Every yacht is a reflection of her owner, and, after my time aboard DREAmer, I'd very much like to meet the particular man to whom she belongs. Since it was his hand that guided not just the layout, but also the decor and finish, he clearly has a finely honed sense of style, an appreciation for functionality and a sense of whimsy. My kind of guy. DREAmer is the most recent launch from the prolific Hargrave Custom Yachts, which started as the design office of Jack Hargrave and grew into a world-class builder of fine yachts. At 136 feet, DREAmer is the new trideck flagship for Hargrave, as well as its first build in Turkey. Hargrave has an almost cultlike following among its owners — primarily for producing highly creative yachts, but also for making the build process and ownership enjoyable — and DREAmer is no less than the fourth Hargrave for this owner.
Though the largest Hargrave to date, DREAmer won’t be for everyone, and certainly not if you’re expecting the customary Hargrave interior of high-gloss cherry with glittering chrome and glass. No, DREAmer is all simplicity marked by understated yet elegant styling. But, lest you think she is as minimalist as a penthouse on the Champs-Elysées, prepare yourself for some “oh-wow” moments. The salon sets the stage for DREAmer, with dark-stained makore, Ultrasuede bulkheads and black Italian Formenti couches with faux reptile skin. A gracefully curved bar is aft, and a dining table with seating for eight is forward, with an immense TV hidden in a counter under the large windows. The 7-foot-3-inch headroom combines with the 27-foot beam to give the salon a voluminous feel. The galley is forward of the curving bulkhead on the main deck, and this will be your first “oh-wow” moment. It is, quite simply, huge. Yachts twice this size have smaller galleys, but, for these owners who love to cook and who don't carry a chef in the crew, it's their playroom as well. There’s even a settee with table for guests to join in the fun, and I’m told this is the most used area aboard. Dominating the galley is a central island, but unlike most others, this is strictly for food preparation and doesn’t have the usual sink or cooktop. Surrounding counters are fitted with restaurant-quality appliances: Wolf cooktop and double oven with warmer drawers, Sub-Zero refrigerators plus a stand-up 78-bottle wine cooler. Forward along the portside corridor is the full-beam master suite, which continues the dark makore/Ultrasuede décor, broken only by huge windows that provide a fine view from the king-size berth. A door to starboard leads to an impressive walk-in closet, and a row of bureaus is under the windows to port.
Step into the master head for your second “oh-wow.” The entire sole is polished Italian-glass oval tiles, individually laid and extending into the oversize shower and continuing up the bulkhead. For those used to the usual marble finish, these Sicis water-glass tiles are, well, quite breathtaking. They look good and feel pleasant under bare feet. Another unique touch is the swoopy vanity with twin vessel sinks, and rounding out this wonderfulness is a freestanding oval Pharo whirlpool tub. Gentle stairs lead from the main deck to a large foyer on the lower deck, configured so that the four guest staterooms open directly into the foyer. Each of the three suites has a queen-size berth and intricately tiled en suite head, and the fourth has twin berths with a Pullman for kids or single adults. In case more children are aboard, the forward starboard stateroom also has a separate kids’ cabin.
