It’s been a while since we last heard from Dominator. Turns out, they’ve been busy shrinking the 28-metre Ilumen down to size, like a superyacht that’s had a spin in the hot wash. The result is a compact but unmistakably Dominator design, still distinctively stylish and with oodles of customisation options - just in a 10.5-metre (34.4ft) footprint and with a €1.2 million price tag to match.
Power options include twin 300hp diesels or twin 430hp petrol V8s, both on stern drives. The diesel version, tested here, tops out at 37 knots, while the petrol V8 stretches that to 45 knots. At 25 knots, the diesel model will cover 350 nautical miles - plenty for cruising the Med in style.
Dominator Midi Illumen M35
- LOA 34' 5"
- Model Year 2023
- Max Speed 45 knots
- Status Discontinued
- Yacht Type Sportsboat
- Use Type Dayboating
Test & Review Video
At Sea
The twin Volvo Penta D4 300s are running stern drives, so this means the diesel setup won't have the instant hit of the twin 430hp petrol V8s. The petrol version will pull all the way to 45 knots, but this diesel tops out at 37 knots which is still properly brisk for a boat of this size.
It will settle into a sweet spot at 3,000 RPM, cruising at 23-25 knots, and the fuel burn is at 80 litres per hour across both engines. At that pace, range stretches up to 350nm.
Twin stern drives, narrow beam, a sharp hull - it’s the same winning formula seen on rivals like the Fairline F-Line 33 and Windy 32 Grand Zonda. But when you’re at the helm, it’s a fantastic experience. It grips, it’s incredibly responsive, and it makes you feel connected to the water. You can read the sea state instantly, adjust quickly, and the way it slices through the chop is just spot on. For my money, there isn’t a better drivetrain for a boat of this size - it’s agile and confidence-inspiring.
At the Marina
This diesel-powered version, fitted with twin Volvo Penta D4 300s, comes with the optional joystick, giving it full docking control at the push of a button. Like IPS, it’s intuitive - just point the stick where you want to go, and the boat follows.
For a stern-drive setup, it’s quite nimble. On larger boats with stern drives, you sometimes feel the legs fighting the bow and struggling to get the nose where you want it. Not here. Even without the high-power mode engaged, the twin drives react quickly and predictably, letting you twist on the spot. The shorter length helps when sliding sideways, keeping movement clean and controlled, without that awkward ‘bow chasing the stern’ effect.
And if you do find yourself needing a little extra fine control, the side power bow thruster is there to tidy up the positioning.
The Dominator Midi Ilumen M35 exists because it was a specific request from an Ilumen 28M owner who wanted a smaller chase boat to completely match their yacht. Dominator has delivered this, scaling down the distinctive Ilumen look but without losing its bold styling or premium feel. The swooping superstructure, expansive glasswork, and attention to detail all remain, just in a more compact package.
Dominator has shrunk the Ilumen 28M down in size but not in presence. The muscular A-pillars, which frame the reverse windscreen, remain. As well as the carbon hardtop, sunroof, the sweeping rollbar, and the glazing bulwarks all carried over. Though the underlying layout stays the same, with a social cockpit, a convertible V-berth in the cabin, and a separate bathroom, there’s no shortage of ways to tailor it.
The €1.2 million price tag is a serious chunk of change for a boat this size, but then, this isn’t just any 35-footer. Dominator is in the bespoke yacht game, meaning you can spec this however you like. The layout is set, but in terms of materials, finishes, marbles, leathers, and everything else, the choices are almost endless. On Hull #1 though there are dark and light grey oaks, paired with hand-selected Nubuck leather, ash-grey parquet flooring, suede-like Alcantara-clad bulkheads and ceilings, and dark grey leather accents stitched in red. The furniture blends the two contrasting oak finishes, one with a deep matte grain, the other polished to a high gloss, offset with stainless steel details.
As this is hull number one, and as with any new model, Dominator is already making tweaks for hull number two, fine-tuning as real world use highlights areas for improvement.
Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s fully loaded, it’s bold, and it’s a proper head-turner. You won’t blend in at the marina with this one.
In the lower deck, the headroom is tight for anyone around 6ft - it’s a bit of a stoop-and-shuffle affair. That said, you’re mostly sitting down in here anyway, as the space is just for lounging or sleeping.
The table drops down and put a cushion on top to create a double berth. Blinds cover all the windows, and there’s a sky hatch overhead for some natural light and air - though air conditioning is fitted as standard. There’s also a hatch under the staircase, which can be propped open for some extra ventilation.
This is where you can really stamp your personality on the boat. The grey upholstery, marble finishes, and orange scatter cushions all look very smart, but if you fancy something different, Dominator will tailor the space to whatever colour scheme suits - whether you want it to match your car, house, or even your wash bag.
It’s an occasional sleeping space, but it’s a handy to have, whether you just want to escape the sun, cool off with the air con, or nip in to use the loo. And while it’s compact, they’ve still made room for some useful stuff.
Under the counter, there’s another fridge, and under the marble countertop, sits a big integrated sink. Storage is decent, with enough space for a coffee machine. And then there’s the bathroom, which is beautifully finished. Headroom is tight, but you do get a proper Tecma toilet, a big, wide sink, and a smart bit of marble detailing to lift the space. But the star of the show is the glass partition. A quick tap on the control panel, and privacy mode kicks in instantly, turning the glass opaque.
The stubby little windscreen on the M35 is unmistakable, following the sweeping lines of the larger Ilumen 28. It won’t do much to keep the rain off though, but what it does do is give you a clear, uninterrupted view forward. You can lower it the helm seat down to get a bit more protection. Keep it up, and you’ve got a brilliant standing driving position that really lets you feel connected to what's around you. The glass sides add to that sensation, letting you watch the water stream off the hull.
All the controls fall to hand nicely. There’s a mix of Garmin and Raymarine instrumentation, and as with everything Dominator does, if you want something specific, they’ll sort it for you. The trim system, throttles, and twin screens are all intuitive to use, with engine data and charting neatly split across the displays. There’s also a dedicated phone charger. One thing that’s going to change is the dash material, which isn’t too happy about being left out in the elements - one of the tweaks already planned for the next hull. But layout-wise, it’s pretty good.
At the stern, one of the first things getting a rethink for Hull #2 is the catches. At the moment, the shore power, diesel filler, and deck shower are all shut behind locking catches, when really, a simple pull catch would do the job far more efficiently. That’s going to be sorted for the next hull to make things a little less fiddly.
You’ve got pop-out cleats, a little fixed bathing platform, and, of course, a ladder that drops into the water. The central walkway is flanked by twin sun pads, with plenty of space for two to stretch out. There are drink holders in all the right places, and the handrail, integrated into the coaming, is a smart touch.
For engine access, two hatches lift independently but take the cushions off first. Then there's a manual hatch for a bit of storage underneath, deep enough for fenders and lines. Push a button, and the twin rams lift the entire section, revealing both Volvo Penta D4 300s, each fully accessible.
It’s a step down into the cockpit, and once you’re there, it’s all about seating. The layout balances chase boat, tender, and leisure cruiser for a space that’s comfortable, social, and well protected. You sit nice and low, wrapped by high sides with glass panels, keeping that connection to the water without feeling too exposed. The windscreen is a bit short, but in terms of blocking wind off the beam, it does a surprisingly good job.
That’s helped massively by the optional carbon fibre hardtop, which - unless you enjoy heatstroke - is a must-have. It comes with a fabric Webasto sunroof, sliding back to let the sunshine in when conditions are right.
A table option is available too for lunch, drinks, or just lounging, it will change the space into a proper social hub. The barbecue setup is under a hatch and the current design requires a vacuum to pop it open. This is another area due for improvement. Future hulls will have a lift system, raising the grill to a more user-friendly height. Over on the opposite side, there’s another hatch with extra storage.
There’s induction charging for your phone built straight into the teak on both sides. A couple of cup holders sit alongside and for storage, there’s a deep bin down below for tucking away loose bits and bobs. The all-important ice maker is right here, and opposite, a pair of drawer fridges sit neatly under the seating. There’s also another undercounter fridge, adding plenty of cooling space. The deck hatches lead down to technical areas, giving access to the fuel tank and the SeaKeeper.
Foredeck
There are no side decks on the M35, which is why the cockpit feels so spacious. The beam is just 3.2 metres (10.5ft), but pushing the cockpit right to the edges makes the most of what’s available. The trade-off is in order to get to the foredeck, you have to step up and over the low windscreen. They’ve had to engineer a hatch to give you a bit of extra headroom as you move forward otherwise you would bash your head on the hardtop. It’s a complex bit of kit and it's a two-person job to put it up.
At the foredeck, it's apparent this isn’t the easiest boat to crew. With no railings, Dominator has opted for fender eyes dotted around the deck. Loop the fenders through, pin them in place, and you’re set. The downside is they’re in fixed positions, so there’s less flexibility than traditional rail-mounted fenders. The massive forward locker can take all the boat’s fenders, though access could be more user-friendly. Right now, it opens in a way that makes it awkward to reach from the bow - another tweak in the works for hull #2.
Pop-up cleats are sensibly positioned, and the anchor system is completely hidden away. Push a button, and the entire arm swings out to deploy. There’s also the option for a through-hull anchor, which may not look quite as sleek, but will certainly remove the hassle of manually lifting and dropping it.
There’s really a lot of form over function up here. It looks great, but compared to its more practical rivals, it needs quite a nimble crew.
Our Verdict
This whole project started with a simple request. An owner of the 28-metre Ilumen asked Dominator, "Can you make me a smaller, more fun version?" And they’ve done just that, distilling the essence of the Ilumen’s style and presence into a 10-metre (32.8ft) package with a completely different purpose from the mini superyacht it’s based on. This boat is made for cruising the Med at 25 knots, hopping between bays, coves, and beaches, turning heads every time you arrive. And turn heads it does. Pull into a marina, and the camera phones come out instantly. If you like to keep a low profile, this probably isn’t the boat for you. if you want something a bit different, something that’s as fun to drive as it is to look at, this is absolutely it.
But scaling things down comes with compromises. There are elements where style wins over practicality, what comes next. Now that they’ve laid the groundwork, the potential for this platform is exciting. This version sits somewhere between a tender and a day boat, but Dominator isn’t stopping here. A 15-metre (49.2ft) model is already in the pipeline, complete with proper cabins below deck. And that? That’s something worth watching.
Reasons to Buy
- Great driving dynamics
- Glass privacy feature
- Tech-packed helm
- Head-turner
Things to Consider
- Limited headroom
- Expensive for its size
- A bit form over function
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Specifications
- Builder Dominator
- Range Ilumen
- Model Dominator Midi Illumen M35
- Length Overall 34' 5"
- Beam 10' 6"
- Draft 2' 6"
- Hull GRP
- Berths 1
- Yacht Type (Primary) Sportsboat
- Use Type (Primary) Dayboating
- Cruising Speed
- Max Speed
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