Sailing AWEN
Holly and Stéphane: Former high-tech professionals from Tahoe navigating the global ocean aboard AWEN, a high-performance Outremer 52 catamaran.
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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
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name/Type | AWEN / Outremer 52 (Performance Build) |
| MMSI | 368144540 |
| Sailing Style | High-Performance Blue Water / Circumnavigation |
| Key GEO Focus | French Polynesia / South Pacific (Current) |
| Primary Tech | OSCAR AI, Carbon Mast, Starlink Maritime |
| Technical Focus | Downwind Reefing, AI Collision Avoidance, Lithium Power |
| Notable Milestone | Completed the 3,000 NM 'Big Left Turn' (May 2026) |
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'
| Feature | Specification (Outremer 52) |
|---|---|
| Length Overall (LOA) | 51.7 ft (15.73 m) |
| Beam | 25.9 ft (7.89 m) |
| Draft (Daggerboards Down) | 7.5 ft (2.30 m) |
| Displacement | ~28,000 lbs (Light Ship) |
| Hull Material | GRP / Carbon Reinforced |
| Rig Design | High-Aspect Carbon Mast / Square Top Main |
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
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Propulsion | Twin Nanni Diesel / Performance Folding Props |
| Collision Avoidance | OSCAR AI Visual & Thermal Cam |
| Energy | Custom Solar Hardtop / Large Mastervolt Lithium Bank |
| Sails | North Sails 3Di / Code 0 / Parasailor |
| Connectivity | Starlink Maritime / Iridium GO! Exec Backup |
📊 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
| Metric | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Initial Vessel Cost (Outremer 52) | $1.8M - $2.4M USD (New Performance Build) |
| Voyage Duration | 7 - 10 Year Window (Self-Funded) |
| Monthly Operating Budget | $5,000 - $8,000 (Expedition Cruising) |
| Funding Source | Tech Career Savings / Passive Income / Media Business |
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
AWEN is a 2024 Outremer 52, a high-performance catamaran custom-built for blue-water circumnavigation, featuring a carbon mast and performance daggerboards.
As of May 2026, Holly and Stéphane are in French Polynesia (the Marquesas), having recently crossed the Pacific from the Galápagos.
The core crew consists of Holly Rollo and Stéphane. For their 2026 Pacific crossing, they were joined by professional navigator Nikki Henderson.
No, Holly and Stéphane have chosen not to monetize their YouTube channel, focusing instead on pure storytelling and giving back to the community.
It is Holly and Stéphane's candid weekly podcast that documents the raw transitions, technical failures, and philosophical triumphs of their life at sea.
OSCAR is an AI-driven visual and thermal camera system that monitors the sea for obstacles, providing the crew with 24/7 collision avoidance during ocean passages.
Sailing AWEN Journey and Videos Locations
- South Lake Tahoe, CA, United States, California (37.8502033,-122.032184)
Sailing AWEN Latest Episode
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Watch Sailing AWEN Latest videos
Magical Marquesas EP 128 #sailing #adventure #travel
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we share the magic of the Marquesas Islands after we completed our Pacific passage. You will not believe the rich culture and lush landscape which was a welcome change from open ocean during our passage. We say goodbye to N...
Downwind Reefing #sailing #adventure #bluewater #travel
Downwind sailing is bliss — right up until you need to reef with a kite in the air! This is a special bonus segment with a downwind reefing demonstration pulled from our Pacific Passage series, answering one of your most-asked questions: "how do we do do...
Sailing the Pacific Passage So Much Water EP 126 #sailing #adventure #bluewater #travel
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we cast off on AWEN's longest sailing passage yet across the Pacific Ocean with our crew including Nikki Henderson and our friend Tommy. Join us as we share what boat life is like on passage. Also in this episode, we refine...
Land Ho! The moment we spotted land #shorts #sailing #adventure #frenchpolynesia
This is the moment we spotted land in the distance at sunrise sailing from Galapagos to Marquesas. We’re sailing full-time aboard AWEN, our Outremer 52 performance catamaran, continuing our bluewater sailing journey. From offshore passages and ocean sai...
Sailing Magical Galapagos EP 125 #sailing #adventure #galapagos #travel
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we fend off some persistent intruders as we sail the magical islands of Galapagos for four weeks. We explore Santa Cruz, San Cristobal, Floreana and Isabela Islands and go diving at Kicker Rock, Gordon Rocks and Seymour bef...
Is Sailing to Galapagos Worth It? EP 123 #sailing #adventure #galapagos #travel
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we celebrate crossing the equator with Neptune while sailing to the Galapagos Islands. Also, we share our opinion on whether it's better to fly and visit or stop with your own boat on the way to Marquesas in French Polynesi...
Five Things We Do on Sailing Passage to Galapagos EP 123 #sailing #adventure #galapagos #travel
UPDATED: In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we share an inside look at the five things we do while sailing on passage to Galapagos Islands. We desperately search for wind as we are afraid we will run out of fuel. Also, you will meet our new crew and also som...
Have You Seen the Best Sailing Day Ever! EP 122 #sailing #adventure #panama
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we take you on the best sailing day EVER as we head to Las Perles Islands off Panama. You won't want to miss some of these beautiful stops including Mogo Mogo Island, the scene from the Survivor Series, and we finally solve...
#SHARKS everywhere #diving Kicker Rock Galapagos! #shorts #sailing #galápagos Visit us on YouTube
Moments like this remind us why we choose to live on a sailboat in the first place, to push ourselves into uncomfortable situations while sailing and adventure traveling, take on new challenges that teach is what we are made of. Diving Galapagos is no diff...
Part 2: How to Transit the Panama Canal EP 121 #sailing #adventure
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we share the second of our two-part series on transiting the Panama Canal by boat and how it works. There is quite a bit of pucker factor in this kind of transit but it's also an epic experience. You won't want to miss impo...
How to Transit the Panama Canal, Part 1 EP 120 #sailing #adventure
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we share the first of a two-part series on transiting the Panama Canal by boat and how it works. There is quite a bit of pucker factor in this kind of transit but it's also an epic experience. You won't want to miss importa...
Final Push Before the Panama Canal | Pressure is On! EP119
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we do our final push to prepare transiting from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal. There's a lot of lingering prep work, medical visits, a quick trip back home for personal business, and provisionin...
An Interesting Situation While Sailing EP 118
In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we explore more of San Blas Islands, take you underwater, in the jungle and deal with an interesting and unexpected situation while sailing with a jammed furler! Then, we completely fail the 15 second liferaft test! While ...
Five Hard Lessons We’re Learning at Anchor EP 117 #sailing #boatlife
Living at anchor sounds like paradise — but the reality of full-time catamaran life comes with challenges. In this episode of Sailing AWEN, we share 5 hard lessons we’re learning while living at anchor on our catamaran, from daily logistics to staying ...
Unexpected Invitation EP 116 #sailing #boatlife #adventure
More sailing adventures in paradise as we explore more of San Blas Islands in Panama. We have a beautiful downwind sail from Chichime to the lovely Cocos Banderos where we get an unexpected invitation from some locals that became friends. #trending =====...
Escape with Us, No Help! 115 #sailing #adventure #escape
If you need a little vacation, this episode is for you! We escape back to San Blas Islands for some of the most serene cruising grounds in the world! Unfortunately, we had to work to get there tackling the big winds from the north from Columbia, all upwind...
Panama Monkey Business EP 114 #sailing #adventure
We take you to Panama City to explore the sights, preview the canal before our crossing and meet with our agent, and apply for the long-stay visa. We go on a jungle adventure and discover a wild sanctuary and discover the amazing sights of Panama! =======...
Guna Yala Experience EP 113 #sailing #adventure
In this episode we explore the amazing San Blas Islands in Panama as we finish sailing from Aruba to Panama. We have an unexpected visitor and a anchor mishap. ============== 🔔Subscribe now and join us on our adventure. Don't wait - hit subscribe now!...
OOPS! First Injury EP 112 #sailing #boatlife
In this episode we sail 600 nautical miles from Aruba to San Blas Islands in Panama and Stephane wrangles the asymmetrical spinnaker in our little sailboat rodeo. This marks our first injury where we've had to bust out the medical kit and we learn from our...
What’s in the Closets? EP 111 #sailing #boatlife
Prep work continues in Aruba to get AWEN back together and ready to sail to Panama. We walk you through what's in our closets and cabinets as we start the new season. LOTS of boatwork going on, and lots of help! Special thanks to Tortuga and Mirabai for al...
It Takes a Village EP 110 #sailing #boatlife
Little sailing projects can build up over time and be overwhelming to do all at once when we start a new season, so we called in some backup to help us out. In this episode we share some projects that got done while we were away by The Yacht Mate. Yacht ...
Ladies Only: GRWM on a Sailboat #grwm #boatlife
🤭JUST FOR FUN: By special request == I had to google search #grwm when a few ladies reached out and asked me to make a video like this🤓. I have no idea what I'm doing ladies, but it works for me! 💋PRODUCTS I USE: Tinted Sunscreens: Avène 50+, St...