Buying a support yacht? Read this.

Decisions, Decisions. Which support yacht is right for you?

Q: When considering a new support yacht, where does one get started?

Smith: First, we determine the buyer’s needs so we can define the exact purpose of the support vessel. For example, is he building a standalone support yacht or is he building a new superyacht and support yacht simultaneously? Is his goal to reclaim space aboard an existing mother yacht? Does he wish to supplement his capabilities on the water with new water activities and logistical support? Defining details like these are crucial to ensuring the best possible solution.

Q: SHADOWCAT has built its legacy on catamarans. Is this hull the best option for support yachts?

Smith: Catamarans make a lot of sense for support yachts because they deliver more by way of capacity, speed, stability and economy than monohulls. With a 40-percent greater capacity than comparable monohulls, SHADOWCAT’s catamaran design includes multi-deck storage for pleasure craft plus an optional helipad on the top deck, and more. The stability of our catamaran hull also means that 70 percent more weight can be safely craned off the sides. The needed fuel load for a SHADOWCAT catamaran hull is an estimated 40 percent less than that of a comparable monohull. Catamarans can also achieve higher max speeds more efficiently than monohulls. These practicalities can’t be denied.

That said, catamarans may not be the right choice for everyone. As such, SHADOWCAT introduced a bespoke, monohull option. Now recognized as the industry’s most efficient monohull support yacht, SHADOWOLF meets the increasing demand for guest-level comfort and services. It focuses on passenger comfort and accommodation, while still enhancing adventures at sea. The hybrid, aluminium hull design offers some of the highest speeds of and the superior efficiency for any support yacht available on the market. It’s an excellent option for those who require support and prioritize yacht-level comfort for guests and crew. In short, SHADOWCAT offers the most flexible superyacht support vessels options, down to the hull.

Q: What should buyers look for in a support yacht developer?

Smith: Look at each developer’s track record and capabilities. How feasible are the concepts and how many vessels have been delivered? Since 2019, SHADOWCAT has delivered three support yachts, with more coming. This translates to SHADOWCAT delivering the most catamaran tonnage of anyone in the industry over the past five years, starting with award-winning Hodor. As the only fully bespoke support yacht developer in the market, I can say with confidence that proven experience is the most important asset.