram.com/brucepayne667/
- TikTok: tiktok.com/@omni6420
- Youtube: youtube.com/@omnisail2334
