Ahead of the Ft. Lauderdale boat show, CL Yachts has released renderings of their newest offering, the CLB88, a boat the company calls “a classic motoryacht reimagined.”
Days before the start of the 60th annual Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, CL Yachts has offered Power & Motoryacht readers a first look at the model they plan to announce in the coming days: the CLB88.
The goal for this newcomer to the CL Yachts lineup (formerly Cheoy Lee Yachts) is ambitious: “We want to make a statement and further establish CL Yachts,” says project manager Hans Lo. “This is going to be the classic motoryacht reimagined.”
Renderings, especially those of the salon, show the 88 should be in the running for most amount of glass and natural light in its size range and class. Lo says that while they want to bring the outside in, unlike some of their competitors they also want to ensure “that you still feel like you’re aboard a boat.”
The salon looks to feature single-level living with movable furniture and a dining table for eight forward. A forward galley should offer plenty of space for the chef to prepare meals, but its the aesthetic I find most interesting, it skews much more casual than some past Cheoy Lees I’ve tested.
Helping to bring this breath of fresh air to CL Yachts is jozeph forakis … design. A studio based in New York and Milan, they have vast experience outside the yachting industry. With a background that spans fashion, tech, furniture and lighting among many others, it’s clear that this new set of eyes is bringing a new look to the brand as it continues to reinvent itself.
On his role working with CL Yachts, Forakis says, “While honoring the rich heritage of the parent company, the new identity signals a clean break aimed to appeal to an entirely new generation of yacht owners and enthusiasts. It is simple, authentic, honest.”
A four-stateroom model, the master is full beam amidships with not one but two equal-sized VIPs forward and another guest stateroom with twin berths to port. The equal-sized VIPs and the amount of space they look to offer should be highly attractive among buyers in this size range. Also appealing for those who prefer to travel with crew are the well-appointed quarters with two additional cabins aft.
The first CLB88 is slated to be delivered this spring. With a fresh look and styling and the uncompromising construction the ship builder is known for, it stands to reason that the CLB 88 will be a winning combination.
