Six Days at Sea in a Sailing Boat! Dan Lenard Breaks Guinness World Record and Sends Message on Ocean Protection

Dan Lenard, the world-renowned yacht designer and co-founder of Nuvolari Lenard, has accomplished what he had been preparing for months – breaking the Guinness World Record for nonstop sailing on an Ilca 7 sailing boat(ex-laser). Completely alone, without assistance or the possibility of anchoring, from August 12th to 18th he sailed 321.5 nautical miles in 147 hours and 41 minutes. Everything was recorded on his Garmin watch and a live tracking page that followed his route through the Zadar archipelago and the Kornati islands.

After completing the challenge, we spoke with Dan, who admitted he was exhausted after six days at sea but satisfied with achieving his long-awaited goal, and also by visiting all the small coves in Kornati which he used to sail into during childhood.

The Vela Code Philosophy

Although now crowned with success, this was not his first attempt. Just two months earlier, he was forced to abandon the challenge due to a storm near Sućuraj, when he narrowly escaped with his life. At that time, he promised to try again during the summer, but without major media announcements. Now he has succeeded, and this record is much more than a personal victory – it is part of the Vela Code initiative, aimed at encouraging the yachting industry and the wider public to reflect on ocean conservation and expand awareness about ecology and the damage being done.

The entire voyage was carried out in line with the Vela Code philosophy: completely emission-free and without single-use plastic, clearly proving that such feats can be achieved in a sustainable and eco-friendly way.

Vela Code is not just a project but also a message. It shows that luxury experiences like sailing can be responsible, that single-use plastic can be eliminated immediately and at little cost, and that such a step carries both strong symbolic and practical impact.

Unlike slow and costly technological innovations in propulsion, banning single-use plastic in provisioning can be implemented instantly – while being visible, understandable, and resonating strongly with the public.

Sustainability as the Future of Yachting

Lenard’s record is not just a sporting achievement. His plastic-free and emission-free sailing is a reminder that the sea is not only a space for adventure and leisure but also a key ally in the fight against the climate crisis we are already experiencing.

For him personally, this record represents the fulfillment of a long-planned goal. For the Vela Code initiative, it is yet another proof that sustainability in the yachting world is not only possible but essential. After six days at sea, Dan Lenard can now rest – with a Guinness World Record proudly written next to his name.