Lessons Learned at the 2026 Pacific Cup

In Episode 30 of UK Sailmakers’ Lessons Learned, host Buttons Padin talks with Brendan Huffman, co-owner of the UK Sailmakers Los Angeles loft, fresh off winning ORR 4, the Gosling’s Rum Division, and the perpetual Carl Schumacher Award in the 2026 Pacific Cup aboard his refit Express 37, Dorado. He took the lead in the last 100 miles of an 11.5 day race.

Brendan walks through a stop-and-start two and a half year restoration, including major deck and rig updates, a cracked diesel tank that contaminated the bilge and water tank weeks before the start, and last-minute equipment changes.

He details his offshore sail plan using UK’s X-Drive^® laminates, why he left the J1 at home, and how a spinnaker net helped prevent headstay wraps while sailing deep in rolly trade wind conditions. He also explains why he chose a five-person crew, how they managed systems and navigation, and what’s next for the boat.

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