KISMET - Lürssen's Masterclass in Shipbuilding

On 24 April 2024, Lürssen delivered Project JAG — now renamed KISMET — to her delighted Owners. The third yacht built for this long-standing Lürssen client, KISMET was eagerly anticipated from the moment her keel was laid. Following in the footsteps of an iconic predecessor was always going to be a challenge. With the technical mastery of the Lürssen shipyard, exterior design from Nuvolari Lenard, and interiors by Reymond Langton Design, she has exceeded every expectation.

“To execute such a comprehensive project, an excellent team is necessary,” says Managing Partner Peter Lürssen. “We are very proud of KISMET as yet another statement of Lürssen’s ability and desire to build yachts that meet all of our exacting Owners’ requirements, guided by expert engineering, beautiful design, and a commitment to sustainable technologies.”

At 122 metres and just under 5,000 GT, KISMET represents the pinnacle of engineering. Among her pioneering features is an innovative hybrid propulsion system enabling 15 minutes of cruising on electrical power alone. Perhaps most remarkable is her 4.9 x 1.3 metre single pane of structural glazing — by far the largest ever fitted on a yacht’s hull. Given that regulations typically restrict such windows to 60 x 40 centimetres, Lürssen invested eighteen months in rigorous stress and pressure tests, including dropping steel weights onto the glass to assess residual strength.

This engineering achievement defines much of KISMET’s design language. Glass flows seamlessly from window to structure and back again — in certain areas of the bulwark, glazing reaches an impressive 13 centimetres in thickness while maintaining exceptional clarity. Throughout the yacht, numerous jaguar elements pay homage to the NFL team based in Jacksonville, including a striking Art Deco silver jaguar figurehead beneath the bowsprit and an American football atop the flag mast.

A Journey Through Time and Space

“The Owner wanted an exceptional design that makes you travel through time and space,” says Pascale Reymond of Reymond Langton Design. “KISMET is not just a yacht or a home — she is a journey where all your passion and senses are challenged. She is a time capsule, from the glorious parties of Versailles under Louis XIV, to the matinee theatre of the roaring twenties Art Deco Hollywood era.”

That philosophy permeates every deck. The top deck centres on a large Jacuzzi with a shallow area for children, surrounded by the largest sunbeds on board. A stone-topped dining table seats 14 beneath the mast, alongside a bar, beer fridge, and gas-fired pizza oven. Below, a multifunctional party space converts between helipad, outdoor cinema, and relaxation area — complete with six hammocks and carbon fibre sun awnings with inductive LED lighting.

The pool deck commands attention with an 11-metre mosaic-lined swimming pool — interior tiles glittering in a kaleidoscope of blues around an artistically styled ‘K’ — fed by a cascading waterfall from the deck above. Behind curved glass doors, the pool deck lounge channels an Ibiza beach club aesthetic: rope-tasselled curtains, ivory limestone floors, and low round sofas that transform into a multicolour disco at night, with thousands of LED lights and an interactive LED dancefloor revealed beneath the white carpet.

At the heart of the yacht hangs one of KISMET’s defining features: a 4.5-metre gold and crystal chandelier suspended through a three-deck atrium. Its design answers a specific creative challenge. “How to reproduce the chandeliers from La Galerie des Glaces in Versailles, without having a forest of chandeliers and in a smaller space?” asks Reymond. “One single, large, elaborate chandelier in a very contemporary space surrounded by mirrors.”

Owner’s Spaces

The Owner’s office commands 180-degree views over the bow, with a large skylight flooding the masculine, modern space — finished in black, silver, and high-gloss Dark Macassar Ebony — with natural light. A custom Silverlining desk and a large red L-shaped sofa anchor the room. “This is the core and the brains behind this fabulous yacht,” says Reymond. “All directed and orchestrated by the Owner — a Chicago 1930s film director — and his office is the heart of it all.”

The master cabin beneath occupies more than half the interior guest space on its deck. Cream merino wool carpet, high-gloss walnut marquetry, and embroidered Sabina Fay Braxton feature walls set the tone, with a large gas fireplace and skylight framed by Art Deco gold panels. Adjacent is a private Jacuzzi terrace with sunbathing and dining space, while forward, the bow serves as both a certified helipad and a convertible NBA-certified basketball and pickleball court.

Guest Accommodation & Wellness

Seven cabins accommodate up to 18 guests in total, each suite drawing inspiration from nature to the Owners’ favourite fashion houses. One features bespoke Lalique crystal dahlia wallpaper with matching headboard and door handles. Bathrooms throughout pair bold marbles with his-and-hers sinks, while televisions are concealed behind mirrors to preserve each room’s aesthetic integrity.

The lower deck functions as a full-service wellness sanctuary with a Balinese theme — complete with Technogym, yoga lounge, juice bar, hammam, sauna, plunge pool, dry ice room, and a cryogenic chamber reaching -85 degrees Celsius. A futuristic ‘Tron’ corridor guides guests through the engine room via glass walkway, with blue and white LED strips displaying live technical data against black leather and marble.

At the yacht’s forward extremity, the Nemo room serves as both observation lounge and private cinema. Art Deco in style, with peacock blue and gold accents, three 2.85-metre windows descend a metre below the waterline — offering extraordinary views of sea life — while a 160-inch screen descends from the ceiling for film screenings, complete with a bespoke popcorn station in the lobby outside.

Performance & Engineering

KISMET cruises at up to 18 knots with a range of 6,000 nautical miles at 12 knots. Her Diesel-Electric Hybrid Propulsion Concept — developed entirely in-house by Lürssen engineers — combines two diesel engines driving controllable pitch propellers through individual gearboxes equipped with PTI/PTO units, allowing diesel-electric propulsion at low speeds and electrical generation at higher speeds. A proven heat recovery system completes her sustainability credentials.

Tender storage houses an 11.2-metre Hodgson limo tender, an 11.8-metre Naiad for 16 guests, an 8.24-metre Riva, and a 6.3-metre Fassmer. Toys include Jet Skis, Seabobs, e-foils, a slide, and a large floating platform.

“KISMET has a sporty and fluid character that conceals a very voluminous interior and abundant natural light, thanks to hull windows among the largest ever built,” says Carlo Nuvolari. “The mast, with its unmistakable lines, makes the yacht recognizable even from a great distance. Now that we see the completed yacht — we, who are familiar with every detail — are still impressed by the result.”

“KISMET is truly a masterpiece,” concludes Reymond. “A cathedral of design where many concepts, ideas, and a sense of history come together beautifully in harmony. A floating land of contrast.”

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