At 146 meters in length and with an estimated gross tonnage of 10,500 GT, Project Defy is both the largest yacht by length and by volume currently being built by Lürssen - and the second-largest yacht under construction worldwide, behind the 182.9-meter REV Ocean, which may technically be classified as a research vessel rather than a private yacht.
Project Defy Emerges From Lürssen’s Bremen Facility
The first public sighting followed her exit from the Bremen shed, where her steel hull and aluminum superstructure were seen in full for the first time. Until now, the project had remained tightly guarded, with no renderings or interior previews released.
The yacht’s elegant lines feature full-height curved glazing forward and smooth window arcs across the upper decks, reminiscent of Lürssen’s Alaiya but executed on a far grander scale. Alaiya was designed inside and out by Winch Design, and given the similarities in styling, it is possible that Winch is also behind the design of Project Defy.
Her sheer line slopes gently aft, opening to large, uncluttered deck areas both forward and astern that appear designed for guest use and open-air lounging.
Project Defy: Exterior Features and Layout Hints
Closer examination of the yacht suggests several key design features. Project Defy appears to have two helipads - one located on the foredeck and another positioned on the upper aft deck. The large recessed section on the aft main deck appears designed to accommodate a glass-bottom pool positioned above the beach club, allowing natural light to filter through to the space below.
There also seems to be an observation lounge on the upper deck, characterized by a distinctive curved-glass front, as well as a forward-facing master suite that may feature a skylight overhead. While these details remain unconfirmed, the visual cues indicate a focus on transparency, light, and expansive sightlines.
Dimensions, Design, and a Hybrid Power System
Project Defy measures 146.2 meters in length, with a beam of 20.5 meters and a draft of 5.4 meters. Built to Cayman Islands flag rules and Lloyd’s Register classification, the motor yacht features a full-displacement steel hull with an aluminum superstructure and teak decks.
A dedicated helipad is visible on the main foredeck, emphasizing the vessel’s functional scale. Below deck, Project Defy is rumored to employ a hybrid propulsion arrangement featuring electric motors supported by five General Electric 8L250 diesel generators. Each unit is understood to produce around 3,399 horsepower (2,500 kW) at 900 rpm, delivering a total potential output near 17,000 horsepower (12,500 kW). Power is expected to be delivered via triple azimuth thrusters, providing strong maneuverability and multiple operating modes.
If confirmed, the system would allow flexible transitions between electric and diesel drive, optimizing performance, range, and onboard quietness when required - an approach increasingly favored in Lürssen’s new-generation builds.
The Largest Project in Lürssen’s Current Lineup
Project Defy is currently Lürssen’s largest publicly known build. With 12 superyacht projects active across its yards, according to YachtBuyer Market Watch - the largest yacht database in the world, the German builder continues to push scale, innovation, and secrecy.
In previous launches, Lürssen has flirted with hybrid and even fuel-cell systems; for example, their Project Cosmos is expected to incorporate methanol-based fuel cell tech. Dragonfly, a 142 m Lürssen delivered in 2024, employed a diesel-electric hybrid configuration featuring PTI/PTO units and electric azimuth pod drives.
Project Defy is scheduled for delivery around April 2027, when she will enter the prestigious YachtBuyer YB100 rankings at approximately 13th place among the world’s biggest yachts.
With her vast scale, advanced hybrid capabilities, and contemporary profile, Project Defy represents the next step in Lürssen’s evolution of technical refinement and design sophistication. As outfitting progresses in Bremen, further details are expected to emerge about her interior layout, design collaborators, and performance targets.
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