Is a €60,000 sailboat tax-deductible? | Interview with Quentin Debois

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Imagine setting off into the open ocean, alone, with nothing but your wits, your boat, and the horizon ahead. That’s exactly what Quentin Debois does. Except... he will also try to break a world record along the way.

We caught up with Quentin, a 38-year-old Belgian offshore skipper and former entrepreneur, to talk about boats, bravery, and why sailing solo feels a lot like running your own business.

30 Questions with Belgian offshore skipper Quentin Debois

Quentin, how did sailing come into your life?

Quentin: "I started sailing at 31. With no background or experience. A friend invited me on a trip, and I just fell in love with it. There’s something about that freedom, that sense of being completely responsible for yourself and your environment."

Would you say sailing is similar to freelancing?

Quentin: "Definitely. Starting sailing felt like the same ‘jump into the unknown’ as when I launched my first company in 2010. I founded a company in event marketing, and one in sales automation. You have no guarantees. You just decide to go for it."

And now you’re aiming for a world record?

Quentin: "Yes, I’ll attempt the solo Atlantic crossing record this December (2025). About 25 to 30 days at sea, on my own boat. It’s a tiny vessel. You could think of it like a “big car on water.”

That’s… intense.

Quentin: "It’s ambitious enough to scare you. And that’s a good sign. Fear is a reminder that you’re pushing your limits."

What will you miss the most from land?

Quentin: Pizza. Definitely pizza.

Is this your boat?

Quentin: "That’s my boat, yes, I’ve had it for four years. Actually, technically, my company owns it."

Can we ask how much it cost?

Quentin: "Around €60,000. So it’s like owning a big car."

Is your sailboat tax-deductible?

Quentin: "It is, yes. But amortised, of course." (laughs)

People see you sailing, but what about the work behind the scenes?

Quentin: "Most don’t realise there’s a whole team behind a solo sailor. Seven people, each with a role, from navigation, logistics, weather analysis, to even morale. Alone at sea, I steer for 8–10 hours, then the autopilot takes over. But back on land, my crew keeps everything moving. It’s teamwork, just in a very different way."

Sounds like running a business.

Quentin: "Exactly. Admin, logistics, fundraising, coordinating a team... It’s all part of the grind. Discipline outweighs motivation."

And when you’re alone in the middle of the Atlantic, what keeps you going?

Quentin: "I tell myself: Show up and deliver. You can’t control the storm, but you can control your boat. You adapt, manage what you’ve got, and keep going."

Any moments of fear?

Quentin: "A little. That’s normal. It’s a signal you’re in a risky but exciting situation. Like entrepreneurship, fear means it’s ambitious enough."

What’s the craziest thing that’s happened at sea?

Quentin: "One day, I thought the boat would capsize. It didn’t, but for a moment, I really thought it would."

What’s one thing sailing has taught you?

Quentin: "To accept that you can’t control your environment. The sea, the wind, the waves... They’re unpredictable. The only control you have is over your boat, your decisions, and yourself. And that lesson… well, it applies everywhere."

Solo sailing and entrepreneurship: are they really similar?

Quentin: "Very much so. Both are about making decisions with uncertainty, managing risk, and embracing responsibility. And the joy is in the process, not just the result."

Last question: if you could give one piece of advice to anyone wanting to take the leap and start sailing, what would it be?

Quentin: "Be comfortable with doubt and obstacles. They’re part of the journey. Instead of fearing them, welcome them. Doubt is a strong indicator that you’re learning, and big obstacles show that what you’re doing is ambitious enough. Treat them as your friends and get along with them. They’re good for you."

A metaphor for independence

Quentin’s solo adventure is more than a sporting challenge. It’s a metaphor for the journey of independent entrepreneurs: calculated risk, resilience, problem-solving, and the occasional moment of panic. And while the Atlantic is unforgiving, the lessons are universal.

To quote Quentin: "You can't control the storm, but you can control your boat."
And that’s exactly what we believe at Accountable, too.

You steer the course of your business, Accountable keeps your finances steady.
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Author - Valesca Wilms

As content marketing lead at Accountable Belgium, Valesca writes about freelancing, self-employment, and taxes based on her own experience as a freelancer.

Who is Valesca ?