St Maarten Heineken Regatta is the ultimate Caribbean sailing race experience. Join our professional sailing team for world-class yacht racing combined with legendary Caribbean parties during the Heineken Regatta 2026.
During 4-days event you will experience World Class Racing, and amazing parties with local food and ice-cold Heineken in Regatta Village in the evenings.
The official motto of St Maarten Heineken Regatta is “Serious Fun”, so come and experience it with Sailing Dutchman aboard the Akua Aminata in 2026!
Our Heineken Regatta package includes expert training, competitive racing, and unforgettable memories in the heart of the Caribbean sailing community.
Your day-to-day experience at
Heineken Regatta 2026
“SERIOUS FUN!”
FROM DAY TO NIGHT
Meet your professional Skipper Eric
Hi, I am Eric van der Vegt
I founded Sailing-Dutchman out of love for sailing. I have been sailing since I was 6 years old. Like most sailors I started with the famous Optimist. As years passed, the boats became bigger, faster and more challenging. From Optimist to Laser to 470’s and later I crossed over to sailing yachts.
By now I have sailed thousends of miles at different seas and oceans on various ships – motor and sailing vessels.
Next to being a professional sailor and instructor I am a passionate cook and musician. I want to make sure that people who sail with me have a great time.
I have the following competences:
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- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with commercial endorsment MCA
- RYA YM Cruising Instructor
- International Certificate of Competence
- Power Boat 1 and 2
- First Aid certificate
- Sea Survival
- SRC/Marifoon/Marcom B
Your Racing Catamaran during Heineken Regatta 2026
Welcome to our sailing home – AKUA AMINATA – 44ft Dean 440 Espace catamaran.
We have chosen this boat for her comfort and sailing performance.
Built by famous catamaran builder – Peter Dean she was designed to cross the oceans with a lot of comfort and living space.
As the Boat has been designed and built in South Africa, we wanted to give her a name to honor her African heritage. The first name – Akua – is a name origin from Ghana and reflects the spirit of the ocean and the power it holds. The second name – Aminata – has West African origin and mean “trustworthy” and “faithful” in various African language.
Akua Aminata can host up to 7 guests in 3 cabins. She is equipped with new sails, safety equipment, solar panels, water maker, BBQ and wi-fi (Starlink).
LOA: 44ft / 13.41m
Beam: 7.25m
Draft: 1.10m
No of Beths: 9
No of Cabins: 4
No of Heads: 3
What is included in your St.Maarten Heineken Regatta
Participation in Heineken Regatta – 995€
What is included
- Basic Training
- Marina and Simpson Bay Bridge fee
- Certified professional skipper
- Boat insurance
- Accommodation in a shared cabin
- Final cleaning
- Bed linen and towels
- BBQ
- Dinghy with outboard engine
Not included:
- On board cash for food, drinks, fuel
- Flights
- Transfers: airport – marina – airport
- Personal insurance
- Race entry (will be divided by the number of participants)
Book your Heineken Regatta 2026 Adventure!
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