CL Yachts flagship CLX96 SAV makes world debut in Fort Lauderdale

The first 29.5 metre CLX96 SAV (Sea Activity Vessel) has made her debut at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. The flagship of the CL Yachts range, the yacht has been specifically designed for the American market and has a rugged profile by Milan-based designer Jozeph Forakis.

CL Yachts approached Forakis, who was also responsible for the yacht’s interior, in 2017 and asked him to “rethink yacht design and yachting experiences”.

“They gave me a clean slate to conceive a new vision for the yacht of today and tomorrow,” Forakis said.  “With in-depth research methodologies and a focus on intelligent design, complementing my passion for sailing and ‘outsiders’’ imagination and dreams, the result is a vessel that departs from convention.”

The model’s industrial exterior styling borrows design cues from workboats, with a two-level deckhouse and an inverted windshield that will enable her to tackle rough seas far better than a traditionally raked windshield. The yacht’s distinctive design also features a bold double-reverse-angle profile.

“Unprecedented amounts of light penetrate the interiors – made possible by advanced composite structures with lightweight, thin, strong mullions allowing oversize windows throughout,” explains Forakis.

This design change can be seen in the open plan living space where a lack of pillars allow for clear views from aft deck to bow. This area is also home to a country-style galley, with as island and bar area, and a champagne lounge.

Accommodation is for eight guests in four lower deck cabins.  The full beam-owner’s stateroom has a striking skylight above the king size bed as well as a his-and-hers ensuite in the bow. There is also a full beam VIP cabin that has a unique virtual skylight that shows live camera footage.

Other key features include a “sky deck” with al fresco dining aft and an expansive beach club with a hydraulic, submerging swim platform.

Balancing speed and long-range performance, the CLX96 offers excellent interior volume, coupled with top speeds between 24 and 25 knots at full speed and full load. She is powered by twin Caterpillar C32 engines.

“From the very beginning, both form and function were evaluated concurrently to combine the bold geometry of CLX96 with the proper hull form,” explains the yacht’s naval architect Earl Alfaro. “The result is a thoroughly modern vessel from the waterline up, complemented by exceptional performance achieved through an in-depth analysis of her hydrodynamic properties and an innovative approach to applying proven principles in planing hull naval architecture.”

The yacht has a 1.62 metre draft will allow her to access shallow bays and is also equipped with 15,520 litre fuel tanks to ensure long range cruising.