Damrak

Beverly Parsons has been chartering since 1969. She is a licensed, bonded broker and a founding member of the professional groups AYCA and CYBA International. Contact Beverly.

Shannon Webster is a longtime AYCA member. She books yachts worldwide from 80 to 400 feet long. Email Shannon

Nicole Caulfield is licensed, bonded, and a longtime member of FYBA and AYCA. She brings a unique perspective as a broker, having worked aboard yachts for nearly 10 years. Email Nicole

Sharon Bahmer is an expert at booking charters in the Americas, from Alaska to Brazil. She's also a member of FYBA and CYBA. E-mail Sharon

Trina Howes has 10 years of experience in the charter industry finding great pleasure in creating the best yachting vacations possible. E-mail Trina

DJ Parker has been a leader in the charter industry since 1980. She is currently president of the American Yacht Charter Association. E-mail DJ

Damrak

First Impression: Damrak

Date toured: December 2009

Damrak is the third hull in the 70-foot powercatamaran series from Sunreef Yachts. Hull No. 1 does not charter as of this writing, but Hull No. 2 does, under the name Sea Bass.
    Two things set Damrak apart from Sea Bass. First is her interior. Sea Bass has darker woods with white leather accents, while Damrak has a combination of light and dark woods with neutral fabrics as accents. Second is her layout. Damrak was built with a larger master cabin, one with a split-level design that includes a sofa, desk, and walk-in closet. To me, it felt more like a suite than any master cabin I have seen aboard other catamarans in this size range for charter.
    The master is one of three cabins aboard Damrak with a queen-size bed. A fourth cabin has twin beds that can be pushed together to form an over-sized king. Thus, as long as you are willing to draw straws for the more spacious master, the layout is good for four couples who want to charter together and split the lowest weekly base rate of €32,000.
    Also worth noting is that Damrak has multiple areas for guest use, which means you can find privacy even if you have a full charter party of eight guests with two to three crew. There’s the main salon, plus another lounge up four steps and then the sundeck outside. The hot tub on the sundeck looks large enough for four people to enjoy comfortably, and the table should seat eight for dinners under the stars at anchor.
    Damrak is expected to spend this winter in the British Virgin Islands and Caribbean before moving to the South of France for the summer 2010 charter season. Sunreef Yachts Charter is the management company, and any reputable charter broker can tell you more or help you book a week onboard.—Kim Kavin