From Superyacht Engineer to YouTube Sailing Star

Colin MacRae, a New Zealander with a background as a chief engineer on superyachts, transformed his life when he spent his savings on a hurricane-damaged catamaran and began documenting the restoration journey online. His YouTube channel, Sailing Parlay Revival, has since grown into one of the most popular sailing channels, chronicling adventures across the world's oceans.^[1]^[2]

The channel began in June 2018, following Colin's purchase of a Lagoon 450 catamaran that had been severely damaged by Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands. With no prior fiberglass experience, Colin and friends set about restoring the vessel to its former glory, documenting each step of the way.^[3]^[11]

The Hurricane-Damaged Vessel That Started It All

SV Parlay, the star of the YouTube channel, is a 2012 Lagoon 450 catamaran that was deemed a "constructive total loss" by insurance companies after Hurricane Irma. One of the hulls had sunk before the vessel was salvaged. The boat features four cabins, four heads, and a flybridge for navigation. Colin has upgraded the vessel with 1600W of solar power to charge its 800Ah battery bank, making it well-suited for long-term cruising.^[4]

What began as a restoration project has evolved into a global sailing adventure, with Colin and various crew members navigating through the Caribbean, across the Pacific, and now through Asia with plans to continue toward the Indian Ocean.^[8]

YouTube Success and Channel Growth

As of May 2025, Sailing Parlay Revival boasts approximately 367,000 subscribers and over 67 million total views across more than 350 videos. The channel typically receives around 9,000 likes per video, showing strong audience engagement.^[6]^[5]

According to analytics platform SPEAKRJ, the channel generates estimated monthly earnings between $640 and $14,400, with yearly projections between $7,800 and $175,100. These figures highlight the channel's growth from a personal project to a sustainable business venture.^[6]

Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic period marked significant growth for the channel. Colin has mentioned that subscriber numbers increased substantially during this time when the boat was undergoing repairs in Panama after discovering broken bulkheads, delaying their Pacific crossing.^[12]

Recent Adventures Across Southeast Asia

In early 2025, Sailing Parlay Revival has been documenting journeys through Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. A February 2025 episode captured the crew's experience at a wooden sailing canoe regatta in the Ninigo islands (Papua New Guinea), where locals competed for a prize of 10,000 Kina (approximately $2,500 USD).^[7]

By April 2025, the channel was showcasing their navigation from Indonesia to the Philippines, highlighting challenges such as unfavorable wind conditions, strong currents, and interactions with local authorities. Recent episodes have featured diverse experiences, from exploration of remote islands to encounters with other unique vessels, including a tour of expedition boats carrying crews of 24 people.^[8]^[9]

Beyond YouTube: Reality TV and Media Presence

Colin's sailing expertise has extended beyond his own channel, with appearances on Bravo's reality TV show "Below Deck Sailing Yacht" for two seasons. This crossover brought new audiences to Sailing Parlay Revival, contributing to the channel's growth. During a recent interview in May 2025 while visiting family in New Zealand, Colin discussed challenges encountered at sea, including encounters with pirates.^[12]^[10]

In addition to YouTube content creation and television appearances, Colin has established a merchandise line available through the Parlay Revival website, offering clothing and accessories for fans of the channel.^[11]

Connection With Audience and Community

The channel has developed a loyal following, with Colin noting that attending boat shows like the Annapolis Boat Show results in significant fan recognition. This community connection extends to social media platforms like Instagram, where Colin provides daily updates about their journeys.^[12]^[13]