“Nixie”: What the 102-metre Lürssen has to offer for 2.4 million euros a week

The Delivery and maiden voyage of the ‘Nixie’ BOOTE EXCLUSIV had already reported this months ago. During the Monaco Yacht Show The editorial team were on board the new vessel and, with this photo gallery, offer a glimpse of the six decks of this impressive 3,014-tonne vessel. We also reveal what Charter guests for a charter fee of 2.4 million euros per week.

Well-balanced proportions for “Nixie”

“Nixie” is characterised by flowing, curved lines that lend it an almost organic quality. The interplay of light and shadow creates a continuous impression of movement, whilst its substantial volume is barely discernible. The exterior paintwork is finished in a specially developed ‘Nixie’ grey. Structural glazing with graduated tinting creates the impression that glass and steel are merging rather than merely meeting. Every single pane of glass has been individually shaped, further blurring the boundary between the hull and the superstructure. Even the mast has been refined beyond the proportions typical for a yacht of this size and subjected to extensive wind tunnel testing in Copenhagen to optimise airflow.

“Designing a yacht with universal appeal requires a high degree of discipline,” says shipyard director Peter Lürßen. “When RWD presented the initial design sketches, we had little choice but to build them. Every yacht presents its own unique challenges, and almost every Lürssen introduces something groundbreaking. We couldn’t have wished for a better partner than RWD to bring this project to fruition.”

As RWD was responsible for the entire design – from the exterior architecture, through the interior layout and choice of furniture, to the curatorial supervision of the artworks – “Nixie” boasts a remarkable sense of design coherence. Although each deck was designed for a specific purpose, a consistent material and design language runs throughout the entire yacht. This creates a harmonious overall impression without compromising the different requirements of private family life and a high-end charter operation.

​The floors are finished in Indian teak or covered with deep, soft carpets. The interiors have been deliberately designed with a minimalist aesthetic, allowing art and furniture to define the respective areas. No stainless steel is used anywhere in the interior. Instead, bronze and brass have been chosen to create a warmer ambience. Whitewashed oak serves as a consistent material theme, the character of which changes from deck to deck.

“Nixie” can accommodate 20 guests and 34 crew members. Power is provided by a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system developed by Lürssen’s own engineering specialists. This enables the yacht to reach speeds of up to 19 knots and has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

The owner of the “Nixie” wanted an XL pool

The main deck connects a casually furnished cabana lounge with the open aft deck. According to the shipyard, floor-to-ceiling glass doors can be retracted into the structure. Behind this lies the 7.5-metre-long pool, part of which is situated above the bathing platform. Its double glass wall creates an infinity effect when the water level is high; a lower water level is designed to make it easier for children to use. The pool floor can be switched between transparent and opaque.

The location of the pool is not only striking from a design perspective. “The swimming pool is a key design element that gives this area its character and, at the same time, required a high degree of engineering discipline,” says Tanja Peters, project manager at Lürssen. “The structure had to meet strict requirements in terms of load-bearing capacity and technical systems. At the same time, the large glass surfaces and the unusual shape called for innovative solutions for integrating the overflow, drainage and water treatment systems. The surrounding area also had to be taken into account – in particular the large movable structural elements such as the gangway and the stern door beneath the pool.”

​The aft deck is tastefully furnished and features several lounge and conversation areas, a wet bar with a marble worktop, and an outdoor dining area beneath the overhang of the owner’s deck. The Fletcher table seats twelve people and can be rotated and extended to accommodate up to 22 guests. Together, the main deck and the cabana lounge form a seamless indoor-outdoor environment designed for socialising and relaxation.

A central lobby and a glass lift mark the transition between the communal and private areas. This deck is home to six spacious guest cabins. Four of these feature their own lounge areas, king-size beds and marble-clad bathrooms with waterfall showers or baths. The remaining two suites are each fitted with two queen-size beds, offering additional flexibility for family members and charter guests.

​Lower Deck and Beach Club

The lower deck is entirely dedicated to health and wellbeing and is home to one of the largest beach clubs ever fitted out on a Lürssen yacht. The swim platform combines open and sheltered areas, with the outermost aft section fully open to the sea. The flexible furnishings include sun loungers and nest armchairs. Two cream-coloured benches frame the recessed area beneath the swimming pool.

​Wide, curved aft staircases lead up to the main deck and the Cabana Lounge. The Beach Club, situated at sea level, is accessed via a hatch in the transom. This has been designed to rotate around a vertical axis. When open, it sits flush with the Indian teak deck, with no visible seals or steps. The 270-square-metre Beach Club comprises a lounge, a bar, a dining area and a large gym. The gym can be separated from the rest of the area by two glass doors with a louvre design. A steam shower and a cryotherapy chamber complete the wellness facilities.

Owner’s suite with the best view

The owners’ deck on the “Nixie” offers a more sophisticated social atmosphere. Thanks to its floor-to-ceiling glazing, the Skylounge offers sweeping panoramic views. It comprises a formal dining area for twelve people as well as a lounge. This flows seamlessly into the elegant open-plan entertainment deck, which is equipped with generous seating, a bar and a teppanyaki grill. Alongside the private owner’s suite, this deck features three exclusive VIP cabins, intended for the owner’s children. Each features a king-size bed, a private lounge and its own marble-fitted bathroom.

The owner’s suite offers a 270-degree view of the surroundings. Directly above the king-size bed is a large elliptical skylight with a brushed bronze frame. Separate bathrooms for him and her, a dressing area, a study and an outdoor lounge discreetly situated behind the bow complete the master suite. The bow, which features a helipad, is also suitable for touch-and-go operations.

​Bridge deck with a fire pit

There is a third lounge on the bridge deck. It is furnished with two elliptical, cream-coloured sofas, bespoke ottomans and gaming armchairs, which create a cosy cinema-like atmosphere. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors can be opened fully. The teak flooring in the outdoor area and the marble flooring indoors are precisely matched, ensuring there is no physical threshold between the two areas.

At the stern, the bridge deck offers a private area for outdoor living. Seating areas and large sofas are arranged around a circular ethanol fire pit. Behind the fire pit, a screen can be set up for open-air film screenings. Wrapping decks connect the lounge to a spacious outdoor area offering a 360-degree view.

Wellness and relaxation can be found right at the top

The top deck is entirely dedicated to well-being. It is accessible only via the stairs or the central glass lift, making it one of the most private areas on board. Light oak and ribbed stone surfaces lend the space a deliberately calming atmosphere. Situated between the two open decks at the bow and stern are a beauty salon, a massage room and a spacious whirlpool with a waterfall shower.

It is unusual to position the wellness deck at the very top. However, this creates an area shielded from the rest of the yacht, where the owner can relax with her friends, or a couple can unwind in complete privacy – with a spa and a comprehensive wellness experience in the sunshine. The forward deck is framed by benches and a central, forward-facing sofa. Instead of the more traditional observation seats, this area thus offers ample seating for a larger group without feeling cramped.

A glass railing, designed without steel struts, ensures that the area can be used whilst the boat is underway without obstructing the view ahead. At the stern, the wellness concept continues with a steam room, a separate sauna, a hot tub and several seating areas.

Efficient hybrid drive system

The propulsion concept combines two MTU diesel engines with two Reintjes hybrid transmissions. Their PTO/PTI function allows power to be drawn off via the shaft system for electricity generation (Power Take-Off) or for electrical power to be fed into the powertrain (Power Take-In). For the latter, the data sheet specifies two electric drives, each rated at 300 kilowatts. Six Corvus Orca battery packs store a combined total of 474 kilowatt-hours; three Scania generator sets are also part of the system. A 300-kilowatt bow thruster from Brunvoll and a 240-kilowatt stern thruster from Voith assist with manoeuvring.

Technical Specifications for “Nixie”

More Lürssen articles:

​Lürssen reports record deliveries

​Lürssen bids farewell to the 80-metre ‘Refugium’

​110-metre ‘O3’ completes trial runs

Click here to read about the history of Lürssen here.