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'Below Deck': Francesca Rubi replaces Kate Chastain, fans say show 'doesn't have that appeal it once did'

Kate, who was Captain Lee Rosbach's go-to person, has now been replaced by Francesca Rubi, an Australian native with an impressive background in yachting

Kate Chastain announced her exit from 'Below Deck' after being a season regular for seven years. Kate, who was Captain Lee Rosbach's go-to person, has now been replaced by Francesca Rubi, an Australian native with an impressive background in yachting. She has had experience in celebrity management and believes in perfection, which means her team will have to be continuously on their toes in order for them to be in her good books. Kate is currently working on other projects and a part of 'Bravo Chat Room'.

While Francesca is trying her best to adjust to the new crew and yacht, Captain Lee is having the hardest time getting everything together, at least in his mind. He is worried about the new joinees and how they'll live up to the standards the former team members set, especially Kate. Talking to ET Online, Lee said that it was good to have Eddie Lucas back. He left the show after Season 3 ended on a controversial note. He had cheated on his girlfriend back home with third stew, Raquel "Rocky" Dakota.

"I was sad to see Kate go, and I didn't know how the chemistry would work between my new chief stew and myself, or between my new chief stew and everyone else because, you know, when you work with somebody as long as I worked with Kate, you can you get a sense for how she's going to interact with certain people in certain personalities. And so, you get a feel for how things are going to transpire or not during the course of the season," the Captain further elaborated on Kate's absence from the show.

Meanwhile, fans don't watch to the show without Kate in it. "I don’t think I can watch #BelowDeck without @Kate_Chastain," a user commented, while another added: "15 minutes in and I already missing @Kate_Chastain she would've been getting ready for the charter. Idk what the new one doing #BelowDeck."

"Out of all season not to have kate on with captain lee being in the hospital. #belowdeck," a fan pointed out, another tweeted: "I'm done watching now that Kate is gone I only watched to see her Tbh I'm sick of #bravotv it doesn't have that appeal it once did !! #BelowDeck."

"Its official- I cant handle change - i already don’t like the chef stew / give me @Kate_Chastain or give me nothing at all #BelowDeck," a viewer expressed. "Absolutely no one will ever be able to replace Kate! #BelowDeck #BravoTV@Kate_Chastain," another posted.

Catch all the new episodes of 'Below Deck' Season 8 on Bravo at 9/8c every Monday. For more information, check your local listings.