Let's be honest. When you and I think about superyachts, our minds probably go straight to the Mediterranean. We picture those sleek, white, arrow-shaped boats slicing through the water off the coast of Monaco, all gleaming chrome and dark sunglasses, built for one thing: getting to the next party, fast. They're incredible, don't get me wrong. They're fighter jets for the water.
But then, there’s another kind of yacht. The kind that doesn't scream, but rumbles. The kind that isn't built to just visit the same hotspots, but to disappear over the horizon for weeks, or even months, at a time. The kind built not just for luxury, but for survival, for capability, for the adventure of seeing the world on your own terms.
This... is the story of that other kind of yacht.
I'm talking about the 121-foot (36.8m) JASMINE. And I'm telling you right now, this vessel is one of the most interesting "pocket explorers" on the planet. And the story of how she was born? It’s pure legend.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
The 10-Minute Deal That Changed Everything
So, get this. The man who commissioned JASMINE wasn't some rookie with new money looking for the flashiest toy. He was a keen, experienced sailor. He understood the sea. He knew what a real boat felt like. And he had a deep admiration for the work of the Dutch design-house Vripack, a studio legendary for their rugged, no-nonsense, go-anywhere explorer yachts.
He was particularly obsessed with a 151-foot Vripack-designed yacht called TURMOIL, a vessel famous for its robust, seaworthy capabilities.
As the story goes, this owner was in Holland on a business trip. He decides, on the back of this admiration, to just... pop in. He visits Dick Boon, the head of Vripack, at his office in Friesland. They sit down. The owner knows what he wants. He respects the Vripack DNA.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
Ten. Minutes. Later.
He walked out of that office having ordered a 35-meter yacht.
Just think about that. Ten minutes! I've spent more time agonizing over a coffee order. This man, in less time than it takes to watch a YouTube video, commissioned a multi-million dollar, trans-oceanic vessel. That's a level of decisiveness and clarity of vision that is just staggering.
But it also tells you everything you need to know about Vripack's reputation. You don't make that kind of move unless you have 110% faith in the team you're hiring.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
So, Who Builds a Legend?
Okay, so you've got a killer design from the best explorer-minds in the business. Now, who do you trust to actually build it?
This is where the story gets even cooler. The build wasn't sent to a yard in Italy or Germany, as you might expect. The owner and Vripack chose RMK Marine in Turkey. Now, if you're not a full-blown yacht nerd (and hey, no judgment), you might not know the name. But in the industry, RMK has a rock-solid reputation for two things: incredible technical prowess and, let's be real, very competitive pricing. They're known for building tough, commercial-grade vessels alongside their luxury yachts. This means they know how to build a boat that can take a punch.
This decision was brilliant. It meant the owner could get a full-custom, Dutch-designed, steel-hulled explorer, built to insane standards, for a value that was simply unbeatable.
And here’s the kicker: during the build, they decided to make a change. The owner wanted more deck space (always a good idea). So, they decided to lengthen the hull by two meters, or about six feet.
In the world of custom shipbuilding, a change like that mid-build is a nightmare. It can throw off timelines, destroy budgets, and create endless engineering headaches.
But on the JASMINE project? No big deal. The team (RMK, Vripack, and the owner’s project manager) worked so harmoniously that they absorbed this massive change, integrated it flawlessly... and still delivered the yacht on time and on budget.
JASMINE was launched in 2003, a 36.84-meter monument to good design, smart decisions, and incredible build quality. And in 2018, she received a refit to make sure she was completely up-to-date.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
Correcting a Common Myth
Now, I want to pause here because it's important. When people talk about RMK Marine, they often, and rightly, bring up the legendary designer Ron Holland. He penned some incredible yachts with them, like the stunning 45-meter KARIA.
But JASMINE is different. Her story, her entire DNA, belongs to Vripack.
This isn't a Ron Holland boat. This is a Vripack boat, through and through. And that's not a knock on Ron Holland—he's a genius. But Vripack are the masters of this specific genre. They are the ones who perfected the high-volume, high-comfort, long-range explorer. JASMINE is a pure-blooded example of their "holistic design" philosophy, where the naval architecture, the exterior, and the interior are all conceived as one single, harmonious entity.
So, why does this matter? Because Vripack didn't just style this yacht. They engineered her from the keel up to be a fortress.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
The "Go-Anywhere" Guts: Why JASMINE is NOT a Normal Yacht
This is my favorite part. Let's look under the hood.
When you buy a "normal" 120-foot yacht, you're almost certainly buying a hull made of GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic, or "fiberglass"). It's light, it's fast, it's relatively cheap to build.
JASMINE? Nope. She has a full-displacement STEEL hull.
What does that mean in plain English? It means she's a tank. A steel hull is what container ships and icebreakers are made of. It's heavy, it's unbelievably strong, and it gives the yacht a feeling of safety and stability in rough seas that you just cannot get from GRP. When a big wave hits, JASMINE doesn't skitter or slap—she pushes through it. That heavy steel hull, combined with her Naiad stabilizers, means she's comfortable even when the weather is trying to ruin your day.
Her superstructure (the "white bit" on top) is made of aluminum and GRP, which is smart design. You want the weight low (steel hull) and the upper parts light (aluminum) to keep the center of gravity down. See? It's all about seakeeping.
But the hull is only part one of the "explorer" equation. Part two is the really mind-blowing number.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
Her range.
A typical 120-foot planing yacht might—might—have a range of 1,000 nautical miles if you're lucky and you drive it like a saint.
JASMINE is powered by two famously reliable, non-fussy Caterpillar 670hp diesel engines. These aren't high-strung racing engines; they're workhorses designed to run for thousands of hours. They push her along at a steady, comfortable cruising speed of 10-12 knots (about 12-14 mph).
At that speed, JASMINE has a maximum range of over 5,100 nautical miles.
Let me put that in perspective for you.
Transatlantic Crossing (East to West): About 3,000 nautical miles.
Los Angeles to Hawaii: About 2,200 nautical miles.
She holds 71,110 liters (that's over 18,700 gallons) of fuel. This isn't a yacht; it's a private, mobile island. She gives her owner the one thing that is the ultimate luxury: total freedom.
The freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want, without ever having to ask, "Is there a fuel dock nearby?" With JASMINE, the answer is, "Who cares?"
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
A Look Inside: The "Explorer's" Lair
So, she's a beast on the outside. She must be all-business and boring on the inside, right? All function, no form?
Wrong. So, so wrong.
Remember that Vripack holistic design? They penned the initial interior concepts, and then the project was brought to life by a collaboration with Act Studio and Birgul Vargi. This team created an interior that is the perfect antidote to the "minimalist white box" you see on so many modern boats.
The best word for it is warm. It’s a "home" on the water.
You see a ton of gorgeous, high-gloss, warm-toned woods. Think cherry or mahogany. It’s classic, it's timeless, and it has a richness that makes you feel instantly comfortable. The vibe is "gentleman's club" or "classic library," but with huge windows and way better views.
The main salon is a perfect ć example. You’ll find plush, comfortable sofas, deep armchairs, intricate coffee tables, and classic, soft lighting. It’s a space that's designed for people to actually sit, talk, read a book, and relax for hours on end—not just a space to "entertain" for 30 minutes before heading to a nightclub.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
This classic, cozy theme continues into the five staterooms. JASMINE accommodates 10 guests in a layout that’s perfect for family and friends.
1 x Owner's Cabin: A full-beam suite that’s a private sanctuary.
2 x Double Cabins
2 x Twin Cabins
Every cabin is finished in that same rich wood, with cozy-looking fabrics and marble-clad ensuite bathrooms. These aren't sterile hotel rooms; they feel like bedrooms in a beautiful, classic country estate. It's the kind of place you'd be happy to be "stuck" in for a week-long ocean crossing.
And she’s got a crew of 8, which is a fantastic ratio for 10 guests. That ensures that while you're on this rugged, globe-trotting adventure, you are still being looked after with 5-star service.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
Living the JASMINE Life: Decks & Toys
Okay, so she’s tough and she’s cozy. But is she fun?
Oh, yeah. Her four-deck layout is classic explorer-style, and it’s brilliant.
Main Deck: This is your "arrival" deck. You walk onto a spacious, shaded aft deck with a big dining table for all your alfresco meals. This is where you'll live, eat, and laugh. Walking inside, you pass through that cozy main salon and a formal dining area, eventually reaching the owner's suite, which is perfectly placed forward for privacy.
Upper Deck (Bridge Deck): This is one of my favorite spots. You have the "sky lounge"—a second, more informal salon that’s perfect for movie nights or just escaping with a good book. This is also where the Captain lives. The wheelhouse is up here, a high-tech command center with 180-degree views where all the serious navigation happens. Outside on the upper aft deck, you'll find more seating and often the space where the yacht's main "tenders" (the smaller boats) are stored while underway.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
The Sun Deck: This is the crown jewel. The very top deck is all about fun in the sun. On JASMINE, you’ll find a huge Jacuzzi, which is pretty much non-negotiable. It’s surrounded by a massive array of sunpads, letting you and all your guests soak up the rays. There's almost always a bar, a grill, and more casual seating up here. This is your party spot, your private beach club in the sky, with the best 360-degree views in the house.
Lower Deck: This is where the guest cabins are located, down in the most stable and quiet part of the boat. It’s also where you'll find the crew quarters, galley (kitchen), and the engine room—the beating heart of the vessel.g
Because she's an explorer, she’s also packed with water toys. Think jet skis, Seabobs, paddleboards, kayaks, and all the snorkeling and diving gear you could ever need. The whole point of an explorer is to get to remote, beautiful places—the toys are the tools you use to explore them when you arrive.
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| JASMINE: RMK marine's Steel-Hulled vripack explorer |
The JASMINE Legacy
So, what have we learned?
We've learned that JASMINE isn't just another pretty boat. She is a statement. She’s the physical manifestation of a 10-minute decision made by an owner who knew exactly what he wanted: a boat that was not a compromise.
She is a perfect blend of worlds:
Dutch Design: The Vripack DNA gives her an unimpeachable pedigree and go-anywhere capability.
Turkish Build: The RMK Marine construction gives her a robust, steel-hulled toughness at an incredible value.
Classic Interior: Her warm, wood-filled interior makes her a true home, not just a showpiece.
Insane Performance: That 5,100+ nautical mile range makes her one of the most capable yachts in her size class on the planet.
This is a yacht built for someone who doesn't just want to be seen in St. Tropez. This is a yacht built for someone who wants to see the fjords of Alaska, the remote islands of the South Pacific, or the icy wonders of the Antarctic.
She’s a wolf in gentleman's clothing. A quiet, confident, capable beast that doesn't need to shout about what she can do. She just does it.
And it all started because one man knew what he wanted, and didn't waste a second.