Matthew Rhys
A longtime loyal friend of ours, the inimitable Matthew Rhys has never failed to inspire. His current venture is no exception. In addition to being an Emmy award winner for his role in “The Americans” and now Emmy nominated for best actor in “Perry Mason,” Matthew has been hard at work on a very cool side project. Alongside captain Kelli Farwell, he recently finished restoring a boat from the 1930’s (one of only four Wheeler Playmates in the world) — the same class of boat Ernest Hemingway owned. And now, you can charter the historical American gem, called “Rarebit,” if you are in the NYC area. In our chat, Matthew shared everything you need to know about the vessel (you can also read more about it here). Meanwhile, you can catch him on land in season three of The Wine Show streaming now, and lookout for him on season two of Perry Mason, which will begin filming soon. You could say Matthew is starboard bound riding multiple waves of success…
Matthew and his Captain Kelli Farwell on board the Rarebit.
The Bare Magazine: The level of difficulty restoring your boat must have been quite high. What went into it and how did it all begin?
Matthew Rhys: It all began back in 2017 when, very drunkenly, I stumbled across an eBay post for a Wheeler Playmate and having been a very big Hemingway fan, I knew instantly what a wheeler playmate was. I was most surprised that there was one for sale on eBay because they are so incredibly rare. In fact, there's only four registered Wheeler Playmates left. So in that instant, through rose tinted glasses, I thought, you know what, I will restore a piece of Brooklyn and New York history so that people not only can enjoy it, but the boat can have a second life. And I can also entertain people in a way that I like, which is to give them a historic experience. You know, a ‘30s feel where people would drink cocktails on a boat while listening to gramophone records of a bygone era.
It took three and a half years of incredibly hard, laborious work from Kelli Farwell and myself, which meant taking the boat down to its bare planks, ripping up the seams, splining them with oak and mahogany and then redoing the entire hull. We did every inch of that boat.
Bare: In what way are you hoping it will bring joy to you and those who climb on board?
MR: What I'm hoping that is that people have a very unique experience. We offer an historical boat that has an incredible history to it because Hemingway was part of it. It became a part of literary history. You're not just hiring a white fiberglass boat, you're hiring an antique wooden boat, the same boat that Ernest Hemingway had, and you’re having a 1930’s experience on this incredible harbor that is New York, where you can see iconic and historical landmarks.
Bare: For chartered rides, can folks tailor the adventure to suit any occasion event or celebration? What’s included in a chartered ride—and what’s the fee?
MR: An average charter picks up our clients from the very famous Brooklyn Bridge Park Marina, which has this incredible view of Manhattan. You see the skyline, you see one World Trade, Freedom Tower. We’re a Brooklyn boat. We are based there and we pick up and drop off there. If clients have a specific ask about where they want to go, we'll try and cater to them. But usually everyone wants to go to the Statue of Liberty and under the Brooklyn Bridge. We offer light bites, a charcuterie, a cheese plate, crackers, trimmings, olives, chips—all good stuff like that. And all drinks are included. The trip is two hours. One hour costs six hundred and eighty-five dollars. And a two hour minimum is required. Split between six people, it’s not that bad.
Bare: For those who think the fee to charter the Rarebit is a bit pricey, what do you say?
MR: I do see their point of view, but I have a few points too. One of them being this is a very unique charter. You're chartering a piece of literary history, a piece of New York history and a piece of Brooklyn history. Helicopter charters are $250 per person for 15 minutes. And here, you get to idle away languid hours on the river, seeing all the sights you choose—in the most relaxing way. The flip side of that for us is that just taking the boat out costs quite a bit of money because you have to pay a captain and crew and your marina fees when you pick up and drop off a charter. And then you have to fuel it and ensure it. So, we don't actually make that much money. But I understand. But if you split the cost, it’s going to be one of the best two hours you'll ever spend.
Bare: For many of your followers and fans, knowing all that you have put into the boat will only heighten their level of admiration and love for you to the next level. Is there a chance you'll be on board for a chartered ride or two? Might you read a Hemingway short story, serve up a glass of Talisker or a tasty rarebit?
MR: The short answer is yes. When we’ve been short on crew I’ve crewed quite a few charters and I’ve enjoyed them. I mix a mean cocktail. I certainly can read some Hemingway, be it “The Old Man and The Sea” or whichever. And yes, I have a very free and easy hand with the Talisker. So who knows? I could be aboard or I could not be!
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