New Boat: CLB88

The Hong Kong-based builder’s new flagship blends innovative engineering with luxury accommodations.

The much-anticipated CLB88, the second model in the CLB series by Hong Kong-headquartered CL Yachts, debuted in August ahead of the planned world premiere in the U.S. at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Milan-based designer Jozeph Forakis designed the interior and exterior in his first yacht design. The company’s new flagship has a RINA-certified hull that planes when underway, tracking smoothly and rising to avoid spray on the bow in most conditions. It was built in consultation with structural engineering firm and composite developer Gurit, utilizing carbon-fiber and advanced resin-infusion technology.

The main-deck salon plays on a long sweep of marine teak flooring laid from aft to helm station, with matching ceiling paneling. “Everything is on one level, so it’s less hazardous,” says Hans Lo, CL Yachts’ Deputy Director. “It’s not an easy task in design. You often see levels going up and down to give headroom downstairs in the cabins. It takes a lot of juggling to have that and keep one level upstairs.”

Salon visibility and sightlines are uninterrupted, with large unobstructed windows accentuating a sense of openness. Forward of the dining area, a counter-cum-serving hatch overlooks the galley and helm. For privacy, its semi-opaque, ridged-glass windows can be closed by remote control, as can matching glass-door access.

A square marble-topped island counter has twin steel basins. Ample space around the island allows for easy access to a dishwasher, large oven, one of three icemakers on board, a freezer and deep fridge drawers. The galley’s main double-door fridge is unusually large.

Just forward of the island counter and utilities are the only two raised areas, a dinette and the helm, to allow elevated visibility for both. A day head at the cockpit end of the salon features walnut veneer on cabinetry, which uses light honeycomb construction material to reduce weight and offset heavier wood and stone surfaces.

In the cockpit, there is broad banquette seating by a riser table with a French-polished teak veneer top. A few steps away is a small bar counter with refrigerator, ice machine and storage for drinks and glassware.

At the stern is access to the crew quarters and a sizeable engine room containing the twin 1,600-hp Caterpillar C32 engines. Further aft, the submersible swim platform can hold a tender, as can the aft area of the flybridge with the addition of a davit crane.

The flybridge can be reached by either cockpit or spiral salon stairwells. The fully open-sided upper deck is spacious enough for several groups of people to fit comfortably between the main dining table, long wet bar counter, grill station, aft sun lounge and forward helm station with companion seating for two.

Back downstairs, the wide side decks lead to the bow’s banquette and sun pads, which overlook a large stainless-steel windlass and anchor that form focal points at the prow.

On the lower deck, the CLB88 fits two full-beam staterooms midships, making the most of the yacht’s 22-foot, 6-inch width, and there is a twin cabin and a double in the bow. The roomy en-suite heads combine tactile wood veneers, marbles and high-quality composites.

CL Yachts hopes the 88-footer will enjoy similar popularity to its little sister, the CLB72. “We know that in this size category, the CLB88 has a very attractive price for what you’re getting,” Lo says.