Art Imitating Life or Life Imitating Art: Reality TV, or at least “reality” for some, the yachts of Bravo’s Successful TV Series, Below Deck.

With all the talk as well as seizing of Russian Oligarchs' superyachts, we are seeing them on our TV sets through the eyes of the Captain, crew, and passengers of the TV Show Below Deck. No, these are not owned by any Russian Oligarchs but are legally owned and run by others for private charters.

Let’s look a little closer at these vessels.

At its inception, the show introduced us to a 164-foot Benetti, with the now-famous Captain Lee at the helm. Cruising around the Caribbean, one of the top destinations for cruisers in general, whose name was changed to Honor for the show – whose real name is in reality, Barents - wowed viewers with her luxury and elegance. With six staterooms, a sun deck, a drinks bar, and a hot tub enjoyed multiple-night charters. Barents was designed by Stefano Natucci and has recently undergone a full refit adding a sleek interior design to the arsenal of water toys, gym, beach club, and indoor and outdoor cinemas. MY (Motor Yacht) Barents charters for just over $170,000 per week.

Ohana
While 154-foot superyacht Ohana appeared in Season 2 under her own name, she was renamed Star Diamond since her sale. Built by Admiral Marine Works in 1998, Star Diamond had a major refit in 2018 and oozes classic superyacht elegance with interior works by Donald Starkey Designs, as well as plenty of deck space. She also cruised around the Caribbean, mainly in the BVI. Ohana charters for around $160,000 per week.

Eros
Season 3 saw the 163-foot Eros make her TV debut as she cruised the waters of The Bahamas with Captain Lee on the bridge. At the time she was officially named Mustang Sally but has since been renamed Stay Salty. With space for 12 guests and 10 crew members, Stay Salty is currently not available for charter, which is a disappointment to those who dreamed of lounging in her outdoor hot tub or enjoying a meal with friends around the alfresco dining table. Designed by Geoff Van Aller, Stay Salty offers a classically elegant interior styling, with rich woods and neutral tones, as well as plenty of deck space…all of which needed meticulous cleaning by her crew in 2015.

Valor
Valor appeared in Season 4, 5, and 7 cruising around the US Virgin Islands, Saint-Martin, and Phuket in Thailand. The 154-foot Dutch shipbuilder Feadship is actually named BG (for her owner, the Canadian entrepreneur Bobby Genovese) and spends her winters in the Caribbean and summers in the Med. With her monogram palette, sky lounge, beautiful outdoor spaces, and that water slide, it is easy to see why Bravo used BG as the setting for so many of its seasons. BG charters for around $154,000 per week.

MY Seanna
MY Seanna has joined Valor in featuring more times than any other Below Deck superyacht, with appearances in three of the nine seasons. When we first met her she was cruising around the islands of French Polynesia under her own name but has since been renamed Starship (although in Season 9 Below Deck she is still using her original name). Throughout her seasons on the show, MY Seanna has cruised to some other destinations including Antigua and St Kitts. With her open-air Jacuzzi, spacious beach club, and array of water toys, it’s no surprise she has been one of the show’s best-loved superyachts. Starship charters from $260,000/week.

Below Deck Mediterranean and Below Deck Sailing Yacht

Below Deck’s astounding popularity has seen spin-off series’ Below Deck Mediterranean, with the much-loved Captain Sandy at the helm, and Below Deck Sailing Yacht, with Captain Glen air simultaneously. With new cruising grounds and a whole new fleet of spectacular charter superyachts, viewers feel this is “must-see TV!”

Of course, for those not able to afford that level of luxury yet and are still seeking a private boat experience, check out H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions at https://h2ocaptain.com if you are looking for an experience that includes seeing wild horses and discovering great shelling on Shackleford Banks or seeing a Lighthouse at Cape Lookout and of course cruising the waterways of The Crystal Coast in the Southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA!

Whichever adventure you choose, welcome aboard!