Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Forbes
Forbes
Lifestyle
Bill Springer, Contributor

New Superyacht Owner Profile: Dave Hagewood

Dave Hagewood and Danielle Hill onboard Galaxy Dave Hagewood and Danielle Hill

Like many ocean-obsessed-experience-seekers, Dave Hagewood and Danielle Hill became hooked on the superyacht lifestyle as soon as they started chartering yachts in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. But once they got a taste of the luxury, mobility, and the ability to enjoy exclusive adventures with their tight group of family and friends that large yachts provide, they soon realized that chartering would never be enough. They needed to own a yacht that would reflect their unique tastes and desires that they and their community could live an aboard for as long as they wanted.

Superyacht Galaxy's night-club-inspired main salon is exactly what Hagewood and Hill wanted Jack Hardy

And lucky for them, design experts Marie Soliman- Berglund, Albin Berglund and Sarah Colbon of Njord by Bergman Design House did way more than just “refresh” the interior of the pretty conventional 184-foot-long, 2005 Benetti they found. In fact, Hagewood’s newly relaunched Galaxy is the ultra-luxe-Burning Man-inspired, superyacht spaceship the young, first-time superyacht owner always knew he wanted.

Superyacht Galaxy Jack Hardy

“I was just magnetized to this,” says Hagewood when he talks about first stepping aboard. “We vibed with it even though it was an older boat with a dated interior because we’re good at imagining what could be changed.

“And I really wanted something that was going to be unique,” he adds.

Galaxy's interior is inspired by space and Burning Man Jack Hardy

Sarah Colbon describes how she and the husband-and-wife team of Marie Soliman-Berglund and Albin Berglund were able to exceed Hagewood’s expectations. “The design concept was always about Dave and Danielle’s love of life, passion for creating their own community like they find at Burning Man and gifting everyone who steps onboard an energy that’s pure and unforgettable. Galaxy their very own spaceship.”

“We want Galaxy be the creative focal point where everyone can be free to do what they want and just have a ton of fun and bring their own talents and energies to the boat and see what happens,” Hagewood adds.

The forward area of the owners suite is designing for Hagewood and his friends to hang out under the "stars." Jack Hardy

Hagewood’s background (he founded Psyonix LLC that developed the wildly successful video game Rocket League and was eventually sold to Epic Games in 2019) also brings some fresh perspective to superyacht ownership as well.

“There are lot of yachts out there that are very private, very closed. And there are lots of people that are kind of just retired sailing off into the sunset,” he says. “But there are a few that are open to the energy and the vibe we're bringing.”

The upper saloon onboard Galaxy Jack Hardy

“Their passion for outer space and that feeling of being in another world meant so much, Galaxy became this, but it’s also their home on the water,” Colbon adds. “It touches the senses from head to toe, especially in the main salon which can be their very own private members club, a super comfortable space to chill in the afternoon, a movie theater and then transform into a nightclub where Dave can play his latest music track.”

The hot tub deck is forward of the owners suite. Jack Hardy

Other unique design features include the master suite that has a music studio and unique snuggle space in their private apartment in the bow. And the cosmic-inspired accents including the illuminated headboard with their own star signs is off-the-hook. The upper saloon features one-of-a-kind artwork by Hannah Camille, and a cool a space for playing the piano and dining.

After speaking with Hagewood and Hill about the community, beauty, luxury, and adventure that a yacht like Galaxy makes possible, I wasn’t surprised to learn about their love of Burning Man.

The textures, colors, artwork and lighting onboard Galaxy create an unmistakable vibe. Jack Hardy

And that actually got me thinking.

If they can design and refit a yacht to bring Burning Man’s unique vibe, ethos, energy and community spirit to superyacht ownership. What other modern inspiration sources could propel superyacht design and ownership into cool new realms?

The main salon onboard Galaxy. Jack Hardy

I’m looking forward to finding out.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.