The Yacht Mereley I and Her Spirited Approach to Long-Range Discoveries

Just because a yacht can go exploring doesn’t mean she needs to look rough and tumble. AES Yacht and Hot Lab conceived the yacht Mereley I on spec with this in mind. With the capacities of a traditional far-flung cruiser, she has “a more dynamic and sporty spirit,” says Enrico Lumini, Hot Lab’s co-founder and design director.

It starts straight away with her profile, where an unexpected color scheme immediately grabs your attention. Hot Lab borrowed the bright blue of the hull and the bold red of the bootstripe from motorsports. Red further reflects an active and energetic personality. Although her best-range cruise of 11½ knots certainly isn’t speedy, the 113-footer (34.6-meter) can cover 3,800 nautical miles at that pace. That permits plenty of activity and enjoyment of everything from coastlines to open horizons along the way.

Interestingly, although Hot Lab didn’t use bold colors inside, the yacht Mereley I has an abundance of personality from deck to deck. Naturally neutral tones like linen and sand come together with dark, warm greys and rich blacks. Nothing overpowers the senses, yet they still convey assertive elegance. Hot Lab purposely avoided pastels or anything too deep as a dominant color and instead aimed for a city-chic apartment. Additionally, the designers employed textured surfaces to create particular effects. “We wanted the interiors to feature many reflections—partly to trick the eye, and partly to bring the bluish hues of the sea into the spaces,” Lumini explains.

Throughout the yacht Mereley I, you’ll find materials like oak, multiple lacquered surfaces, and resins. Outdoor areas receive special attention, too, especially with intricate handrails and teak ceilings for overhangs. In terms of the interiors, though, owners will appreciate the detailing in their suite on the main deck. Dark hardwoods and marble inset overhead lend some drama day to night. Surely they’ll also enjoy entertaining in the skylounge, where the bar benefits from terrific views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Cozy waterside entertaining is possible in the intimate beach club, which additionally has sky lights.

Currently, Mereley I is for sale, with an asking price of €13.95 million. Deniz Kaymaz, a broker at her central agent Northrop & Johnson, considers her “a statement of ambition, sophistication, and the pursuit of adventure.” In the meantime, AES Yacht has a same-size hull entering construction soon, plus is developing a 131-foot (40-meter) version of her with Hot Lab. The shipyard and studio are longtime partners. Erdem Biçer, AES Yacht’s manager and a partner, says it’s a terrific relationship. “Their design approach considers not only aesthetics, but also the yacht’s intended use and production process, which greatly facilitates the shipyard’s work.”

AES Yacht aesyacht.com

Hot Lab hotlab.it

Northrop & Johnson northropandjohnson.com