First Impression: ReAction

Date toured: November 2007

The name ReAction—with that mid-word capital “A”—is intended to let charter guests know what this 55-foot sailing catamaran is all about. The 1988 build was one of the first bigger catamarans to enter the Virgin Islands fleet back in the mid-1990s, and she’s been entertaining charter guests onboard ever since.
     “There’s a lot of newer boats here, but that also means new crew,” Capt. Ian (of the two-person Ian and Polly team) told me during my tour. “We’ve been here for two years now, so we’re still new enough to be enthusiastic, but we also are well experienced.”
     The yacht has a virtually weather-proof cockpit area, shielded by a hard top as well as isinglass (which is like clear vinyl enclosures that can be removed). Thus, you should be able to enjoy all meals outdoors, sitting at a pair of tables that can be connected or kept apart.
     ReAction’s cabins are a bit different than those onboard most other sailing catamarans, with two queen-size beds, one double-size bed, and one twin-bed cabin that is organized as upper and lower bunks. Each cabin has a wet head, meaning the shower and toilet are in the same compartment.
     Of interest to certified scuba fans is that diving is allowed directly from the yacht—as well as from the 15-foot tender with hard top that ReAction offers. That’s an unusual option as a tender among Virgin Islands sailing catamarans, and the hard top ensures at least some shade onboard while you wait for the other divers to surface.
     The yacht’s all-inclusive rates were $12,900 to $16,400 for four to eight guests during my tour, but as of this article’s publishing date in June 2008, they have risen to $13,200 to $17,200 for eight days and seven nights (about $2,100 to $3,300 per person). ReAction has its own nifty website if you want to see more photos, and it’s part of the fleet at Regency Yacht Vacations (a CharterWave sponsor).
     Contact any reputable charter broker for more information.—Kim Kavin