Yacht Summerdance Refit Celebrates Cerulean Coastal Elegance

Jim and Sharon Mattei don’t just like yachting, and the suitably nautical color blue. They love the lifestyle, and the shade is Sharon’s favorite color. With a fondness for classic wood, an American yacht builder, and putting their personality on projects, they did what they do best. They acquired a 20-year-old Trinity Yachts superyacht and commissioned a 10-month, $5-million refit. As a result, the yacht Summerdance is in some ways reminiscent of the day she departed her builder. Simultaneously, she’s as well suited to how the Matteis like entertaining family—and how select charter guests like vacationing today.

Lauren Bonville and Cindy Gunther, co-owners of Bonville Associates, vividly remember sitting down with Jim Mattei in October 2024. That’s when he informed them that he and Sharon were seeking another yacht. It wasn’t long afterwards that the 146-foot (44-meter) Second Love, launched as Chevy Toy in 2004, was in their hands. Neither the conversation nor the specific yacht came as a surprise. The Matteis had worked with Bonville Associates three previous times, starting with its late founder, Claudette Bonville. They had also owned several Trinitys.

The owners and crews of the 146-footer had taken care of her, further extending her in 2017 for a different transom and swim platform. “It got a lot of love,” Gunther says, referring to the overall condition and the years of cruising. The all-aluminum yacht had systems needing overhaul, but the original African cherrywood was mostly in good shape. Since the Matteis are fans of the rich wood, it would remain, with touchups here and there. A color palette change and contemporary coastal feel that still feels time-honored would change the ambience. “Our goal was to preserve her soul while delivering a yacht that feels effortless, elegant, and ready for years of adventure,” Bonville says.

Initially, a multi-million-dollar, extensive refit wasn’t on anyone’s mind. In fact, primarily changing out some furnishings and fabrics over a few months was the Matteis’ original intention. However, as is often the case, the scope expanded from bow to stern and top deck to lower deck. From sanding down all of the paneling and lending it a satin finish to adding cabinetry and stonework in a few rooms, plus adding entirely custom furnishings throughout, the yacht Summerdance began a major transformation.

For instance, Bonville Associates designed built-in cabinetry outboard for the saloon (top), including a pop-up television in the console to starboard. Looking as if they’ve been there all along, the pieces create a coziness to the room, as do the two seating groupings. The designers also added cabinetry forward in the skylounge, concealing a wine fridge along with practical stowage for the crew. Entirely redesigned built-ins and nightstands went into the main-deck master suite. Each of the four guest staterooms gained wooden shutters, writing desks, hidden mini refrigerators, and more. From room to room, hues of blue and white lend more classic beauty, without anything looking the same. In fact, fabric patterns and artwork lend each area its own personality.

Arguably the biggest changes the yacht Summerdance now features are the design of the skylounge and main stairway. Previously, the skylounge ceiling grabbed attention with a mural of a map overhead and stained glass set within cabinetry. Neither suited the Matteis’ time-honored tastes, so Bonville Associates re-imagined the ceiling to mimic the shapes of the bar directly beneath it to port. The staircase, meanwhile, had a striking wrought-iron railing dating back to the megayacht’s launch. It’s now a more understated yet still elegant stainless steel and wood design. It curves as it rises up from the lower deck to the guest entry foyer and onward to the upper deck.

master suite aboard superyachtt Summerdance

From welcoming the Matteis’ family and friends to charter guests, the yacht Summerdance has a welcoming feel. Fellow classicists will be delighted upon seeing the navy-blue hull, as will those who find all-white yachts just a bit too monotonous. She’s chartering through Northrop & Johnson for select dates for $165,000 per week. She’s further for sale through Northrop & Johnson, asking $17.95 million.

Bonville Associates bonvilleassociates.com

Northrop & Johnson northropandjohnson.com