Meet the team !
David Allouch
David made his career as an entrepreneur in finance and media, before buying a catamaran in 2013 and heading off to explore the oceans with his family. His passion for sailing started on his optimist at age 5 and with the love for the sea and ocean racing always present, his military service was completed on an oceanographic research vessel as watch captain. Over the years he has competed in many in-shore and off-shore races around Europe, solo as well as with crews.
This as well as his experience with the preparation of his own boat give him an all-round competence in sailing and boat preparation. His past in investment banking as well as CEO of tech and media companies brings a deep understanding of markets and financing and makes him an excellent adviser in the financial aspects of boat sales.
Nikki Puttergill
Born and raised in Cape Town, Nikki Puttergill did her first offshore race, 1800 miles from Mauritius to Durban at age 16. She has participated in many regattas, in South Africa and Europe, on dinghies as well as larger yachts.
Parallel to her sailing experiences, Nikki graduated from Cape Town University with a bachelor degree in civil engineering and later an MBA. She had a successful career in IT in London and Paris, most notably managing complex e-commerce solutions for large companies and developing e-business solutions for the entertainment industry within the Accenture group.
She sailed from France to Tahiti on a catamaran before joining the Sail Tahiti adventure.
Etienne Bogaert
Born in the Alps, Etienne grew up within elements and nature. In this context he fell in love with ski, bike, alpinism, river surf, kite and paragliding.
After an engineer degree in composites materials and a master in sport management, he leaves his mountain homeland and lake sailing to join Brazil. Eager for adventures & travel, and enjoy an outdoor industry experience, he finally heads French Polynesia to propose his skill in technical product retail serving Sail Tahiti.
Etienne support today our charter and sell activity as online and on the ground. He will be happy to assist you in your project!
Turi Tetihia
Turi studied environmental engineering in France and worked for Suez (French utility company) as an offer and innovation project manager. Originally from Tahiti, she moved back to be closer to here roots, initially working for Papeete’s administration as a sustainable development project manager.
However, her passion is sailing and the sea. A qualified C.P.L. (professional maritime qualification for the command of power boats to 17m), she also sails regularly with friends around islands and has crewed for several boat deliveries to the Tuamotu and Leeward islands.
On top of all our caretaking as well as our developing boat club activities, we’re excited to have Turi on board!
Lionel Rodolausse
Lionel lived in Tahiti from 1998 to 2001 where he met his wife, a native of Rurutu. After twenty years in France in the nautical industry where he held positions as a technician and then as a manager in the manufacture and follow-up of large yachts, notably the Lagoon 77 and the Couach launches, Lionel has returned to Tahiti to head our Service and aftersale division. Whether you need technical advise, you want to order some spare parts and want to plan a full refit of your boat Lionel is always happy to help.
He is a passionate surfer and Vaa enthusiast and when not at work he’s most likely riding one of Tahiti’s top reef spots
Yann Ollivier
Raised in northern Brittany, Yann has spent much of his life at sea. Weather on his windsurfing board in the cold waves of the pink granite coast, on a small 28-foot sloop in the ice of Spitsbergen, or with his family on the other side of the world. A professional sailing instructor, Yann is also an experienced senior engineer. With a 14-year career in the microelectronics industry, he may have found the perfect balance between his passion for new technologies and sailing here in Tahiti!
We’re living in an exciting era of innovation and low carbon performance in the sailing world. Whether it’s lithium, high definition 3D sonar, solar or wind powered generators, Yann is the go-to guy for all technical questions and new projects.
Ryan Levinson
Member of the US Olympic Sailing Team, sailing professor at the University of San Diego, lifeguard and head of the Big Wave World Tours lifeguard team, captain of a 124-foot superyacht, founder of the 1st kitesurfing school in California, tri-athlete, North Sails and Specialized Bicycles ambassador, Ryan has been sailing in Polynesia for 10 years with his wife Nicole on their high-performance catamaran Kiapa Nui. Their YouTube channel Two Afloat Sailing is famous for the quality of its content.
Ryan is now an ASA (American Sailing Association) certified instructor and joins the Sail Tahiti team as an Adventure and Safety Consultant. Based between Moorea and California, his mission is to advise and train all those who want to embark on a great sailing adventure and explore the Pacific by boat.
Emmanuel Hahn
Passionate by the sea and the Fenua, Emmanuel settled in Polynesia in 1992 and knows Tahiti and its islands like the back of his hand. He has worked in many professions in the territory, from diving instructor on an 18m sailboat to salesman throught the archipelagos. Involved in boating and outdoor sports, he brings to the team his entrepreneurial spirit and his expertise of the territory. Emmanuel has always had a boat and knows the Polynesian waters well. Happy owner of his Amel Maramu, he shares his boating experience with us by using his skills in commercial negotiation, and joins the ranks of Sail Tahiti on the Brokerage / Pre-owned part. He is keen to meet you to support you in your boat purchase projects and offer you the best offer that will meet your needs.
Our Clients
Dec, 2023 : What an unexpected turn of events. We decided to buy a new boat while in French Polynesia. Sail Tahiti guided us through the process as it can be quite stressful making a large purchase in a foreign country where we don’t speak the language or know the laws. These guys were there with us every step of the process, making sure our concerns were addressed and we left the transaction feeling good.
July, 2021: I signed a mandate with Sail Tahiti to sell my boat in March. Less than two months later a Purchase Agreement was signed with a buyer. Sail Tahiti managed a transaction that was not a walk in the park. Multiple stakeholders (buyer, leaser, bank), trans-national regulations and covid restrictions that keeps evolving made it a good challenge. Sail Tahiti overcame all these constraints with a friendly touch. Very good service, thank you David !
Feb, 2021: Tahiti Sail achieved a fair outcome in difficult circumstances, never an easy affair, with plenty of emotion, I did have my ups and downs but would I recommend them to sell your dream …. Yes is my answer due to hard work, integrity and pragmatism.