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08/04/2026
Cruising | Aboard
Meet Kayleigh Brown: Preparing Enya For New Adventures
Adventure doesn’t begin when the lines are slipped or the sails are raised. It begins much earlier - with the decisions made ashore, the preparation behind every passage and the willingness to understand both your boat and your own limits.
That thoughtful approach to life on the water is one of the reasons Scottish sailor and adventurer Kayleigh Brown caught our attention.
Kayleigh is no stranger to adventure. She has solo sailed offshore in Australia, completed a 1,000-kilometre solo bike-packing journey across the South West Corner of Australia, cycled the length of New Zealand and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, which sparked her passion for marine conservation. Every challenge has demanded careful planning, sound judgement and a healthy respect for the environment
Now, she is beginning a different kind of journey on board a boat of her own….
Meet Enya
Enya is a 26-foot Victoria Yacht, designed by Chuck Paine and built in 1996. While Kayleigh brings years of sailing experience, owning a boat is something entirely different. Every yacht has her own history, quirks and personality. Understanding them takes time, as does taking responsibility for every system, every maintenance decision and every passage you plan.
That's exactly what Kayleigh shares so well. Rather than focusing only on destinations, she’s been able to capture the reality of boat ownership - the preparation, the maintenance, the learning and the decisions that happen long before the sails are hoisted.
It's an honest approach that reflects something every experienced sailor understands: confidence on the water is built over time.
The first important decision
Before setting off onboard Enya, Kayleigh made one important decision. She commissioned a professional marine survey. It wasn't about looking for reasons not to own the boat, it was about understanding her properly.
The survey identified a handful of areas that would require attention in the future, including the rigging and engine mounts. That wasn't bad news - it was valuable information.
A good survey provides owners with a clearer understanding of their boat, helping them prioritise maintenance, plan future investment and make informed decisions from day one. It's one of the smartest investments any owner can make and helps build the confidence that comes from truly knowing your boat.
Just as importantly, understanding your boat from the outset also helps make sure your insurance reflects the vessel you're taking out on the water and any future plans you have for her.
Preparing for what's next
Kayleigh has ambitious plans for Enya. Future adventures could take them through the Caledonian Canal, around the Hebrides and, in time, perhaps even to Norway.
Before then, Enya will be lifted ashore later this year for inspection and maintenance, with work likely to include the standing rigging, engine mounts, solar power and onboard electronics.
It's a reminder that some of the most important work in boat ownership isn't always the most visible. Looking after a boat is an ongoing process of inspection, maintenance and making informed decisions before small issues become bigger ones. Those are experiences many owners will recognise, whether preparing for an offshore passage or simply another enjoyable season on the water.
Sailing with purpose
Kayleigh's connection with the sea extends beyond sailing itself. She donates 10% of work profits to Scottish marine conservation projects, helping to protect the waters she spends so much time exploring, having seen first hand the challenges facing our oceans, such as coral bleaching and plastic pollution. She is now using her journey to raise awareness, protect marine environments and encourage others to care for them.
It's not something she's introduced because of Enya - it's already part of how she chooses to work, and it's another reason her story resonated with us.
At Pantaenius UK, we believe boating is about more than reaching a destination. It's about preparing well, taking responsibility for your boat and respecting the environment that makes every adventure possible.
Following the journey
Later this year, while Enya is ashore, Kayleigh will return to Australia to spend time sailing with her partner and experiencing a different boating environment. It's an exciting opportunity to follow her adventures from the other side of the world too, with our colleagues at Pantaenius Australia helping us continue the story until she's back in Scotland preparing Enya for her next voyage.
We'll be following her journey over the coming months as she shares the realities of boat ownership, thoughtful preparation and life on the water.
For watching Kayleigh’s adventures go to - https://www.youtube.com/c/KayleighBrown
