Inside the futuristic 36m SpaceCat featured in season 3 of The White Lotus

Season three of acclaimed series and sharp social satire The White Lotus has returned to our screens with all the usual whodunnit theatrics of the drama which follows guests and hotel staff at luxurious resorts. As a sneak peek trailer of season 3, episode 4 airs, BOAT brings you five things you might not know about the yacht set to feature in the programme... 

Delivered in 2022 by SilverYachts, SpaceCat is the eponymous 36-metre first hull from the Australian yard's 35.5-metre SpaceCat series and the yacht is currently listed for sale under a joint central agency with IYC and Burgess, asking $18,800,000. Set on the island of Koh Samui, this series of The White Lotus is set in Thailand at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui and makes SpaceCat a natural choice for her TV series debut. 

In this episode, one of the characters (Chloe) welcomes several of the main vacationers on board boyfriend Gary/Greg's yacht, which happens to be the striking SpaceCat catamaran. Outside of the series, the yacht is for charter with Northrop & Johnson and benefits from a shallow draft which allows access to secluded islands, namely around Thailand's limestone cliffs and shallow bays of Phang Nga Bay near Phuket.

1. The designer initially called the yacht a "bold undertaking"

SilverYachts broke new ground with SpaceCat, marking the yard’s first venture into multihull design. The catamaran is the result of a collaboration between Australian shipyard SilverYachts and renowned designer Espen Øino who was responsible for the exterior and who previously described the catamaran as a "bold undertaking". In initial conversations with SilverYachts’ owner Guido Krass, Øino envisioned creating something entirely unconventional — a "floating villa" — challenging traditional superyacht design. 

2. The yacht's interior concept is inspired by "biophilia”

SpaceCat’s interior concept is inspired by biophilia – or "humans’ innate need to connect with nature, and modern escapism towards a safe enclosed space,” says Alessandro Pulina, founder of Pulina Exclusive Interiors. Nurturing a deep connection to the natural world through a minimalist interior design, open spaces are celebrated with a focus on the relationship between the indoor and outdoor environments. Thoughtful use of natural woods, along with large windows, glass surfaces and mirrors, enhance the sense of light and space. 

3. The Espen Øino exterior was inspired by houseboats

Drawing inspiration from houseboats commonly found in sheltered waters like Paris and Seattle, Øino and Krass envisioned a yacht that would prioritise spaciousness and comfort, much like a luxurious home on water. Recognising the limitations of monohulls, they opted for a multihull design, which would provide more deck space and allow for expansive living areas. As the concept evolved, Øino considered practical elements such as water treatment and the ability to relocate the vessel in an emergency, ultimately shaping the catamaran's design so that it blends the best aspects of a floating villa with the performance of a superyacht.

4. It sets a new standard in al fresco living with an aft deck pool

The charter yacht offers an abundance of outdoor spaces, including a covered sundeck and multiple shaded areas across the aft deck and foredeck, providing guests with endless options for lounging and dining in the sun or shade. The standout aft deck features a sleek 5.5-metre by 2.8-metre (10,000-litre) swimming pool nestled between the twin hulls, offering guests a space to unwind while surrounded by sun loungers and a stylish bar. The size of this water feature would be impossible to achieve on a similarly-sized monohull without greatly compromising living space.

5. The SpaceCat aims to achieve "ridiculously low" fuel consumption

The lightweight, all-aluminium build allows the SpaceCat to achieve "ridiculously low" fuel consumption, with a top speed of 20+ knots, thanks to its innovative design that reduces weight and beam. “This is something which is aligned with SilverYachts,” Øino said. “Being built in aluminium, being lightweight and with slender hulls, we're able to operate at speeds with very modest power.” The yacht’s low-resistance hulls contribute to its fuel efficiency, allowing it to operate at speeds of 20+ knots with modest power and reaching a range of 3,000 nautical miles at 11 knots.

BOAT stepped on board the 36-metre SpaceCat design in 2023. Read the full yacht report here: SpaceCat: Inside SilverYachts' true "villa on the water".