In Episode 28 of UK Sailmakers’ Lessons Learned podcast, host Buttons Padin talks with UK Sailmakers Northeast Loft Manager Emmett Dickheiser and co-skipper Cat Chimney about their 2026 Newport Bermuda Race in the Double-Handed Division aboard the J/44 Kenai.
Though both were experienced Bermuda Race sailors, racing double-handed together was a new challenge. Thanks to the generosity and encouragement of Kenai’s owners Chris and Karen Lewis, they were able to borrow the boat and tackle the iconic 636 nautical mile race.
Long before their double-handed adventure, both Emmett and Cat were already well acquainted with the race and sailing Kenai fully crewed.
Emmett and Cat explain how they transformed the J/44 into a capable short-handed racer by adding a furling system, a specially designed UK Sailmakers non-overlapping jib with vertical battens, and choosing a smaller, easier-to-handle Code Zero. They also discuss overcoming an electrical failure that left them hand-steering and carefully managing battery power, the importance of conserving your own “personal battery” during an offshore race, and the many small decisions that make double-handed sailing both challenging and rewarding.
Whether you’re interested in offshore racing, short-handed sailing, or simply hearing a great Bermuda Race story, this episode is packed with practical lessons and honest insights from two experienced sailors.
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