Lessons Learned Short - Quentin Debois' Benchmark Record

In this Lessons Learned Short, host Buttons Padin talks with Belgian sailor Quentin Dubois after he established a world benchmark time sailing a Mini 6.5 from Miami to New York (about 900 miles), a category with no prior official record attempts. This follows his earlier 2026 record breaking transatlantic crossing from Cadiz to San Salvador in the Mini 6.5. Dubois describes choosing a strong weather window with router Basil Rochu, using the Gulf Stream for an average 2 knot push (up to 3) until Cape Hatteras, and managing changing wind strength over the passage. He details his sail plan: solent and main upwind early, then flying UK Sailmakers Matrix spinnakers from the cockpit, and praises his UK Sailmakers Belgium sails, including a reefable solent with a zipper system. Back in Belgium briefly, he plans to return to New York in early June to repair significant hull delamination found after hauling out in Raritan Bay before preparing to start another Atlantic crossing in an attempt at the west to east record. 00:00 Introduction 01:01 Weather Window and Winds 01:48 Riding the Gulf Stream 02:23 Sail Plan and Spinnakers 03:28 Singlehanded Spinnaker Handling 04:42 Sail Performance and Solent Reef 06:22 Back Home and Hull Repairs 07:26 Conclusion Like and subscribe to the UK Sailmakers YouTube channel to be notified when new content is uploaded. The Lessons Learned Podcast is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.