First Impression: Rusalka

Date toured: May 2007

Rusalka is a Russian word that means “water nymph” or “mermaid”—and there couldn’t be a more fitting name for this 78-foot sailing yacht. Custom built by Baltic Yachts in Finland, Rusalka has a hydraulic canting keel that helps her sail even faster than her brochure claims. Average speed upwind is about 13 knots, according to Capt. Daniel Stump, and Rusalka has been known to hit a heart-pounding 25 knots when sailing downwind. 
     “Our ideal charter clients are Italians,” he says with a laugh. “They love Ferraris.”
     Indeed, Rusalka is the kind of charter yacht that is ideal for people who love to sail. She was built in 2000 and is now on her third owner, the first to put her into charter. Stump came onboard with that new owner and has a single season of charter already under his belt. For his second season this summer, he’s taking Rusalka to Greece and Turkey at a weekly base rate of 25,000 euros—or about $7,000 per person for six guests with 25-percent expenses included. The rate may change this winter, when the yacht and her three crew are expected to head to the Caribbean.
     Management company BCR Yachts markets Rusalka as “luxury fast charter,” and I think that’s an apt description based on what I saw. The fast, we’ve already covered. The luxury is evident both inside and out.
    On deck, there is a massive bimini over the cockpit to provide shade whether you’re sitting at the dining table or on one of the three beanbag chairs that can be moved all around the yacht’s deck (a nice, unusual touch).
    Inside, each of the three guest cabins looks to be comfortable with en suite bathrooms. The master is about twice the size of each of the other two guest cabins, but I felt I would have been comfortable staying in any of the cabins.
    Children should be happy onboard, as well, as the yacht’s owner recently installed iPod docking stations and a Sony PlayStation game system.
    Contact any reputable charter broker for booking information.—Kim Kavin