In Episode 26 of UK Sailmakers’ Lessons Learned podcast, host Buttons Padin speaks with Belgian offshore sailor Quentin Debois about his Mini 6.5 campaign, his sailing background, and his recent record-breaking Atlantic crossing.
Quentin only began sailing at age 31 after a friend introduced him to a Hobie 16 on the Belgian North Sea. What started as curiosity quickly became a passion, leading him to formal training in France and ultimately into offshore racing in the demanding Mini 6.5 class—a 6.5-metre (21-foot) solo offshore racing boat known for its speed, instability, and extreme demands on both sailor and equipment.
One of Quentin’s standout achievements is his recent east-to-west Atlantic record attempt, sailing from Cádiz, Spain, to San Salvador in The Bahamas via a Grand Canaria waypoint. He completed the crossing in 24 days, 19 hours, significantly lowering the previous under-7m record of 30 days, 22 hours. The campaign was supported by a dedicated team including a router, coach, technical preparer, and mental coach, highlighting the level of coordination required even in “solo” offshore racing.
Preparation played a critical role. Quentin and his team fully rebuilt the boat before departure, and UK Sailmakers Belgium equipped his boat with a reefable jib, a Code 0, and A2 and A5 spinnakers that performed throughout the crossing. When he required repairs on an older mainsail for a subsequent record attempt, UK Sailmakers Miami supported a rapid turnaround to keep the campaign on track.
Quentin’s approach is highly disciplined—he sails without an engine and constantly manages boat trim, including shifting approximately 250kg of internal ballast during manoeuvres. His focus now turns to future record attempts, including Miami to New York and New York back to the UK (Lizard Point), each timed around precise weather routing.
Quentin Debois represents a new generation of offshore sailor—combining performance sailing, technical precision, and structured support teams to push the limits of what small offshore boats can achieve.
For potential partners interested in supporting Quentin’s campaign, contact him directly at Quentin@OceanSailing.be and you can also follow his adventures on Instagram @quentindebois.
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