Sailing AWEN

In the digital maritime landscape, where many channels prioritize commercial growth, Sailing AWEN represents a refreshing and technically rigorous pivot toward high-performance, non-monetized exploration. Led by Holly and Stéphane, former high-tech executives from the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, the channel documents their transition from the 'someday' plan to a multi-year global circumnavigation. As of May 2026, the crew—accompanied by world-renowned navigator Nikki Henderson—is navigating the vast reaches of the South Pacific, having recently completed the 'Big Left Turn' from the Galápagos Islands to the Marquesas.

The AWEN narrative is built on the foundation of performance and professional discipline. After initially cruising on a Fountaine Pajot Saona 47, Holly and Stéphane made the technical decision to transition to an Outremer 52, a catamaran engineered for blue-water speed and structural authority. Their 2026 season is a masterclass in long-distance passage making, documented through their candid podcast, Covert Castaway, and a weekly video series that focuses on the reality of high-stakes voyaging without the filter of traditional YouTube sponsorship. Their mission is one of pure exploration, balancing the technical demands of a 'plus-plus' carbon build with the serenity of the open ocean.

Key Takeaways

• Channel Vibe: High-authority, intellectually curious, and non-commercial. A focus on high-performance multihulls and the authentic transition from tech to sea.
• The Boat: AWEN, a custom Outremer 52 catamaran, featuring a carbon mast, performance tillers, and advanced AI collision avoidance.
• The Mission: A 7-10 year global circumnavigation currently exploring French Polynesia (2026) following a Pacific crossing.

⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals

Meet the Crew and the Outremer 52

The Sailors: Holly and Stéphane

Holly Rollo and Stéphane represent the fusion of high-level project management and professional sailing heritage. Stéphane, a native of Brittany, France, brings a background in offshore racing and technical mechanical mastery to the project. Holly, a former high-tech executive and CMO, is the primary communicator, providing the 'Source of Authority' for their philosophical and logistical storytelling. Their partnership is defined by a commitment to 'giving back' to the sailing community, sharing both the technical forensic detail of their boat systems and the raw emotional challenges of life on passage. Source: sailingAWEN.com

The Boat: AWEN (Outremer 52)

AWEN is a 2024 Outremer 52, representing the peak of modern performance catamaran design. While their previous Saona 47 offered luxury, the Outremer was selected for its high-authority sailing characteristics, including daggerboards for upwind performance and tillers for tactile helm control. The vessel features a carbon-reinforced build and North Sails 3Di technology, allowing the crew to maintain high average speeds while crossing the Pacific. A mission-critical feature is the OSCAR AI system, which provides 24/7 visual and thermal monitoring for small-object collision avoidance during night watches. Source: YouTube - Episode 'Updated Boat Tour'

Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters

The Big Left Turn: Galápagos to the Marquesas

The defining passage of Sailing AWEN’s 2026 season was the transit from Panama through the Galápagos Islands to French Polynesia. This 4,000-mile route, known as the 'Coconut Run,' required precise energy management and weather routing to navigate the doldrums of the ITCZ. After a month-long ecological immersive stay in the Galápagos, the crew utilized the performance of AWEN to maintain high daily averages during the long swell of the Pacific Passage, documenting the technical reality of downwind reefing with a massive kite in the air. Source: Sailing AWEN Ep. 126

⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline

• 2020: Departed Tahoe; purchased AWEN (Fountaine Pajot Saona 47).
• 2021-2022: Cruised the Caribbean and the Bahamas; identified the need for a performance catamaran.
• 2023: Took delivery of the new Outremer 52 in La Grande-Motte, France.
• 2024-2025: Transatlantic crossing and season in the Caribbean/Antilles.
• 2026 (Jan): Transit of the Panama Canal.
• 2026 (April): Month-long expedition in the Galápagos Islands.
• 2026 (May): Landfall in the Marquesas, French Polynesia.

🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails

Currently navigating French Polynesia, the crew is highly cognizant of the South Pacific Cyclone Season (Nov-April) and the seasonal risk of Mara’amu winds. During their Pacific passage, they utilized high-bandwidth Starlink data to monitor the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ), ensuring their Outremer’s high speeds were utilized to avoid high-intensity pressure systems. In the Marquesas, their focus shifts to managing the heavy ocean swell and the surge in remote anchorages, requiring high-authority ground tackle protocols. Source: Sailing AWEN Podcast - Covert Castaway

Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges

🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware

Holly and Stéphane prioritize gear that enhances safety and performance on a shorthand boat. Source: noforeignland.com/boat/awen

📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard

Operating a high-performance multihull requires a forensic eye for systems integration. Here is our assessment as of May 2026:

• Energy Autonomy (10/10): Massive solar investment and lithium storage allow for induction cooking and 24/7 technical monitoring.
• Sailing Performance (10/10): The Outremer 52 with carbon mast is the gold standard for blue-water multihull velocity.
• Safety Authority (10/10): Integration of OSCAR AI and professional-grade navigation suites provides industry-leading safety.
• Communication Grade (10/10): Integrated Starlink and a dedicated podcast production suite for remote content creation.

Skills & Tutorials: Learning from Sailing AWEN

What can a viewer learn from the channel? It is a masterclass in performance catamaran management and high-tech navigation. Stéphane provides actionable detail on daggerboard optimization, the structural logic of carbon rigging, and the forensics of AI collision avoidance. Simultaneously, Holly provides invaluable insights into the logistics of a mid-life career transition, showing how to apply corporate project management discipline to a global voyage. Their 2026 tutorials on downwind reefing (featuring Nikki Henderson) are a primary resource for multihull owners looking to safely push their vessels. Source: YouTube - Ep. 126 'So Much Water'

The YouTube Journey and Financing the Dream

🎙️ Community Pulse & Audience Vibe

The Sailing AWEN audience is defined by its maturity and interest in the technical and philosophical reality of high-end cruising. By choosing not to monetize their YouTube channel, Holly and Stéphane have earned a unique level of trust, positioning their content as a service rather than a product. Their signature phrase, "Life as a sailor is about resolution," reflects a balanced, sustainable philosophy. Their Podcast (Covert Castaway) provides the backbone for their community engagement, often diving deeper into the technical failures and triumphs that are edited out of traditional lifestyle vlogs. Source: sailingAWEN.com

💰 Cruising Budget & Financial Blueprint

Holly and Stéphane have built a self-funded model based on their successful careers in the tech industry. Source: Covert Castaway Podcast Episode 42

Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching

• Sailing the Pacific Passage (Ep. 126): A 2026 tactical look at the 3,000 NM transit to the Marquesas.
• Magical Galapagos (Ep. 125): An immersive look at the ecological wonders and diving challenges of the archipelago.
• Panama Canal Transit (Ep. 121): A technical guide to the pucker factor of a canal transit for a multihull.

Channels Similar to Sailing AWEN

• Sailing La Vagabonde: For fans of high-production multihull voyaging (Rapido/Outremer comparisons).
• Lady K Sailing: For viewers interested in high-authority boat reviews and performance technical advice.
• RAN Sailing: For those who appreciate cinematic storytelling and the technical maintenance of blue-water vessels.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing AWEN