Below Deck, the longest-running series of the five-show Below Deck franchise, kicks off season 12 on June 8. The motoryacht St. David, a 197-foot (60-meter) Benetti that was in season 11, too, takes the crew and guests around the Caribbean. Whether you’re a fan of the show or a charterer seeking a new experience, here are eight fascinating facts about her.
She’s the Biggest Below Deck Yacht
Among all the yachts ever to appear on Below Deck, the motoryacht St. David is the largest, at 197 feet (60 meters). A related fun fact, the previous record holder for length was Talisman Maiton, from season 3 of Below Deck Mediterranean. She measures 178 feet (54.2 meters).
She’s Big on Amenities
St. David’s extra length and her 34 feet (10.4 meters) of beam don’t go to waste. In fact, the Winch Design studio, responsible for the interior, put it to use in creative ways. The master suite is an especially good example. It’s two levels, with a raised bedroom connecting to an elegant private lounge via a stairway. The stairway is quite elegant, too, with ornate metal scroll designs adorning the balustrades (below).
She Has a Show-Stopping Central Staircase
Although the owners or primary charter guests are the only ones who get to see the master suite stairs, not all is lost. A just-as-grand, three-deck-high floating staircase (below) allows guests to move around with ease. A spinning globe sits adjacent to it on the lower deck, in proximity to the five guest staterooms. Sunlight spills down through the center of the stairs thanks to a skylight—which is actually the bottom of the sundeck pool.
The Toybox Is Terrific
Since she’s a charter yacht, the motoryacht St. David carries a wide assortment of watertoys. For example, a nearly 24-foot (7.2-meter) Four Winns is the primary tender. If guests want to head to the beach while the yacht is at anchor, a RIB can drive practically right up onto the sand. Further playthings include two waterbikes, two Seabobs, plus a handful of paddleboards. Additionally, the yacht offers a pretty extensive inflatables assortment, along with fishing gear, diving gear, and waterskiing gear.
Relaxation Is Real Easy Onboard
As much as watertoys are a blast, sometimes a vacation calls for simply chilling out. How does a massage room sound? St. David has one, along with a dedicated masseuse among her real crewmembers. The masseuse is experienced in deep-tissue and hot-stone treatments as well as reflexology, among other techniques.
Motoryacht St. David Just Pulled a Threepeat
While she’s the record holder among all the yachts across all the shows in terms of length, St. David ties another record. Specifically, she and My Seanna are the motoryachts making the most appearances, three each. If you count all the yachts of all five series, however, St. David and Seanna tie for second place. Parsifall III has been in every single season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht since the programpremiered in February 2020.
Her 3-Country Itinerary Isn’t Unusual
Appearing on the Today TV show earlier this month, Capt. Kerry Titheradge revealed filming took place in three countries. The production staff, Titheradge, and the crew had been spotted last spring onboard in Sint Maarten. Further filming occurred in St. Barths and Anguilla. Given how many Caribbean islands are relatively close to each other, multi-country itineraries are common for St. David. In fact, overall, charter guests who visit Sint Maarten often also visit St. Barths and Anguilla. Her weekly charter rate this year starts at €340,000 in low season. High season, meanwhile, starts at €360,000 per week.
Capt. Kerry Isn’t Her Real Captain
Although Capt. Kerry Titheradge ran St. David in season 11 of Below Deck, she isn’t his full-time charge. That’s typical for the Below Deck shows, except for Below Deck Sailing Yacht. In that series, the true captain, Glenn Shephard, has been at the helm in every episode. Titheradge owns the company Yachting Concepts, providing yacht-delivery and yacht-management services, among others. He has nearly 30 years of experience under his belt and ran a variety of vessels from barges to ferries prior to yachts.
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