Television network Bravo will begin airing season three of Below Deck Down Under on 3 February, a Below Deck spin-off that follows a yacht crew over an eight-week charter season in Australia. Major changes have been announced for this instalment, including a relocation to the Seychelles in East Africa, the absence of chief stew Aesha Scott, a celebrity charter guest and the largest vessel in the franchise's history.
This year, Captain Jason Chambers will be at the helm of the 60-metre Katina, a charter yacht that's no stranger to the idyllic islands and electrifying waters of the Seychelles and Maldives. BOAT takes a look inside...
When was Katina built?
Katina was launched and delivered in 2015 from Croatian shipyard Brodosplit. Little details are known about her build, with construction beginning in summer 2013, but with naval architecture by Croatian designer Boris Zanko and interiors by designer Ali Gez, she has become instantly recognisable with her four elongated decks and powerful silhouette.
At 60 metres, she marks the largest Croatian-built yacht intended for year-round commercial charter, and has proven a popular charter yacht since her debut at the 2015 Monaco Yacht Show. She is also the largest yacht in Below Deck history, rivalled only by St. David, a 60-metre Benetti that featured in season 10 and 11 of the original Below Deck series.
What are her luxury features?
With large volumes and extensive deck space, Katina is home to a huge array of luxury amenities and features. A spa centre, gym with state-of-the-art equipment, sauna and massage room are to name but a few – and that's just her lower deck. Two bars, a sundeck Jacuzzi, outdoor cinema, and a clubhouse-style whiskey and cigar room with separate ventilation hit the note for the "something for everyone" saying.
And she really is for everyone. Katina can host up to 150 people when anchored, and with an impressive surround-sound system and light show, she is perfect for big celebrations and partying the night away. For daytime excursions, Katina is also an RYA-approved watersports centre and comes equipped with Zapata Racing Flyboards, WaveRunners and Jet Skis, as well as an inflatable playground with waterslide.
What about accommodation?
Up to 12 guests can be accommodated on board Katina, each one able to retreat to six spacious cabins all located on the upper deck. There are two king-sized master cabins with en suite bathrooms and a shared forward-facing balcony, and four en suite queen-sized VIP suites each with their very own private balconies too. Her interiors have been designed for indulgence and comfort, decorated with dark walnut and oak woods and soft neutral fabrics.
Katina can also accommodate a dedicated, highly-skilled crew of 15 on board – soon to be showcased by the Below Deck cameras.
What is Katina's performance like?
Equipped with twin 1,350hp Cummins diesel engines, she has a top speed of 14.5 knots and a cruising speed of 12 knots. As a frequent charterer in the Indian Ocean – apt for where the next edition of Below Deck Down Under is filmed – her 4,000 nautical mile range (at 10 knots) makes her the perfect island hopper.
Which were the previous Below Deck Down Under yachts?
With the third edition of the popular reality show soon to hit screens, Katina has a lot to live up to from her previous star predecessors. Season one of Below Deck Down Under went behind the scenes of "Thalassa" – or so she was named for the show – otherwise known as the 54-metre motor yacht Keri Lee III. Built by American shipyard Trinity Yachts in 2001, her amenities include a gym, Jacuzzi and six cabins to accommodate 12 guests.
The star of season two was the 50.8-metre motor yacht Northern Sun. Delivered in 1976 by Narasaki Shipbuilding, she was originally built as an ice-class research vessel, transformed into a superyacht in 2006 as the result of a two-year refit. Accommodating 12 guests in six cabins, she was perfectly suited to exploring the coasts of Cairns and Whitsunday Islands in the show.
Katina is listed for charter with TWW Yachts with a weekly charter rate starting from $245,000.
Read More/Inside the star yacht of Below Deck Down Under season two