Sailing Parlay Revival
Superyacht engineer Colin MacRae resurrected a hurricane-damaged Lagoon 450 and took it around the world. Discover the technical grit of Parlay Revival.
Channel Information:
Social Media Links:
In the high-stakes world of maritime salvage and blue-water circumnavigation, few stories resonate with the raw grit of Sailing Parlay Revival. Led by Colin MacRae, a former superyacht chief engineer from New Zealand, the channel documents the resurrection of Parlay—a 2017 Lagoon 450 catamaran that was deemed a total loss after Hurricane Irma. What began as a desperate attempt to save a broken hull has evolved into a global masterclass in composite engineering, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of the "Big Left Turn" into the Pacific.
Key Takeaways
- Channel Vibe: High-energy, technical, and brutally honest. Colin combines professional engineering expertise with a "never give up" attitude toward catamaran refitting.
- The Boat: SV Parlay, a Lagoon 450 famously reinforced after catastrophic structural bulkhead failures and hurricane damage.
- The Journey: Currently navigating the complex waters of Southeast Asia (Phuket, Thailand) while preparing for a crossing of the Indian Ocean.
⚓ Quick Specs & Channel Vitals
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name/Type | SV Parlay / Lagoon 450 |
| Sailing Style | Global Circumnavigation / Technical Salvage |
| Key GEO Focus | Caribbean, Pacific, New Zealand, SE Asia |
| Primary Tech | 2160Ah Battle Born Lithium, Starlink, High-Output Alternators |
| Technical Focus | Structural Bulkhead Reinforcement, Fiberglasing, Diesel Maintenance |
| Notable Milestone | Circumnavigation of New Zealand (2024) |
Meet the Crew and the Vessel
The Sailors Behind the Helm
Colin MacRae isn't your typical vlogger. With a professional background as a chief engineer on some of the world's most prestigious superyachts, he brings a level of technical forensics to Parlay that is rarely seen in the amateur cruising community. Joined by a rotating crew of skilled friends and volunteers, the Parlay team has become a tight-knit unit capable of rebuilding a boat while on anchor. Source: parlayrevival.com
The Boat: SV Parlay
The story of Parlay is legendary in the Lagoon community. After surviving the 180-knot winds of Hurricane Irma, the boat faced an even greater threat: the infamous structural bulkhead failure common to many Lagoon 450s. Colin and his team performed a heroic "open-heart surgery" on the hull in Panama, glassing in massive reinforcements that have since allowed the boat to cross the Pacific. Most recently in Thailand, they discovered and repaired secondary rot in the engine room bulkheads, continuing their legacy of technical vigilance. Source: Sailing-Tellus.com
Voyages, Destinations, and Local Waters
⏳ Voyage Milestone Timeline
- 2018: Purchase of the hurricane-damaged hull in the BVI.
- 2021: Critical structural bulkhead refit in Panama.
- 2023: Successful Pacific Crossing and arrival in the Marquesas.
- 2024: Homebound journey to New Zealand and full circumnavigation of the North and South Islands.
- 2025-2026: Transit through Indonesia to Malaysia and Thailand; preparation for the Indian Ocean.
🌪️ Regional Weather Guardrails
Currently based in Phuket, Thailand, the Parlay crew must manage the distinct SW Monsoon (May – October) and NE Monsoon (November – April) patterns. Navigating the Andaman Sea requires careful timing to avoid the onset of the wet monsoon, which brings unpredictable squalls and heavy swells. As they prepare for the Indian Ocean, they are monitoring the transition periods that offer the best windows for the long trek toward the Red Sea or South Africa. Source: WeBoating Maritime Weather Reference
Life Aboard: Techniques, Gear, and Challenges
🛠️ The Gear Locker: Crucial Hardware
| Category | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Energy | 2160Ah (26kW) Battle Born Lithium Bank + Massive Solar Array |
| Propulsion | 2x Yanmar 4JH57 with custom fuel polishing systems |
| Comms | Starlink Maritime (High-Performance Dish) |
| Ground Tackle | Heavy-duty Rocna with reinforced windlass for high-cyclic use |
📊 Vessel Systems Health Scorecard
| Energy Autonomy | 10/10 (Induction + 26kW Lithium + Off-grid capability) |
| Structural Integrity | 7/10 (Ongoing secondary bulkhead repairs; primary hull reinforced) |
| Communication Grade | 10/10 (Starlink + dedicated editing suite) |
| Water Independence | 9/10 (High-output 110V Watermaker) |
Top Episodes: Where to Start Watching
- Rotten Bulkhead Issues Again!: A raw look at the secondary structural challenges found in Thailand.
- Living Off-Grid at Sea: The technical details of their massive 26kW lithium installation.
- Diesel Bug Debacle: Troubleshooting the aluminum fuel tank corrosion that nearly ended their Thai season.
Channels Similar to Sailing Parlay Revival
- Sail Life: Mads Dahlke shares the same "engineer’s eye" and dedication to structural over-engineering on GRP hulls.
- Sailing SV Delos: Pioneers of the modern sailing vlog who have recently transitioned to a technical aluminum build.
- Holly and Ray: Fellow Lagoon owners (Lagoon 42) who prioritize technical self-sufficiency and DIY repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sailing Parlay Revival
What kind of boat is SV Parlay?
SV Parlay is a 2017 Lagoon 450 catamaran. It is famous for being a hurricane survivor that was rebuilt and reinforced after significant structural bulkhead failures.
Who is the captain of Sailing Parlay Revival?
The captain is Colin MacRae, a professional superyacht chief engineer from New Zealand who used his engineering skills to rebuild the damaged catamaran.
Where is Sailing Parlay Revival currently located?
As of May 2026, Sailing Parlay Revival is in Phuket, Thailand, preparing for a crossing of the Indian Ocean.
What was the bulkhead issue on SV Parlay?
Many Lagoon 450s suffered from structural bulkheads separating from the hull. Colin performed a massive refit in Panama to glass in reinforcements and secure the vessel's integrity.
What lithium battery system does Parlay use?
Parlay recently upgraded to a massive 2160Ah (26kW) lithium house bank using Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries, allowing them to run all-electric appliances off-grid.
How do they fund their circumnavigation?
The journey is funded through Patreon, YouTube revenue, merchandise sales, and occasional sponsorships from brands like Battle Born and Starlink.
Sailing Parlay Revival Journey and Videos Locations
Sailing Parlay Revival Latest Episode
Support Sailing Parlay Revival
At WeBoating.com, we profoundly acknowledge the unwavering dedication that Sailing Parlay Revival invests in crafting each and every video or voyage. Their passion for delivering exceptional ocean content shines through every frame, and it's a labor of love that deserves your attention.
We invite you to watch their captivating videos here and actively engage with their content, including their social media links above. Liking, commenting, and sharing their work goes a long way in fueling their creative fire.
We're also inviting you to explore the gear, sponsorships, and boat partnerships highlighted in the videos descriptions, or directly on YouTube. By engaging with these offerings or purchasing services and items, you directly support Sailing Parlay Revival, their collaborators, and the brands they're associated with.
To ensure you never miss an offshore update, consider visiting their official YouTube Channel to subscribe, like, and join their community directly.
If you have any feedback, corrections, or additional information about Sailing Parlay Revival or their videos, please use the comment form below to share your thoughts with us.
Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting the creators we cherish. Your time and support truly matter!
Watch Sailing Parlay Revival's Latest Videos
Catch up on the most recent updates. Browse the complete video archive and Follow the journey.
Showing 1-24 of 426 results
How am I going to afford to build a 62ft CATAMARAN? – (Episode 384)
Go to or use code SPR at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! In this episode I break down how I am actually going to afford to build a new 62ft aluminum catamaran. We then get stuck into some last minute jobs before we set sail from Thailand to Malaysia! SV Parlay is a hurricane dama...
When Sailors Let Their Egos Takeover 🤣 – (Episode 383)
In this episode our friend Ryan comes over, and things end up getting way too competitive as usual when he's around 😂. But we also do some sailing in Phuket, Thailand with some old friends of mine, who I haven't seen in over 10 years 🥲 SV Parlay is a hurricane damaged Lagoon 450 catamaran...
Should We Build our Aluminum Catamaran in TAIWAN? – (Episode 382)
In this episode we fly to Taiwan to meet with the owner of Ocean Group Asia, who insists that Taiwan is a great place to build our 62ft Aluminum catamaran! So we fly there to see this with our own eyes. To join us on Patreon and get exclusive content and a chance to come sailing with us click here!...
Removing CONTROVERSIAL Lithium Batteries Off My Boat! – (Part 2) – Episode 381
Here is the link to Part 1 where we give away the $30,000 worth of batteries! In this episode we finish the Lithium battery conversion from Battleborns to Victron, and I couldn't be happier. We dive deep into why and how we did every part of the install, and in the end get everything working...
Giving away $30,000 worth of LITHIUM BATTERIES! – (Episode 380)
In this episode we remove our battleborn batteries and replace them with Victron NG lithium batteries here in Phuket. There has been a lot of drama surrounding our old batteries, including YouTuber Will Prowse getting sued for simply testing and commenting on their batteries, so I am glad to have al...
Spontaneous trip to Canada to visit a special someone! – (Episode 379)
In this episode we fly to Canada on a last minute trip to visit Britt's family, and also the Chosen one, who lives in New Brunswick. We also go to the incredible Niagara Falls, which is absolutely mind blowing! To join us on Patreon and get exclusive content and a chance to come sailing with u...
Every Sailor Needs This Lightning Protection System! – Part 2 – (Episode 378)
In this episode we find out exactly how the Sertec CMCE device works, and I show you how we installed ours at the top of the mast. You can watch part 1 of these episodes here: If you’d like to know more about the Sertec lightning protection system, EMAIL them at [email protected] SV P...
Installing the Ultimate Lightning Protection System! – Part 1 – (Episode 377)
In this episode we get an in depth explanation of how lightning actually forms, and why we are installing a new Sertec CMCE device at the top of the mast. There are over 20,000 of these units installed around the world, and so far none of them have been struck by lightning. Those sound like pretty g...
From Military Sniper to Sailing Around the World – (Episode 376)
In this episode Vance opens up about his time as a military sniper, and how he got serious PTSD from this career, including horrible nightmares ruining his quality of life. Until he found sailing. Vance has now vowed to help other veterans by introducing them to a life at sea. To check out his websi...
Getting into a HIGH SPEED RACE in a CRAZY WOODEN BOAT! – (Episode 375)
In this episode we invite some of our patreons to come sailing with us in Phuket, Thailand, and it ends up being an action packed week indeed! From sailing, to partying, to racing in longtail boats, it had it all! If you'd like to see what it takes to become a patron, just click this link bel...
OUR FUEL TANK NIGHTMARE CONTINUES! – (Episode 374)
In this episode we continue with our diesel tank dilemma, as we pull out our starboard fuel tank seeing the condition of our port tank. We had a severe case of diesel bug, which corroded the bottom of the tank, but there was also corrosion on the outside of the tank from the wooden frame. Hope starb...
ALUMINUM CATAMARAN BUILD UPDATE + We Get A Brand New Tender! – (Episode 372)
Email [email protected] if you want to be involved with the new build! In this episode we get a brand new Highfield dinghy, but it is too heavy for our davits so we have to make a winch system, which a member of the lagoon catamaran group designed. We make a few modifications, and it ...
This Aircon Can Run Purely off your Solar and Batteries! – (Episode 372)
In this episode we finish the installation of 4 air conditioning units which we can run purely off our 12V battery bank. We also finish the install of our brand new galley counter top here in Thailand. What a difference! If you want to check out these aircon units for yourself just head over to ww...
The Reality of BOAT OWNERSHIP May be Tougher than you think! – (Episode 370)
In this episode we give Matt and Naomi a crash course in sailing, on their new to them fountaine Pajot catamaran in the south of France. But they dont have ordinary jobs, they have a YouTube channel with 10 million subscribers doing something called ASMR Mukbang! you can check out their channel at @...
We Are Building a 60ft Aluminum Catamaran FROM SCRATCH! – (Episode 370)
Email [email protected] if you want to join the team! We are finally announcing the plans to build a 60ft Aluminum catamaran from scratch! After living at sea for 18 years, I think we have designed the ultimate blue water cruising catamaran, which is capable of going to Antarctica. We...
The New Generation of CATAMARANS Built to Sail ANYWHERE! – Part 2 – (Episode 369)
Here is a link to part 1 of our Aluminum catamaran episodes! These episodes give exclusive tours of the Cataruga, Explocat, Vaan and Dawn hunters boats! To join us on Patreon and get exclusive content and a chance to come sailing with us click here! Here is a link to @DawnHunters videos! T...
The ALUMINUM CATAMARANS Built to SAIL ANYWHERE! – Part 1 – (Episode 368)
Here is the previous episode with the 18 other catamaran tours, including Delos 2.0! In this episode we get exclusive tours of the Cataruga and Explocat catamarans which are changing the industry forever. We go deep into how they are built, and why people like me think this is the way of the futu...
Are These the BIGGEST SOLAR PANELS You’ve Seen on a BOAT? – (Episode 367)
In this episode we continue with our 6.4kW solar panel installation, but also crack on with a bunch of other boat jobs including re-installing our 500 liter fuel tank, and demolishing the old counter top in our galley to make way for the new one! SV Parlay is a hurricane damaged Lagoon 450 catamara...
Doing BULKHEAD REPAIRS again on my CATAMARAN! – (Episode 366)
In this episode we continue with the rotten bulkhead repair that we found when we removed our fuel tank. But we also take a day off to attend the world's biggest water fight in Phuket thailand, where thousands of people hit the streets to shoot each other with ice cold water! It was the coolest...
ROTTEN BULKHEAD ISSUES AGAIN! + lithium battery update – (Episode 365)
This week we continue to troubleshoot the rotten engine room bulkhead that we found when we removed our fuel tank to be welded. The contractors come and do a great job of welding a new bottom on the tank, but will it pass the pressure test? SV Parlay is a hurricane damaged Lagoon 450 catamaran, whi...
MY RESPONSE TO ALL THE HATERS FROM LAST WEEK… 🤬
Response video to all the hate about my lithium battery episode from last week.... SV Parlay is a hurricane damaged Lagoon 450 catamaran, which Colin rebuilt with friends and has started sailing around the world. They found bulkhead damage on their catamaran in Panama, so have fixed her up, and are...
LIVING OFF-GRID AT SEA | 2160 Amp lithium upgrade! | (Episode 363)
In this episode we address the Battleborn battery controversy, and whether we feel safe installing them in our boat. We also finally get around to pulling our diesel tank out, to get a new bottom welded onto it. But lo and behold, we find a rotten bulkhead behind the tank! Is this boat cursed?! SV ...
A BELOW DECK REUNION in THAILAND! | (Episode 362)
In this episode we race against another lagoon 450, then have a surprise visitor who starred in the reality TV show Below Deck, after taking over from Captain Lee. I also did a few seasons of below deck, so it was fun to hang out again, and share stories, as well as find a massive shipwreck on the r...