Le Reve L620 Essence - Crewed Catamaran Charter

Dirk & Sandy,

We had wonderful trip thanks to your hospitality and skills. We did get the owners cabin, but that was not the key ingredient. It was delicious food and great wines and actually standing up on the e-foil.
You two are a beautiful couple. The magic ingredient to the most perfect vacation. Thank you for your “can-do” attitude. We hope to see you next in Nantucket!

Sandy was a superb chef, all meals were tasty and well presented. The yacht was very clean and comfortable. Dirk and Sandy were very friendly and professional. We had an excellent time aboard
Le Reve.

XO- The Andlinger´s


Sandy & Dirk-

Thank you for the extra ordinary hospitality and skill operation of Le Reve. Your boat is a beauty and was the perfect vessel to explore the Virgin Islands! Thank you for the recommendations of the various ports of call and snorkeling/scuba/hiking sites. You both are worth your weight and gold, and were especially invaluable with charming personalities. Gourmet food and waters sports you made the trip to the VI unforgettable and we can’t wait to return aboard Le Reve!! Come see us in Chappy!

-Pam & Jay Bryan

I’ve had to put down my champagne glass to write a few words of thanks and admiration for the high-level of hospitality and skill you gifted us with this week. Mastered Yes, Captain! Yes, Chef! As answers to “ would you like another…?” Want to e-foil/scuba/beach snorkel? I’m satisfied and simply & totally relaxed. You haven’t seen the last of me and Frank, who promises to remove his earbuds at some point!

Come visit us in Chappy!

-Margo & Frank Walter

The food was very good. I was particularly impressed with her ability to navigate our situation which included 1 vegetarian, 2 lactose intolerant, and 1 committed carnivore. All the meals prepared had something that made everyone happy and I’m sure it wasn’t easy to construct a menu within those constraints for 3 meals a day.

We had poor weather for half the trip but our Captain made sure we had safe harbor and as smooth a ride as possible under the conditions. We also found things to do (the hydrofoil, scuba diving) where the lack of sunshine didn’t matter too much. They also extend our trip by a half day so that once we did have sun we could take the gang to the Soggy Dollar Bar. That was very much appreciated by me and the team.

The boat was great - good size for the 6 of us with plenty of space to gather together while also plenty of outside space if someone wanted to be off by themself reading.

Dirk and Sandy overall were very delightful and we enjoyed getting to know them. Dirk was a master cocktail maker and as noted above Sandy kept us all happily fed.

We would certainly book with them again if we do this trip in the future.

Thanks,
Tom Marriott

Wow, oh wow, what a spectacular journey we have had a board Le rêve. From the moment we stepped on board in the pouring rain, then the skies cleared and the wonderful good times sailed on in. The food, the wine, the wonderful care and attention you put into every detail and thoughtful efforts made each minute on the boat a dream. Thank you for the special memories we will always cherish. Happiest days! Gretchen and Jos, Wendy and Jon, James and Katharine

Dear Captain/Doctor Dirk and Chef extraordinaire Sandy – seven days has always gone by far too quickly in the past so we found the perfect solution in chartering for 10 days! How fortunate are we?! We loved every single moment of our of our amazing adventure! Thanks so much for yet another unforgettable trip! The food the diving and other activities were fantastic! See you again next year.

´John B.! John B! John B.!´ (this is a reference to Le Rêve starring in the hit series Outer Banks.)

We had such a great last sailing with you guys! Tethered swims, floating in the water chairs, and of course the infamous Dirk rescue mission to save the fallen beer and coozie! We knew Dirk was the man for the mission - it was like watching a member of seal team six spring into action as Dirk dove from the boat with precise and determined focus. surfacing minutes later successful - fulfilling the mission objective.

Sandy, broken foot and all, danced around the galley preparing beautiful and delicious meals for us to enjoy – not the run of the mill fare but tastes and aromas that made each meal and experience we thoroughly enjoyed. Then there were the appetizers on the flybridge completely twinkling stars and a beautiful full moon… We could go on (to quote ´Steve Perry from the band Journey) and on and on and on! Thanks for an amazing week you guys are the best keep sailing Le Rêve! Love, The “Kids”

Dear Sandy and Dirk, what an incredible once in a lifetime experience! I said years ago for my 40th I dreamed of going on a boat with dear friends. You made my dream come true and beyond! I´ll never forget getting my piña colada served my ocean seat and my wine at sunset in the water watching stars come out, or tubing to Saba rock! So much laughter! And relaxation and beauty! And you both bring such a sense of calm and ease to everything. The food is SENSATIONAL, gorgeous, delicious and nutritious! Such a glorious time and a dream come true. Thanks for being our new friends and opening this new world to us! We will see you again! Jenny and Katie, Jesse and Michael, Shilpi and Bryan

It´s hard to express how wonderful you have made this past week. You welcomed us into your home and treated us like favorite family members! We are so thankful for your fun spirit, attention to detail and outstanding knowledge of all things BVI! Your recommendations were spot on and we appreciated your flexibility. You are definitely people people and your love of the sea shines through you both. We wish you so much success with all of your endeavors and we sincerely hope that our paths cross again. Pam, Don, Mary, Kirk, Allison and Hoby

How did you find your crew? Were they friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and accommodating?
Dirk and Sandy were one of a kind. They were amazing hosts and we have even been communicating with them since we´ve returned. We absolutely love them. They were fantastic in every sense of the word, and we could not have asked for a better crew; Kind, knowledgeable, fun, experienced, and simply great to be around.

Was the yacht comfortable, clean and well ventilated? What was your favorite aspect of the yacht?
Le Reve was pristine and spacious. We loved all the different areas to “hang out.” Additionally, we certainly appreciated the freshwater maker, scuba locker with tank refilling capabilities, air conditioning, tender, shower on the stern, and ensuite bathrooms. The beds were more comfortable than home! She was a beauty.

Was the food enjoyable and well presented? Did the chef customize the menu to your preferences?
Every meal was out of this world. Sandy is an outstanding Chef! We met prior and she customized the menu based on our conversations. Scale of 1-10, we’d give her a 12! She was even willing to share her recipes. It’s clear she loves what she does and it’s even more clear that she’s a rock star at it! It’s also worth noting that not only was Dirk a great captain, but he also whipped up some amazing cocktails for us (we are still craving them stateside). Additionally, he was one heck of a lobster hunter and experienced Dive master.

Did you enjoy the itinerary and the area you sailed?
Winds were light so we didn’t get to go under sail much, but moreover, we were extremely happy to have the calmer waters. It was a great balance of water activities and relaxing. We loved all our destinations and candidly wish we were there now!

We celebrated a week with family and friends in a charter over New Year´s. It will be a time we will never forget. Our experience aboard Le Rêve was awesome.. Captain Dirk and Chef Katy (who filled in for Chef Sandy since she was filming her cooking show in New York) were fantastic they took us to save a rock for New Year´s Eve, foil boarding, cave exploring, epic snorkeling, serene sales on the blue water side of Cooper, Norman and five star meals we can go on… Thank you for everything! - The Kirkuk and Piceu Families

We came aboard one week ago not knowing what to expect of being on a boat for an entire week. We saw all the great places in the BVI, had a fabulous dinner is on board and drink the best wines! Thank you for a great week all the best for 2023 Annemarie Daan Roger and Wouter

Thank you for an incredible voyage. You all are impeccable hosts. Sandy, your food is restaurant worthy. Same goes for Dirk’s drinks. The yacht is beautiful and we will definitely be recommending to all our friends. Joel and Rachel

Dirk and Sandy, fue en placer concerlos, realmente hemos tenido un tiempo fantástico, no solo por lo fantástico del bote y el viaje, si no por lo simpáticos, amables y agradable de sus servicios y compañía.

Espero volverlos a ver y continuar compartiendo aventuras. Los llevare siempre en mis bellos recuerdos.

Maria Antoineta y Andre

Five days on a cruise with my son and grandchildren and with the refreshing assistance of Sandy and Dirk I became as relaxed as a baby at sleep. Refreshed, I am ready for a new day. With civilization all around us, it was rechargeable to feel like we were in a different world on the water. My body thinks you, my mind thinks you, my heart thinks you and my soul thank you Michael

It’s 6pm and we are all looking around for our Sandy-appetizers & Dirk-cocktails!!
What an amazing trip last week was for our family. We so appreciate you both taking such great care of us & making everything the “easy button” for my bday vacation!
You two were amazing in your level of service and attentiveness to our every need; it was truly the most relaxing vacation we’ve ever had.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful week!

Dear Captain Dr. Dirk and Captain Chef Mermaid Sandy -

We hope these words express our sincerest gratitude for an amazing trip of a lifetime! Le Rêve is a beautiful vessel in all ways, but the driving spirit and soul comes from your incredible hospitality, warmth, humor, attention to detail, flexibility and for that we all consider ourselves very fortunate to have discovered you both and Lereve! Return return the painkillers/lobster everything/ exquisite mahi dinners, thoughtful delicious breakfast, devilish desserts, Sandy - you are so talented. We await your cookbook! We look forward to our next voyage, may we all be blessed with that future! Best of luck on our New England waters and please visit us in Martha´s Vineyard! Thank you so much for the restorative swims as well. Big hugs from us all Michael and Patty

Captain Dirk and Chef Sandy -

Where to begin? The moment we set sail we knew it was going to be an experience of a lifetime! The ocean and island views were just breathtaking! The hues of the ocean water will be forever embedded in our minds.

Anthony´s SCUBA expeditions were the best he has ever experienced. Our favorite stops... Ann at Tipsy´s, the Soggy Dollar experience, Hendo´s for some delicious cocktails, Saba Rock ´cool bar´ with tarpon feeding and of course Strawberry at Sidney´s. the best lobster we´ve ever had!

And of course, the food, the food, the food! and wine! :-) Sandy, your love for cooking and serving others was evident in every bite. We savored each meal ad look so forward to your cookbook one day!

We thank you for an incredible week!

Fondly, Carla and Anthony, Bob and Denise, Julie and John

Dear Dirk and Sandy -

Thank you so much for another fabulous vacation!

The food, the dive spots, the fish tank, the new Le Rêve made for our own Heaven on Earth! We had a FANTASTIC time yet again! Can´t wait til next year, Leeward Islands, here we come! Xoxo Jerry, Lisa, Juno, Sophie, Sammy Grace, Emma

Thank you Dirk and Sandy for sharing your beautiful home with us! Our trip was beyond words. The Le Rêve is an incredible vessel and your hospitality made our experience memorable with amazing meals, excursions and your attention to every detail. You both anticipated our every need!

Kelly and Denise

Sandy and Dirk
Thank you for the new experiences, remote getaways, deep dives and Cat 5s. We will always be grateful for sharing your home on the sea with us.

The Brennans

We thank you for a week of spectacular fun and adventure! From Sipping Sunday to Sad Face Saturday we enjoyed sensational sunrises and sunsets with rainbows every day!

We loved swimming, snorkeling, seeing the turtles, skiing in the blue Caribbean waters, sailing, cigar smoking, star gazing and SCUBA diving for spiny lobsters! The food was beyond delicious with the additions of fresh caught mackerel and tacos at Lime Out.

You mixed the best cocktails and we loved hearing Dirk say “Does anyone need a beverage?”

Our extreme thanks to Captain Dirk and Captain Honey (hook and cook Sandy) CHEERS!

Ken, Sandy, Steven, Deb, Debbie and Mitch

Dear “Mom and Dad” (aka Sandy and Dirk)

Camp Le Rêve was so much fun!! The food was amazing, and the beverages weren’t too shabby either! We’ve enjoyed the daily field trips snorkeling, partying at the Soggy Dollar Bar, using the paddle board for our table. We are sure all the other kids were jealous!

We hope you will allow us to come back - until then, keep living’ the dream

With love and gratitude - Bob, Denise, Stacy, George, Kevin and Laurel

Captains Dirk and Sandy -

We’ve had a marvelous sail and getaway in the USVI. Your thoughtfulness and attention to every detail were just what I remembered from New England and you on my radar for the Caribbean trip I really wanted to share and introduce the experience to Tucker and Morgan. It was an added bonus to close the circle by having Laurel and Philippe here and of course, Bill was with us, too!

Le Rêve is remarkable in her comfort and performance - clearly you are proud, but worthy owners and stewards of the ship. Special thanks for celebrating my birthday on the 1st night - it was a great start.

You may not realize, but the trip was especially relaxing because we escaped the daily nagging of Covid in the background of our lives back home. Wishing you much success and happiness on all of your future cruises. Greg

Thanks for the cruise, we came back to be hosted by Sandy and Dirk like our last trip on Catatonic years ago. The discovery of the USVI was worth the travel as we enjoyed snorkeling in cool water to see so many fish with nice colors. The question now is where we will come back… Best wishes. Philippe

So wonderful to be back with our favorite crew Captain Dirk and Magic Chef Mate Sandy. It seems hard to imagine a more exciting trip than our 2018 NE Venture, but Le Rêve is just that - so beautifully appointed and wonderfully spacious.

From gourmet meals, painkiller cocktails to turtle watching, snorkeling and paddle boarding, truly magical.

We will definitely be back again, so happy and safe sailing until then!

Xoxo, Laurel, with fond memories from Bill

Sandy and Dirk, this has been such an incredible week aboard Le Rêve. Getting to know you both and experience your brand of hospitality has been a real treat and the level of service, food and cocktails exceeded my highest expectations.

While I was not on the first family cruise, I can picture how pleased Bill was with you both and the trip and that brings me joy.

Memories from this trip will include but not be limited to learning to snorkel, loving it, swimming with turtles, enjoying painkillers and sunset, paddle boarding with Laurel and attracting tarpon with flashlights and simply lounging all over the boat in truly perfect weather.

I generally find it hard to relax and unplug from my job at this point in life but this trip did it (whole next level) largely due to you both ensuring everything was handled and no one needed to worry. Hoping our paths cross again aboard Le Rêve or otherwise. Best, Turner

Dirk and Sandy -

Can’t think of a more perfect way to start 2022, although it’s likely to be downhill from here. Le Rêve is a beautiful boat but all the more special with you two as our host. You made it feel so comfortable yet also a pampered experience. Loved every minute and hope we can return soon. Here’s to smooth sailing ahead! Cheers! Pam

We are writing this at anchor off Cooper Island in the setting sun with a painkiller in (each) hand, and we’ve never been happier!

The perfect end to the perfect day and the perfect week! You have been the greatest hosts for our family BVI adventure and we can’t thank you enough from the brilliant itinerary to expert local knowledge, phenomenal food, amazing cocktails we have been truly spoiled! It has been a treat to share Le Rêve with you - she truly is a dream. We can’t wait to host you in Devon sometime soon!

Rosemary, Mark, Olivia and James

Dear Sandy and Dirk -

Thank you for an incredible week in the USVI! It was the first time for us and it did not disappoint in the least!

The boat is impeccable and Sandy’s food incredible and Dirk was always there to meet our every need whether it be rides to the beach or keeping our glasses full.

We all really needed the time to rest and relax and be together as a family. It drew us closer and we had so many laughs!

Thanks again from the bottom of our hearts.


Cammy, Marc, Karen, Jed, Lund and Owen

Dirk and Sandy -

Thank you for reading our story and requests and follow up with a week-long super relaxed trip! Le Rêve is a fabulous cat that you keep impeccable and has everything and more than you can expect.

The itinerary was perfect around the USVI. The SCUBA diving was superb. We got to see lots of species but swimming with the turtles, rays, sharks and catching the huge lobster was special!

Last but not least, Sandy’s cooking comes with taste, creativity, and variety to make us happy every day!

Great Christmas for the Bocco family from Caracas.

Miguel, Maria, Dani and Mickey

Dear Captain Dirk and Captain Sandy -

Words cannot adequately express the amazing BVI trip that we had aboard your beautiful Le Rêve. We had been told that this would be a “trip of a lifetime” and it exceeded our expectations in every possible way. The 62 foot luxury catamaran Le Rêve was a 5 star resort at sea. The huge master suite and bath combined with the most comfortable bed made sleeping in a treat. Sandy is an excellent Chef and every meal and dessert were made to perfection.

The BVI is paradise and seeing it by sea on Le Rêve is clearly another level. Dirk and Sandy are owner/operators and their attention to detail made the guest experience great. Having a very experienced Captain like Dirk (leading BFI charters since the early 1990s) an award winning catamaran, a world class Chef combined with some of the world’s most beautiful islands made this trip an unforgettable memory.

Both Dirk and Sandy have the gift of hospitality and they have a sincere desire to make every trip the trip of a lifetime. They are our new friends. We will be back.

Very grateful and blessed, Mark and Jeannie

Dear Dirk and Sandy -

It was so great of you to have us, thank you for the hospitality, for being so friendly, accommodating and generous, you went above and beyond and we are touched and grateful!

Your food is truly delicious and unforgettable, your home, Le Rêve is quite amazing, and most of all we truly enjoyed your company!

It was an absolutely incredible experience for us! Thank you!!

Boris and Nara

Oops! I should mention the yummy banana bread. Best in the world!

What a special experience for my first sail and celebration our friend’s 50th birthday. The voyages were spectacular, the food OUTSTANDING, and ports of call fun to explore. Your hospitality was out of this world and can’t wait to do it again in the USVI. Thank you for keeping the wind in our sails and our cocktails spirit forward! - Kristina

Thanks so much for a fantastic trip around New England. We had a great time visiting all of the spots and especially loved meeting Sheila and Stanley the seals! Your hospitality was so welcoming and made for a really enjoyable experience and 50th birthday celebration. Until next time! Safe travels on the friendly seas - Tiffany

Thank you so much for your amazing hospitality and YUMMY meals. This was a trip of a lifetime and I am blessed to have shared it with old friends and new friends. I love being on the water and sailing and enjoyed the wind in my hair and sun on my shoulders. I look forward to doing the again with you in the BVI with my family! I will actually get in the water there! I’m a TX gal when it comes to being cold! Best wishes as you start your new chapter with Le Rêve! It will be amazing! - Angela

Thank you so much for sharing your home with us. You are amazing! The food, drinks, and company were awesome! Can’t wait to see you again on Le Rêve - Jen

What a journey for a short week. Thank you for sharing your home with us and letting us sample your life at sea. You have taken good care of us and gave us such great memories and maybe even a bit of confidence to one day join this life. It has been very special! Thank you! - Hook, Oggie, Iva, Leon, Kalin and Grandma

This has been a tremendous holiday experience filled with new adventure for me - sailing. You provided a friendly and confident environment to immerse myself in the lifestyle. Love the fishing, the beaches, the snorkeling, the cabin, the joy, and on top of the natural beauty and activities, was the memorable meals each day. Wow! Sandy you are a great chef. Thank you!

Excellence on the water, what a fantastic experience. Dining was great and such a welcoming environment that you’ve created. All was greatly appreciated and equally needed. Thank you! - Gale and Dale

Thank you for another fabulous week in the Abacos. What a blessing it was to see this slice of paradise. The food, the hospitality, the sailing, and the stories were beyond our expectations. Hope to see you all again soon! - Valerie, Gail, Dixie and Paula

It was a long time coming thanks to Covid, but we made it at last. We came as strangers and left as friends. Thank you for opening your home to us and showing us such wonderful hospitality. The time spent with you far exceeded our expectations, and that was because of the two of you. Your fabulous meals, Dirk’s amazing bartender skills, and everything that the water has to offer. Truly and unforgettable experience. We look forward to chapter two. Until next time. - Mike and Melaney

Thank you so much for sharing your home and experiences with us. The moment we came on board we were made to feel welcome. From the beautiful bays to our fabulous meals you both exceeded our expectations. See you in Tierra Verde! Joe and Karen

It took nearly a year and a half for us to make this trip work, but it just goes to prove yet again that the best things in life come to those willing to wait. We made plans for this trip with some trepidation for the unknown and uncertainty whether this type of trip would work with 4 kids, but we leave with so many priceless memories and experiences that I feel extreme gratitude for you being here to provide us with this opportunity. Thank you for creating such a precious getaway and providing a fun and SAFE environment for us all to spend time together. We hope to see you both again sailing on a new adventure.

Thank you for an unforgettable adventure. All six of us had a wonderful week filled with sun, sand, waves, sea creatures, and delicious food! It’s rare with four kids to find a truly relaxing vacation, but you made it happen for us and I am truly grateful. - Niki, Todd and family

Thank you for the amazing adventure! Loved snorkeling at Caneel Bay and by Water Lemon Cay. Dirk, thanks for putting the water sports together for us to enjoy. Sandy thanks for each and every meal. Can’t wait to savor all these incredible memories.

Thanks for for making this trip AMAZING!! Sandy, your food was out of the park and we enjoyed every dish that you made. Dirk, you showed us the best of the best places that made our first dive experiences something to remember. You guys are the kindest people with the ability to to make everyone feel at home and safe. Thank you so much for letting us stay 7 days aboard your beautiful home. Until next time! - Emma, Sophie, Grace and Gaby

After a very tough year, spending a week with you has brought much joy and happiness. Every day was a fantastic adventure. We are going home with many cherished memories! I hope this is not the only time to be writing in this book! - Lisa

I expected a great trip, but it was made all the better through our Amherst connection and because of your professionalism, expertise, and kindness. You both made the trip so wonderful. You both are also so interesting and have had such great experiences. We look forward to traveling with you again! - Jerry

What an amazing experience! We have been looking forward to this trip for over a year and it did not disappoint. The food and drinks were fabulous, the diving and snorkeling beautiful and the hospitality TOP NOTCH! Dirk and Sandy spoiled us and made us feel like friends…not just like you were doing a job. We’re ruined for all other vacations for the rest of our lives. Thanks again for the best trip ever! - Zach and Mara, Jon and Shawna

P.S. Thanks for all of the exciting Zactivities and keeping the Zaccidents to a minimum!

Thank you Dirk and Sandy for your hospitality and sharing your beautiful home with us! From shore to sea we had an amazing time. Your attention to detail did not go unnoticed. The meals Sandy made surpassed our expectations! Absolutely delicious! This has been a trip of a lifetime with many memories made. Thanks for shutting Club Catatonic down each night! ;-) Dirk’s daycare was much appreciated for the boys! Until next time! - Amy, Josh, Amy, Joe, Ashlee and Sean

Thank you, Dirk and Sandy for a most memorable 25th Anniversary Adventure in the USVI. The beauty of the islands, the hospitality aboard, and your sensitivity to creating a personal experience combined to ensure our getaway unmatched by any other! We look forward to returning with family and friends soon! - Linna and John

My 50th Birthday trip! We are 25 year visitors to the USVI and BVI. After years of talking about a crewed charter, we finally did it. It was a great week. The food was great and the crew was fantastic! We loved the on-board aquarium and watching the critters all week. It was a magical week. We are already planning another trip. - The Rxxe Family

We are still on a high from our trip on the Catatonic. I have to say for me it was one of the best vacations and definitely the most exciting birthday weeks of my life.(50 years-The big one)
All of us cannot thank you enough for your hospitality, patience and friendship towards all of us. They were like family to us. They are an excellent crew together and I hope to see them again on the Catatonic.
I would rate this trip a 10.

Crew rate a 10
Boat- Loved the layout and the size. The beds, seating area and stereo were great. I look forward to another trip on the Catatonic. ~Richard and Annette and Guest

Sandy and Dirk - I think the best way to sum up this trip is PERFECTION. This trip has been AMAZING! The food, service, hospitality, accommodations have been 5 Star all the way. This has been a trip of a lifetime! We really enjoyed all the beautiful scenery. The conditions were just perfect for us. We felt so safe and confident the entire trip. We were talking this morning and we have decided that we cannot pick one perfect day or beach because every day and every place was perfect! Thank you both so much for helping us make a memory of a lifetime.

Blessings and Love - Paula, Valerie, Dixie and Gail

Dirk and Sandy - What an amazing adventure we have had! Thank you for hosting us to an exciting, relaxing, and memorable catamaran experience. You exceeded our expectations! You two make a wonderful team! Sandy, your cooking was fantastic! Thank you for meeting all of our requests. You went above and beyond! Dirk, you always guided us in the right direction for great dives, fun snorkeling and beautiful surroundings. You were both so flexible and accommodating to our high-energy, adventurous group. Thank you for putting us all at ease as guests of the Catatonic 500. You blessed us in every way. Ann and Dane, Bill and Betsy, Richard and Leslie

Dirk and Sandy -
Wow! Where to begin... How about Best In Class for both sailing and service? Boating and sailing in high winds and ´sporty´ conditions was no problem. Snorkeling and Diving, floating spots, all amazing. Now to Sandy´s cooking... Everyone tried something they´d never had before and LOVED it! From breakfast through dinner, including desserts, all fabulous! Could not have had a better birthday cruise! Until we meet again!
- Carrie, David, Steve, Emma, Scott and Tomi

Dirk and Sandy - Thank you for hosting us this week. We came from all over the country to spend New Year´s together.
We appreciate your hospitality; the food was wonderful and we loved being so well taken care of.
Our favorites were diving, fishing, sunning, exploring the beautiful island spots and spending time with new friends.
We will be dreaming of our week and look forward to planning our next.
Happy New Year! - Jodi, Chris, Mike, Kim, Layne and Gina

Thank you Dirk and Sandy for a wonderful week back aboard Catatonic on our second charter with you. It has been an amazing trip and a fabulous way to spend Christmas 2019! You have both been great hosts all around. The food has been wonderful, the diving beautiful, fun evening stops and great sailing, too.

Thanks for making our trip special and for opening your home to us. We have memories that we will take home and cherish. Dianne, Terry and Michaei

Dirk and Sandy, I am not sure we have words to express how amazing this trip was. We have forever been spoiled since this was our first time sailing for a week.
Your kindness, patience and generosity have been outstanding. Turning 50 with our dear friends has been an experience I will never forget (and thank you for the birthday cheesecake!!!). We will cherish our memories aboard Catatonic and our two new special friends.
Thank you for everything - a PERFECT trip! - Shawn and Kathie

Dirk and Sandy, what an amazing and truly special time! The food, the diving, fishing and sailing were incredible, but both of you are the cherry on top. It’s always a joy when kindred spirits meet. Can’t wait to visit you and Catatonic again! - Teddi and Scott

Dirk and Sandy, thank you for a truly amazing week! Everything was absolutely wonderful! Diving with Dirk was a highlight ,as I never thought I would do something like that. Your patience and calm demeanor made it so easy. Knowing there was a cocktail at the end didn’t hurt either! Sandy, you are an amazing hostess! Seeing my tuna become our sushi lunch is a memory I will cherish! — Jill

So where do I begin?
We started in Newport first loading our gear and then having lunch ashore. We departed from the fuel dock at the Newport yachting center as perotti’s were not accommodating despite dirk having cleared it with them the night before!
Our itinerary week 1 was block island to cuttyhunk to menemsha to Hadley’s harbor to Nantucket and then MV. Weather was perfect except for a lack of wind! Lots of swimming, paddle boarding, card games. Fun cocktails, meals as requested - lite, healthy and delicious.
We were able to bring my dad’s scooter which allowed us some mobility for meals ashore. Several days my dad requested to stay put instead of eating ashore as he tires out. sandy and Dirk graciously accommodated. They are both welcoming and generous people. My dad tried to reciprocate by splicing a few worn lines! It felt like we had known them for a long time. We shared travel logs, pictures and videos. Dirk was forever offering activities and Sandy would participate in all the evening card games with the girls! Very sensitive to our needs and anticipating desires!
Dirk is a knowledgeable and skillful captain... my dad (also a captain ) always attentive to these matters spent wonderful hours together with him at the helm. Dirk was always up for adventure and exploration whereas other skippers we’ve have always seem to take the easy route where less effort was required! (Philippe now wants a drone!)
Week 1 was very family like, we ate lunch and dinners aboard together.
Week 2 we exchanged our 2 girls for another couple and added another family member, and we enjoyed cocktails and long boating hours together.
Week 2 we went to Provincetown and literally went whale hunting and paddled with the harbor seals! We stopped in wellsfleet to see the French semifinals. Stopped in pocasset For incredible lobster salad and an exciting navigation thru the narrows and shoal! Back to Hadley’s for the night. Then to Nantucket (again! My cousins hadn’t visited yet) for more good food at the Pearl and Dune. Last night in cuttyhunk before Newport! Lunched on board in Breton’s cove next to my dad’s mooring. We offloaded again at the NYC which was perfect!
The trip was everything we were looking for and more!
Thanks for arranging it for us! They are to be highly recommended!

Best regards,
Laurel

Thank you for an amazing week! You have been such great hosts. We love your boat and the meals have been so delicious! It was awesome to dive from the boat and fishing was so much fun! If you ar win Texas, look us up! :-)

Thank you for a fabulous week. It has been a wonderful rest full of adventure. The wreck of the Rhone was certainly a highlight. We love your yacht. The whole experience was fantastic - the food was exceptional, the diving and boating demonstrated the highest levels of safety and professionalism.

Dirk and Sandy - we can´t thank you enough for a fabulous vacation. We enjoyed our time on your beautiful catamaran and loved getting to know you both. The food was amazing and so were all of the beautiful destinations you took us to!

Dirk and Sandy, We are so very thankful for all you have done this week for us! It has truly been an amazing week. We feel especially blessed to have had you both as our hosts. Everything from the water fun to the food has been spectacular. Thank you for sharing your beautiful catamaran with us. We hope to see you again in the next few years with our family! Wishing you safe travels until we meet again!

Thank you for giving us a beautiful week in paradise! We fit so much in during what felt like a way too short of a stay. We had fun, sun, and laughs that will last us only until the next time we can come back and visit again. Wishing you lots of success and joy until we meet again.

You two are special people to make useful so welcome your home - plus to best professional and notice everything while playing hard with us too. The best hit of the diving was feeding the lion fish to the shark. We will be coming back!

Sometimes you hear you can never recreate a great trip, but you both helped us find an even better experience than our 2016 trip. So glad we could help support the efforts to rebuild the area after Irma. All our best to you both, Cat 500, and Kittytonic! Ahoy!

Thank you for a wonderful first trip to paradise! So many fun things to see and do! It was great having the insider´s scoop on the different excursions. Dirk, the dives were amazing and the sailing was masterful! Thank you for showing the ropes on fishing and sailing. Sandy, thank you for fantastic food and for being hostess, chef, and first mate! You are a great pair! Keep sailing!

You made our vacation truly a wonderful experience. You kept our 13, 13, and 11 year old boys totally engaged and off their devices as much as possible. You have been unconditionally hospitable and tirelessly accommodating. The food was amazing! ´Some of the best food I´ve ever had´ says the 11 year old! Endless, wonderful activities, SCUBA, tubing, fishing, paddle boarding, rum drinking....thank you for a wonderful adventure, we´ll be back!

What a way to celebrate turning 40! Such an experience with the gourmet meals, drinks in hand, stories, relaxation and overall 5 star hospitality on board.

We appreciate you guys introducing us to so many things: snorkeling, fishing, SNUBA, paddle boarding and touring all of the beautiful islands with the fun beach bars! BVI has not disappointed!

All of these things have helped us grow our relationships as couples, friends and will leave us with memories we can talk about for years to come.

Thanks for an amazing week, showing us the best of the best of the BVI. We loved the diving, especially the wrecks, and all the delicious food. Thanks Dirk for your patience in working with John on the kiteboarding - what a special treat for him! A fabulous way for us to celebrate the big 5-0 and share time together as a family. Thanks for making it so special!

The Leeward Islands were amazing, amazing yachts at St. Barts, secluded beaches on Anguilla, great dining at Grand Case, and Saba was amazing for SCUBA. The food was spectacular especially fresh catch of the day...twice! Second time back and already planning our next trip.

Dreams do come true!! Best trip ever...Virgin Gorda had to be our favorite bit of paradise. Food was spectacular. Came as guests, left as friends! We will be back!

We had an awesome time aboard Catatonic 500 with Sandy and Dirk sailing the Leeward Islands of St Maarten, St Barth´s and Anguilla for 10 days. There were 6 of us, my wife and I, our two teenage daughters , and two of their friends. This was the 3rd time we chartered with Catatonic (Twice in the BVI) We would charter with them whenever possible! All our trips from Food/drinks, Locations they recommend, excursions/activities have always been beyond our expectations. Sandy and Dirk have an endless amount of energy and were always ready to entertain the girls, and us, whether it was tubing, a trip to the beach, taking a walk through towns, fishing etc. Our first sailing trip was on Catatonic, it was so much better than being at a luxury resort (where you are stuck on the same beach every day, same lounger etc.) that now we only Sail ! We highly recommend taking a trip on Catatonic, it changed our views on what a real vacation should be!

We are so grateful - we had an amazing time and we are thankful for all you have done to make our trip extraordinary. Cheers to your upcoming St Maarten trip and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We want to thank you both so much for a spectacular vacation! What you both have given us is the memory of a lifetime! Both you and Dirk are masters in what you love to do. Sandy, your love for cooking shows in the many wonderful dishes you prepared for us! Dirk, your knowledge in running Catatonic 500 made us feel safe at all times. We loved your toys and the activities on board made us feel alive! Thank you for introducing us to your local friends who keep the Virgin Islands what they are. Thank you for helping us check just one more thing off our bucket list. - Donna and Randy

Sandy and Dirk -
Thanks for an amazing experience in the Virgin Islands! We couldn´t even wear you out! Skiing past the Willy T, wakeboarding, fishing, diving, paddle boarding, and ´bean bagging.´ Too much fun with so many toys to play with! Thank you for everything, we are already planning to come back to visit our newest friends, Sandy and Dirk. - Stacy, Lucas, Grace and Luke

Absolute best vacation ever! Not sure how we will ever top it! The crew were the perfect match for our group! Captain really knows everything that there is to know about sailing and the BVI´s! They could not have been more accommodating.

We took tons of pictures and had tons of fun. We can´t thank you enough for your suggestions and help along the way. It truly was the best way to spend the week and experience all that the BVI´s have to offer. From Willie T´s, to Soggy Dollar and all the drinks, bars, fun and games in between, WE LOVED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT!! Thanks for the ‪‎best vacation ever‬!!´

August 26 13

We enjoyed being on the boat, going to the different spots, letting me sail a bit (absolutely loved that return from Anegada to Marina Cay), and generally taking our foot off the brake for a while as we had fun down there with you all. You showed us so much from the busier anchorages in Jost Van Dyke to the more remote spots like Brewer´s Bay, it really checked all the boxes. Like I said, it was a wonderful feeling mid-week to wake up and not know what day it was.

Being on a charter boat as crew is a tough job, but you both completely exceeded our expectations. I can´t say enough about that. We had great laughs, but with your calm confidence and how you both professionally executed the job and made it look effortless, you both enabled us to have a spectacular week aboard Catatonic and leave with grins & memories for a lifetime!

Additionally, I really appreciate the recommendations for our post-charter time on St. John. Morgan´s Mango was terrific and we just loved the different flavors of the different dishes there. We rented a car, drove the island, and spent a little time on some of the North shore beaches. And yes, a Skinny Legs burger was consumed!!

Our family can´t thank you enough for recommending the Catatonic for our vacation. We had the most incredible time, each day was a great adventure that I really can´t describe appropriately. Each snorkel spot was a little different than the last. We docked in cool spots with exactly the sort of the things we like to do. Snorkeling with huge Tarpon, bouldering and jumping off big rocks or big boats, colorful fish and coral, hiking and playing on pristine beaches, etc.

I can´t say enough great things about Captain Robert.. Robert´s knowledge of the islands from a historical standpoint as well as knowing where the fun stuff was amazing. He just knew what we would love and gave us a bunch of it. We did so much it´s hard to write it all here however some highlights besides the great snorkel spots was taking a great cab ride for dinner from Levington Bay to Hog Heaven which ranked as my favorite spot.

This was topped the next day of course when we rolled into Cane Garden Bay and had a great sunset, happy hour and night listening to exactly the type of music from a one-man band which, ironically, is much like my favorite guy near my beach house which I had
described to Robert. Captain went beyond any expectations we had for our trip, I have already spoken to several of my friends to refer them to the Catatonic for their own family vacations.

The chef´s meals and everything she brought to the table was amazing and she fit right in with the family. She was always figuring out what would make each day a great experience with local flavor. Our preference sheet was far exceeded with great meals every day and night.

The tough thing going forward from here will be, ´How do we top this vacation?´ Truly nothing will compare thanks to the great boat and crew. They made us feel so comfortable and right at home from the moment we stepped on the boat until we stepped back off. It was great to make 2 new friends while vacationing with the family.

Dirk and Sandy -
Can’t tell you enough how much we enjoyed the trip. From the sailing lessons to all of the wonderful spots you took us, it’s been the trip of a lifetime. We are already trying to figure out when we can return. Catatonic is an awesome sailboat with an even awesomer owners/crew :-).

Good luck to you two sailing on!
Brad and Nyssa

When we arrived it was apparent that we all were in need of a vacation, however what we got was so much more. Over the last week we received a plethora of memories, 5-star meals and incredible scuba dives. From lobster to turtles to Natalie´s lobster tan, the islands have offered us wonders of nature and in return we hope to bring help in any way we can in order to rebuild this beautiful place. We are truly thankful for this adventure.

Natalie, Juliette, Christine, and Gene

Thank you so much for an incredible trip, very sad to leave! The girls first sailing experience was one the will never forget. Looking forward to booking another trip with you VERY SOON!! The water is colder than yesterday:)

Thank you for everything,
Matt, Taylor, Katie, and Libby

Trip of my dreams came true! So happy the Lord brought me to you and Cat 500! And what a surprise to have my mom at my side too. That piece is the best! Nevertheless, the trip would not have been this comfortable and fun without you, Sandy and Dirk, and the rest of the boat family you brought. Thanks for helping me find such wonderful people to come along! Dirk - thanks for answering my numerous questions about boats and boat language. Sandy - as everyone said your cooking - superb! Also, you opened up your home and allowed us to make it ours too! Thank you!

Dirk and Sandy,
Thank you so much for an amazing 9 days on your beautiful Catatonic 500! The hospitality that you show us every time we get together makes us feel so like family!
Bananas Foster, Key Lime Pie, Ice Cream of many flavors - so amazing!! Swimming pigs, dolphins off the bow and friendly sting rays- how cool!! Karaoke, friendly card games, and charades - what memories are made of!! Kite boarding, water skiing, and snorkeling a reef - pure island dreams!! GTC poker run - how fun!
Jeff and I will always treasure our times spent with you both!! Cannot wait to spend more time in the islands we all love so much. In the immortal words of KC - ´Life is a lime, and from time to time I got to get my fix, yeah. We roll with the flow, friends come and go, usually by the edge of the dock!´
Until our next adventure together!! You guys will always have a place to stay in Texax. Thanks again for a wonderful introduction to the Bahamas!

See you at the next dock,
Jeff and Shawna

Christmas on a sailboat in the Bahamas with blue seas and palm trees. A most memorable vacation for us and our 4 children. Thanks to Sandy and Dirk for your hospitality, great food, tender rides to shore, and anything else we needed! Sailing offered a completely different way to experience a vacation. We are completely relaxed! Can´t think of a better way to end 2017 and begin a new year. We enjoyed game nights - every time we watch American Idol, we will think of you!

Best wishes,
Janet, Paul, Andrew, Katie, Ashley, and Alex

Dear Dirk and Sandy, thank you hardly express our gratitude for your opening your home to our group to enjoy a trip of a lifetime! Some of our favorite memories include the lobster Lasso, our lobster cowboy, the pain killers and all the various captains concoctions, snorkeling with the sea turtles, the party with Cardi B until we got kicked out :-) the glowing Tarpon eyes, reeling in the Blockfin tuna while rolling with the waves and riding the float boat to the lily pad for taco Tuesday! All of the meals executed by 5 star Sandy were incredible! We´ll probably all started when we get back to Kentucky! :-) From the bluegrass state to it´s Crystal blue waters who lives like we do? We do! Thanks for everything! See you again! Abby, Shane, Jessica, Jeff, Mike, Layne