About 30 years ago, an avid sailor who finally retired built a long-dreamed-of custom sailing superyacht at Royal Huisman. The resulting project, Surama, was a global cruising ketch which put tens of thousands of nautical miles in her wake. Through several subsequent owners, including one who christened her William Tai, the yacht Surama remained active and well kept. A buyer has the opportunity to continue taking her around the world, due to an auction next month.
Currently in Turkey, the 134-footer (41-meter) saw delivery in 1997. From her profile to her interior, she remains as classic-looking today as she did back then. Styling is from the legendary Ted Fontaine, while naval architecture is from yet another legendary figure, the late Ted Hood. She came to fruition with some non-negotiables, especially on-deck and interior spaces suiting her elderly owner’s safety. Handrails in strategic places were just some of the solutions—and they are still as elegant as the rest of the custom woodwork that sprang from the drawing boards of Andrew Winch.
Through the years, the various owners of the yacht Surama may have changed her name, but they and their crews maintained and upgraded her. In fact, the yacht underwent a thorough refit at Royal Huisman in 2017. Additionally, extensive winter maintenance periods occurred in both 2018 and 2019. according to Boathouse Auctions, which is auctioning her, some systems have undergone rebuild or replacement.
Whether her new owners will be purely cruisers or occasionally race in friendly competitions, the yacht Surama has a few compelling features. Particularly notable, she has a lifting keel that lets her access shallower waters than other sailing yachts. When the keel is up, draft is just a little more than nine feet (2.9 meters). While under sail, meanwhile, the aft cockpit is perfect for enjoying the breeze and the sights. The cockpit also suits lunches and dinners at anchor, though interestingly, the table can lower to turn the seating into a sunpad. Swimmers will appreciate how the center of the transom folds down, too, revealing built-in steps and a swim ladder.
Eight people have three staterooms inside, all off a central lobby. The owners of the yacht Surama have a split-level stateroom aft, with the bath on the lower level. Conveniently, the stateroom provides access to a private cockpit. Families that like to gather together will appreciate the bright, crisp interior, especially the skylights spilling sunlight into the informal dining area. The cozy saloon nearby, a few steps down from the deckhouse lounge, is where everyone can watch movies.
The auction is from May 7 to 12. Bids open at €1 million (about $1.17 million at press time). In her most recent brokerage listing, the asking price was €4.95 million ($5.8 million).
Boathouse Auctions boathouseauctions.com
More About the Yacht Surama
LOA: 133’6” (40.7 meters)
Beam: 28’10” (8.8 meters)
Draft: 9’6” to 22’3” (2.9 to 6.8 meters)
Guests: 8 in 3 staterooms
Rig: ketch
Upwind sail area: not available
Builder: Royal Huisman
Stylist: Ted Fontaine
Naval Architect: Ted Hood
Interior Designer: Winch Design
