Sometimes we journalists don’t get access to megayachts the way we plan. The reasons are as varied as the yachts themselves: construction delays, bad weather messing up flights and/or cruises, you name it. Sometimes it’s the owners, however, who change their plans–and I don’t always blame them. That’s what happened when Lurssen intended to take a group of us on a tour of Kismet at September’s Monaco Yacht Show. A few weeks prior, the owners apparently informed the yard that they were enjoying their first summer season so much that they wanted to extend their time aboard. Well, after finally getting a good look at the 223-footer at the recent Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, I understand why.
Kismet is a yacht with living spaces that not only serve double duty for family gatherings and large business meetings, but also put a twist on traditional space planning. A good example is the saloon, which aboard this yacht is better referred to as the main-deck lounge. More than just an area featuring groupings of chairs and settees for a relaxing atmosphere, it’s actually comprised of two rooms: a lounge (with a baby grand piano) and a cinema, divided by a partition containing a television that can be watched from either side. The formal dining room is another highlight. Located on the bridge deck, it benefits from excellent views, but it also serves as a private conference room should corporate issues need to be discussed.
On the technical end, Kismet shows why Lurssen has earned a reputation for delivering more than glitz and glamour. The two-level engine room has so much space that a technician in a cherry-picker bucket could get a good look at the twin 1,957-hp Caterpillar engines. More than 53,000 gallons of fuel combine with those engines’ power to permit a range of 5,000 miles at 12 knots. She’s also built to comply with the MCA Code and one of the highest classifications of Lloyd’s: + 100 Al SSC Yacht Mono G6 LMC UMS.
There’s so much more to this yacht than meets the eye. My colleague Grant Rafter will explain why in a feature article in the February issue of Power & Motoryacht.
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